What Can a Man Give?
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. Matthew 16:24-28
“What can a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Jesus beautifully and piercingly asked the disciples, “What can a man give in exchange for his soul?” I believe the implied answer is nothing. There is nothing a woman or a man can give to save the soul, unless it is something given to God. Only when we give our life to God, are we given the ability to fruitfully give to others.
When I think of giving and serving and living rightly, I think of the charge found in this gospel chapter. That to save one’s life means to lose it, and that one can gain the whole entire world while forfeiting one’s soul. So, it seems, we must give to lose and we must give without the intention of gaining the world or even our soul.
As one who often feels he has little to give, it is comforting to rest in the simple command to give oneself. Though resources may be small, clout minimal, and abilities weak, the giving of self is an endeavor in which all may participate.
This parable reminds me of another, The Widow’s Offering. A poor, widowed woman knew well that it was impossible to give something in exchange for one’s soul; aside from the diseased, there were likely none beneath her. And yet, her contribution was counted greater than that of wealthy men.
I live well within such passages, where I am given the courage to live within my means. It is an invaluable experience to give joyfully and within one’s means.
