Luke 21:1-4 (NLT)
While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
“Lukewarm people give money to charity and to the church…as long as it doesn't impinge on their standard of living If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so. After all, GOD loves a cheerful giver, right?” (page 69)
God Bless America. We live in the richest country in the world. Yes, even our little patch of buckshot and poverty is among the wealthier on earth. You will spend more money today than most of the world makes in a week, month, or in worst cases, a year. That’s correct. This isn't one of Provine’s profound literary embellishments. Most of the world lives on a few dollars a day. We spend three times as much when we hit the drive-thru. For one meal. While I’m not writing this to make you feel some false sense of guilt, I do want to get your attention. Rather, GOD wants attention drawn to this tragedy. We, as believers, generally give to the church and other charities at comfortable levels, out of our abundance. As with everything, its reversed in the kingdom of GOD. We are shown examples of people who gave out of their need. They gave everything they had. Think of the widow and Elijah or the woman giving her two pennies when everyone around her unloaded their bank faults or the early church members who sold everything to give to those in need..
Giving is about the heart in which we do it so more than anything else. Are we giving because GOD gave us first? Or are we giving because it’s the “right” thing to do and is expected of any acceptable church goer. You will find the more you give, the more you end up getting. Maybe not in financial reward but in the eternal. We don’t give more intentionally to get more. (At least I hope not). But it’s a principle throughout Scripture. GOD multiplies faithfulness many times over.
“So, Provine,” you may say. “We break even every month. How can we possible give more to the church, charities, or friends in need?”
“Thank you for asking,” I reply. And then offer some of the following tips:
Live on less.
Don’t buy that thing you really don’t need. Impulse buying.
Curb your eating out and cook as a family at home.
Ride a bike to work.
Carpool.
Raid the food pantry at church and eat rice for the summer (sorry, that one was just for John (the Pastor, not the Baptist) and I).
Wear what is in your closet.
Beg, borrow, and steal. (That’s for all my teachers out there.)
Pray that GOD changes your heart when it comes to giving. Money and otherwise.
Author’s Note: for more on this topic, read page 69 of Crazy Love by Francis Chan and Danae Yankoski
