Have you made any contributions to the society?

Matthew 20:28  (ESV)

Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

An elderly mother in Scotland had given up her son to the work of the Lord as a pastor and missionary.

One day she went to the missionary society that had sponsored him. At the door she was asked, "Have you made any contributions to the society?"

"I am afraid not," she answered. As this was a meeting only for those who had supported the society, she was refused admittance.

As she walked away, she thought of her son who had, years before, gone as a missionary to Sierra Leone in West Africa. His body was buried in that distant land. Quickly, she retraced her steps to the building.

She explained to the man at the door, "I forgot. You asked me if I had made any contributions. I gave my only son, and he is buried in Sierra Leone."

The doorkeeper removed his cap, bowed graciously, and said, "Come in." He led her to a front seat.

Today, we look at God's giving. We are talking about the giving of God's Son, who embraced death so that eternal death will no longer be a fearful and frightening thing.

Can you imagine how poor our lives would be if God had not sent His Son to die in the foreign land of Earth? Even those who are not Christians can understand their lives would be poorer, as they would have to think of a world without many of our universities and hospitals, the medicines left undiscovered, the social ministries never begun.

Truly, much has been done in the Name of Jesus who taught us how to serve.

But Jesus did more than teach us how to give. His entire life was a gift: a sacrifice that was made so many could be ransomed. Jesus died to free us from oppression, depression and fear. He died to give us eternal life.

For all that He has done, it is only right, it is only appropriate, only fitting the Savior should be welcomed into our hearts and be given the place of highest honor and respect.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your death to save us. Please live with us and never depart. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.