Read Mark 12:41-44
What Attitude Should I Have? Give The Least Amount Possible Or Give The Most Amount Possible?
Jesus sat down so he could watch the crowd put their money into the Temple Treasury (their offering). Many rich people threw in large amounts, but a poor widow put in two small copper coins worth only a few cents. Jesus called his disciples together in order to use this as a teaching moment. He said to his disciples that the poor widow put in more than all the other people. How does this even make sense? Jesus explains that the others gave out of their wealth. In other words, it didn’t hurt any. The poor widow gave out of her poverty. In other words she gave very sacrificially for she put in everything – all she had to live on.
As I look throughout Scripture regarding giving an offering to the Lord, I have come to the following conclusions:
1. Old Testament teaching puts emphasis on giving 10%. But New Testament teaching doesn’t mention a percentage.
New Testament teaching says:
1. What we give is between us and the Lord (I Corinthians 9:7).
2. We should give CHEERFULLY (2 Corinthians 9:7). We shouldn’t do it reluctantly or we shouldn’t do it under compulsion. Do it cheerfully!
3. We should be GENEROUS in our giving (I Corinthians 16:2 and Luke 6:38).
4. We should give SACRIFICIALLY. Today’s passage is a great example of sacrificial giving. The poor widow gave out of what she had and did so sacrificially, unlike the rich people.
2 Corinthians 8:3 is another great passage of people giving even beyond their ability.
My goal is not to tell you the amount you should give, but rather challenge you on what your heart attitude should be when you give.
How much you give is between you and the Lord.
So think of these three New Testament principles when you give:
Do so CHEERFULLY, GENEROUSLY, and SACRIFICIALLY. If you follow these three criteria, what amount would you give? Remember that’s between you and the Lord.
