Sunday, August 21, 2011

Give Generously

Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always ready to share with others whatever God has given them. -- 1 Timothy 6:18

Today churches everywhere will be passing the offering plate. They’ll be collecting a tithe, or 10 percent of the income of each person there. Theoretically at least. The truth is that many people don’t tithe. Some never even place anything in the offering plate.

Tithing is straight from the Bible. God says to give 10 percent of whatever you have back to Him. Remember, it all belongs to Him anyway. God gives you everything you have. He simply expects you to give a portion back.

Some folks have trouble letting go. It could simply be a matter of trust. They don’t trust God to take care of them. They don’t believe they’ll have enough for themselves and their families if they give part of it back. They don’t trust God’s promises that He’ll take care of them and provide all their needs.

Other people go overboard with the tithe rule. They give 10 percent and not a penny more. Several years ago the Sunday School class I attended decided to provide Christmas gifts for three children. Some people gave money and others shopped. A wonderful woman announced she was deducting the amount of the donation from her tithe to the church. Apparently, giving to a needy child was part of her 10 percent.

I was shocked and amazed. She is a fairly wealthy woman. Twenty dollars here or there wouldn’t even be lunch money for her. Yet she was stingy -- with God. Because when we do something for others, it’s like we’re doing them for God.

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything -- all she had to live on.” -- Mark 12:41-44

Let us all give according to our hearts. Yes, give 10 percent back to God. Then give more to help those in need. Don’t worry about having enough. You can never, ever out give God.