Godly Giving III
Sacrificial Giving
Intro
As a Christian, you must consider four "Godly Giving" levels. Level One is the tithe. Level Two is giving out of obedience. Level Three is giving from your abundance. This time together we'll talk about Level four-sacrificial giving.
Jesus gives you a clear reference to sacrificial giving.
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In Luke 21:1-4, Jesus and His disciples were standing in the Temple Court of the Women observing the Jews as they gave their gifts into the treasury. "As He looked up He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. I tell you the truth, he said, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
This is an interesting choice of words. Christ said that she put in an amount more than all the rest, and yet, it was only two small copper coins. Therefore, the key had to have been her attitude, not the amount she gave. She didn't give to impress anybody-the Temple didn't need her pennies because the Temple was covered with gold and brass inside and outside. Nor did she give from her abundance (remember, she was a "poor widow"). She gave all she had. She gave her housing money, her food money, her entertainment and recreation money, her transportation money, her medical money, etc. She gave it all because she had a need to sacrifice to God.
Sacrificial giving is possible if you have little or if you have much.
Beginning with some of your wants and desires, you can work into a pattern of living and giving that characterizes the life of Jesus Christ. I believe that if we, who are so mightily blessed, are not willing to sacrifice for others, I believe God will simply reallocate His provision to those who are.
Personal interpretations
First, I believe God measures the value of your gift not by how much you give, but by how much you keep for yourself—an interesting thought to think about.
Here's another personal interpretation of God's Word: I don't believe God's will in any area of your spiritual life is like a pinhead upon which you are expected to balance. I believe His will is a range in which you are free to operate.
For example, He may not care whether you choose to be a "butcher, a baker, or a candlestick maker." But He gives you a minimum work ethic requirement no matter what you choose to do. You are expected to work as if unto Him.
It's the same with giving. He gives you a minimum-giving requirement. It's called the tithe. You are told not to rob Him by withholding the tithe that is due Him. But, God knows there would always be those who would want to do more than just the minimum. So He gives you ways to move beyond the minimum giving level and receive even greater blessings. He shows you how you can give out of obedience, or from your abundance, and even to give sacrificially. But a word of warning, these levels of giving are not for everyone; only those who choose to move to spiritually higher ground, those willing and wanting to go above and beyond the minimum requirement. Is this the desire of your heart?
Brief review.
Remember that early on in our times together we saw that how you handle the material areas of your life (including your giving) is an outside, visible indicator to you as to where you are inside spiritually with God. How you choose to give is an indicator to you as to the quality of your relationship with Him.
Giving summary.
In summary, I believe Giving God's way is a shortcoming in the lives of many Christians today. But it is a shortcoming we can overcome. It is not easy to give God's way, but it is possible. It's possible for you to give at any one or all of these levels, but only if you are committed to the fact that everything comes from Him, including the heart and strength to joyfully allow God to direct how you use what He gives you.
What about you?
Where do you stand before the Lord right now in the area of Godly Giving? Are you experiencing the joy and blessings that come with the tithe, or from giving out of obedience, or from giving from your abundance, or from sacrificial giving? God wants you to experience His blessings at the highest possible levels.
He even helps you reach these levels, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am you God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10) Remember, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
Next time we will see how God answers the first two of four common giving questions: "What percentage is the tithe?" and, "Are we to tithe on the net or the gross?" You might be surprised at His answers!
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Bob Louder is the Founder and President of Christian Financial Ministries (www.good-steward.org). Bob is also the author of the new best selling book, "Debt Free Living God's Way," available only on the Internet (www.debtfreelivinggodsway.org). Since 1987 Bob has helped people in hundreds of churches all across the country and in the European military community learn, understand, apply and pass on "Debt Free Living God's Way" principles and practical applications. He has represented some of the top Christian financial authors and ministries to include Larry Burkett, Dave Ramsey, Christian Financial Concepts, and Crown Ministries.
Copyright 2006 Christian Financial Ministries, Inc., All Rights Reserved. You may reprint this "Special Report" in whole or in part without permission from Christian Financial Ministries, Inc. Please credit material used to Christian Financial Ministries, Inc.
