Right Giving

TEXT: MARK 12:38-44

"For all they did cast in their abundance, but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living" (Mark 12:44).

God loveth a cheerful giver, remarks Paul the apostle (2 Corinthians 9:7b). Giving all we can is the acceptable way to give to God. Our offerings must be with all sincerity of purpose, purity of heart with a mind to please God only.

The Lord Jesus observed in our text how true worshippers cast their offerings into the box provided in the temple for that purpose. He saw the rich give much out of the abundance they had, but He also knew intuitively that what they gave was well below their capability. They certainly had held back part of what they should give in order to plough it back to satisfy their covetousness and love of luxury. Except for the exemplary giving of a widow woman, the Lord did not inform us how the poor in that place fared in the giving of offering, but it is a well known fact that most poor people pretending to have nothing to give, actually fail to give back to God. This they do, not because of their poverty but because of their distrust in God’s ability and faithfulness to give to them (Luke 6:36).

Our possession are blessed when we give a just portion to God, for there will be a blessing in what remains after an appropriate part has been given to God. We cannot and should not dare to give to God as if we are giving to a beggar. It is our duty to give. God does not consider the duty of giving according to the outward value, but always in comparison to that which He supplies.

How we give reflects our devotion to God. Our liberality in assisting the poor and giving to God is an important physical evidence of our love for Him. Unless we cultivate a habit of faithfully giving when we have not much to give, we will give little when we become rich. Above all things, the Lord demands first from us, the giving of our hearts, time and talent in voluntary and sincere devotion and service unto Him. This is the condition upon which the acceptance of our pecuniary offerings is based.

Thought for the day: "Giving reflects our true love for God and mankind"

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