All Her Living

The Bible Dictionary describes the law of consecration in these words, “The law of consecration is a divine principle whereby men and women voluntarily dedicate their time, talents, and material wealth to the establishment and building up of God’s kingdom.” To accept the law of consecration means that we are willing to give anything that the Lord asks to Him, whether that is our time or money or talents or possessions. His teachings in the four gospels showed that this is what He expected of people. For example, He said to one, “Follow me,” and the person replied, “Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.” Jesus replied, “Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” Similarly another said, “Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.” Jesus again responded, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:59-62). I don’t believe that Jesus was suggesting that family shouldn’t be important to us, but building up the kingdom of God and doing His will should be our first priority. Like the widow who cast in “all that she had, even all her living” the Lord wants us to be ready to give everything to Him—serving Him should be what matters most to us (Mark 12:44).  On another occasion a rich young man asked Him, “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” After ensuring this man kept all the commandments He said, “One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” This does not mean that each of us to follow Him must give up all our possessions, but it does mean that we should be willing to do so. If the Lord required that of us, we should be ready to offer all for the kingdom of God. But more likely the Lord will ask of us a sacrifice of time to serve in this or that way, and many of us also “[go] away grieved: for [we have] great” demands on our time already (Mark 10:21-22).

I think that the principle of consecration is encapsulated will in these words of the Savior to His disciples when they sought for prominence. He said, “Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-45). To be great in the eyes of the world we will accumulate much wealth, many positions, and much power over others. But to be great in the eyes of the Savior we will give away much, humbly minister to others, and even offer our lives in the service of others. That is exactly what the law of consecration invites us to do—give up what we have for others, humbly serve and help those in need, and offer our lives to Him. If required we should be willing to even offer our lives in death, but more likely we will be required to offer our lives in living. Elder Holland was once asked if He would give His life for Jesus and his response was something like this: “I thought that’s what I was doing.” We each can live each day offering our time and talents and means to serve the Savior in whatever way He needs us, and that is consecration. More than just giving up our money, it means giving our hearts to the Savior and loving Him with all our souls. Like the widow with her two mites, we should strive to give to Him “all [our] living” and we will truly be living the law of consecration.