Sacrificial Giving

Hand giving moneyI know what it is like to give. I learned to be a giver by watching my parents for years. I also remember being the recipient of others who were givers. I also learned a lot about giving from the Word of God. Jesus teaching about giving and what a blessing it is to give. Luke quotes Paul, who says it well in Acts 20:35 (NLT):

And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Giving is an opportunity to bless someone else. I love this time of year, as Christmas nears, so many people reach deep inside their hearts to give and bless other by their generosity. I especially love anonymous giving. The other person doesn’t know who gave, but I receive a blessing anyway because I didn’t give to get the credit. I gave to bless someone else.

Jesus was teaching His disciples about giving and he pointed out a real live situation where giving was sacrificial and generous. Check this out…

1While 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.” (Luke 21:1-4 NLT)

I recently heard a descriptive phrase of giving that resonated with me. The phrase worth remembering is: equal sacrifice NOT equal giving. Our church just recently had an unbelievable response to a giving challenge. Our attendance is just over 1000 people. Our offering goal was half a million dollars! We were challenged with equal sacrifice NOT equal giving. We have people from every part of the socio-economic scale. We have very poor people and we have wealthy people who attend. Our offering came in around $525,000!! Jesus was teaching His disciple about equal sacrifice by observation of this widow who gave out of her poverty and struggle instead of giving from the surplus.

I’m learning that I can’t possibly out-give God. He gave His One and only Son so that we could have an abundant life here on earth as well as eternal life after this life. When I give, I’m being like God.  God is a giver and He calls me to be a giver. It’s not an “amount thing” – it’s about sacrifice and generosity.

Our wealth is relative. I know people who have way more money and material possessions than I have, but they are poor. I know people who have way less money and possession than me who are very rich. I believe giving can make me rich in spiritual values. God loves givers because He is the Ultimate Giver.

Pressing On!

Dwayne

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.