Reflections on Giving

Sacrificial Giving:

 

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. (Mark 12:41-44 KJV)

Jesus contrasts two kinds of giving. One kind is that typical of today. Out of our abundance we share a little of our wealth. Compare that with the giving that Christ esteems - the total commitment of "all her living".

We have an interesting Biblical Account of partial committment. A couple, Ananias with Sapphira his wife, decide that they will retain part of the proceeds in the sale of their property. It is their property. It is their money. But Believers are donating all their assets and so this couple are ashamed.  They decide to lie to the Holy Spirit and that costs them their lives.

 

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it, at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. (Acts 4:34 - 5:5 KJV)

From the above I discern that the collection was for poor people and not an instution. This is also the pattern followed by Paul,

 

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. (1 Cor 16:1 - 2 KJV)

We might note that this donation was to be saved by the donor, They were to gather their food offerings to help those in the famine that was in Jerusalem and turn them over to Paul at his arrival for transport to the believers.

 

On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.(1 Cor 16:2 NASB)

 

And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:28 - 30 KJV)

But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. (Rom 15:25 - 26 KJV)

See 2Co 8:1-9:15 for more details of this offering.

 

How unique it would be today for someone to say, like the Apostles and followers of Jesus...

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? (Mat 19:27 KJV)

Contrast that total dedication with ...

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Mat 19:21 - 24 KJV)

Do we go away sorrowful.? Do we consider our homes, cars, TVs, dvds, phones as wealth?