JESUS SPEAKING
Now Jesus sat across from the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a farthing. So he called his disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in much more than everyone who has given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood” (Mark 12: 41 – 44.)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
Generosity is an essential part of the Christian faith. God has commanded everyone to use their resources to bless others. Giving to God what belongs to Him is known as tithing; a tithe is an offering of the first fruits of one’s increase; for example, a person who earns $100 dollars is instructed to give $10 dollars to the church; or to use it as charity in the lives of the less fortunate. As Jesus watched the money box, he observed many wealthy people putting in huge sums of money; yet along came a poor widow, who couldn’t afford to tithe, and still she gave what she had; she gave when she couldn’t; she gave when it hurt; she trusted in the Lord, and in turn, Jesus honored her sacrifice above all others.
Despite giving larger quantities of money, many of the wealthiest people in America are actually the least charitable, proportionately (this is not always the case, many wealthy people do give what God has asked them to give, and they do give more than they can afford.) A study published in Newsweek found that ‘most church members give far less than 10 percent;’ most actually give under 2 percent. ‘Further, it seems that the poor give a far greater portion of their income than the rich (USA Today, Oct. 25, 1990.) Actually, families that earned $10,000 dollars gave 5.5 per cent of their income to charity. Families that earned between $50,000, and 60,000 dollars gave only 1.7 per cent of their earnings.’ It seems that the poor are often, but not always, the most generous givers.
Giving when it hurts is not always easy; nor is it completely logical; but it is praiseworthy. When we give from our abundance we honor God; when we give from our poverty we learn to completely trust in Him. The blessings of faithful charity are abundant; those who give in love, receive the gifts of the Spirit; as they draw nearer to God they experience peace, faith, and hope; the generous inherit an eternal possession that can never be taken away. May you give when you can and may you give when it hurts; and may God honor you for your sacrifice.
“Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to honor You with our possessions. Help us to give to those in need; may we tithe continuously and may we receive the blessings of our faithful generosity. We trust You Lord, and we withhold none of our resources from You. May we give when we can, and may we give when it hurts. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.” God bless all of you.
Jesus Speaks 