100%

In a setting reminiscent of a Kay Jewelers commercial,  we peek in on a young couple, laughing softly in the flickering candlelight. As the gentle background music reaches a crescendo,  the handsome young man leaves his loved ones side assuming the time worn, down-on-one- knee position.  Hankies at the ready, we swoon as his poetic words pledge all his undying love. The small, black velvet box appears, the lovely lady’s eyes brim with tears as the dazzling ring is revealed.  Her glowing face looks up adoringly into his, the words of her heart  escape her trembling lips, “Yes, my darling, I will marry you, and I vow to love with 90% of my heart!!”  Stop the cameras!!  Say what??  While 90% might be a pretty fine score on an algebra exam, in a marital relationship a spouse should expect nothing less than 100%.  What or whom are you saving that extra 10% for?  Even old Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra, crooned, “…if I’m gonna love you, it’s for sure I’m gonna love you, All the way…”  It just would lose so much if he had  replaced ALL with 90%!!  LOL.

In a similar vein, think of a basketball locker room at half time.  The well-respected coach stands before  his players, encouraging them to give their all. With each head nodding agreement, the team blurts out, “We’re going out and giving it 75%, Coach!!”.  Duh.  Sounds crazy doesn’t it?  When someone we love and trust pledges 100% to us, they deserve 100% back.  Lopsided numbers make for bumpy rides.  So why is it,  knowing full well that Jesus gave 100% of himself for us, we find it so difficult to reciprocate?  We come up with all kinds of excellent, pie chart rationalizations, like: “I have to hold a percent back for family, job, good-deed doing, etc., Jesus.  You understand, right?”   Looks good on paper, but doesn’t hold up with God.

So, here’s the good news.  When we give our all, 100%, to him, he does the math.  The time or talent  that we thought we had to hold back, he multiplies supernaturally.  Check the Bible for yourself.  I can’t think of any one who was rewarded for giving less; Ananias and Sapphira; the servant who buried his talents, you get my point.  On the other hand, those who “coughed it all up” were blessed beyond measure; the widow, who Elijah visited, was down to her last bit of flour and oil, but God kept it from running out. Take some time today to check your percentages, make sure you’re giving the full 100%.  “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back." Luke 6:38.