GIVING
GIVING
When it comes to this topic, “Giving”, it is one of the most misunderstood and most abused practices in the Church of today. Money and giving was a big concern to Jesus. It is noted that Jesus spoke most on the issue of money, wealth and on how we are to treat money than any other topic. Let us open our hearts and hear what Jesus is saying regarding giving.
Luke 21: 1-4
1As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.[a] 3"I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Unlike other teachings of Jesus in the previous chapter Luke 20, this teaching on giving was not given in response to a question from the crowd or scribes or even from Jesus’ disciples. Jesus brought up the topic based on his observation. In similar account in Mark 12:41, it said, “Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury”. Jesus was intentional and His intent is that we get the right attitude about giving.
2. Jesus’ observation and comments were directed to his disciples and not the general temple crowd. Mark 12: 43, “So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury”.
3. The temple treasury is equivalent to our collection plates of today. The treasury was for gathering the money to care for the priests who ministered in the temple and for taking care of the poor and needy. Malachi 3:10 said “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house”. By the way, there may have been up to three different tithes practice in the OT which actually will make the percentage to be about 30% and not just 10% of what one owns. (See Numbers 18:21-29; Deuteronomy 12:6-18; 14:22-29; 26:12)
4. Note that in this instance, Jesus was not teaching about tithing nor did he teach us to tithe. By saying this, I may be classified by some pastors as a heretic. Yes, Jesus did not say we must tithe. And yes, I had in the past erroneously believed and taught on tithing as a New Testament practice. The only mention of tithe by Jesus was in a passing conversation with the Scribes and Pharisees (See Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42 and Luke 18:9-14). Jesus would have loved them to pay more attention to justice, mercy, faithfulness and the love of God, which were more important. Also remember that Jesus’ death on the cross was the fulfillment of the law; and at this time Jesus did not say to the Scribes, stop tithing because he was yet to go to the cross.
5. What then is the principle and practice for giving that Jesus was encouraging in this passage in Luke 21? It is the principle of sacrificial giving. This is the giving that costs us something and that we feel the pain for the benefit of others. Jesus would go on to the cross to demonstrate this kind of giving – Giving of self just as the poor widow gave “all she had to live on”. Note that Jesus did not condemn those who “gave out of their wealth”. Jesus was only saying that the widow’s attitude and commitment was the preferred. King David said, I will not “offer burnt offering to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24).
6. Giving for Jesus is not dependent on how much we have but how willing we are to give. For Jesus, everyone has something to give even the poorest widow. The first giving is giving oneself to God and then all that we own belong to him.
7. The early New Testament Church practiced this type of giving that Jesus commended. In fact you will not see where it was said the early Church paid tithe. Apostle Paul encouraged believers, “ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2Corinthians 9:7 Paul further said that willingness to give was the key too. 2 Corinthians 8:12 “For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have”. Please read the entire chapters of second Corinthians 8 and 9 and see how the Macedonia church gave “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” They gave to make a difference in the lives of other saints of God and not so much for building large cathedrals (There is nothing wrong with cathedrals as long as we can care for people but most times something has to suffer and in many instances it is the people who need help).
8. How is our giving today? Most of what we hear these days is to give so that we would benefit here and our bank accounts will never go dry but multiply. Granted the Bible teaches the principle of sowing and reaping and that the measure you use, it will be measured back to you; I don’t believe Jesus is saying that that should be our motive for giving. In fact Jesus did not promise that all our treasures will be here on earth; rather, we are encouraged to store up treasures in heaven meaning that most of the benefits for our giving are accruing in our heavenly bank account.
What is the bottom line especially since we are talking about giving of money and wealth? Let us give to make a difference in the lives of people and in the expansion of God’s kingdom which now rests on people. Jesus has become our ultimate Priest who has fulfilled all sacrifices including tithing. (How come we are not killing goats and sheep in our Churches today and the only OT practice that some pastors hold unto is tithing? Just a thought! Check out Colossians 2:16-17) Jesus gave 100% of himself for us. “Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus….Philippians 2: 5-8. What mind? It is the mind (attitude) of obedience, humility and willingness to go to the cross for us. We must have the mind of Christ in giving. Let us not allow anyone to take advantage of us through persuasive words; but we are to give our selves and wealth willingly to God. We must also be accountable for what and whom we give to. Let’s give wisely. Amen.
When it comes to this topic, “Giving”, it is one of the most misunderstood and most abused practices in the Church of today. Money and giving was a big concern to Jesus. It is noted that Jesus spoke most on the issue of money, wealth and on how we are to treat money than any other topic. Let us open our hearts and hear what Jesus is saying regarding giving.
Luke 21: 1-4
1As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.[a] 3"I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Unlike other teachings of Jesus in the previous chapter Luke 20, this teaching on giving was not given in response to a question from the crowd or scribes or even from Jesus’ disciples. Jesus brought up the topic based on his observation. In similar account in Mark 12:41, it said, “Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury”. Jesus was intentional and His intent is that we get the right attitude about giving.
2. Jesus’ observation and comments were directed to his disciples and not the general temple crowd. Mark 12: 43, “So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury”.
3. The temple treasury is equivalent to our collection plates of today. The treasury was for gathering the money to care for the priests who ministered in the temple and for taking care of the poor and needy. Malachi 3:10 said “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house”. By the way, there may have been up to three different tithes practice in the OT which actually will make the percentage to be about 30% and not just 10% of what one owns. (See Numbers 18:21-29; Deuteronomy 12:6-18; 14:22-29; 26:12)
4. Note that in this instance, Jesus was not teaching about tithing nor did he teach us to tithe. By saying this, I may be classified by some pastors as a heretic. Yes, Jesus did not say we must tithe. And yes, I had in the past erroneously believed and taught on tithing as a New Testament practice. The only mention of tithe by Jesus was in a passing conversation with the Scribes and Pharisees (See Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42 and Luke 18:9-14). Jesus would have loved them to pay more attention to justice, mercy, faithfulness and the love of God, which were more important. Also remember that Jesus’ death on the cross was the fulfillment of the law; and at this time Jesus did not say to the Scribes, stop tithing because he was yet to go to the cross.
5. What then is the principle and practice for giving that Jesus was encouraging in this passage in Luke 21? It is the principle of sacrificial giving. This is the giving that costs us something and that we feel the pain for the benefit of others. Jesus would go on to the cross to demonstrate this kind of giving – Giving of self just as the poor widow gave “all she had to live on”. Note that Jesus did not condemn those who “gave out of their wealth”. Jesus was only saying that the widow’s attitude and commitment was the preferred. King David said, I will not “offer burnt offering to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24).
6. Giving for Jesus is not dependent on how much we have but how willing we are to give. For Jesus, everyone has something to give even the poorest widow. The first giving is giving oneself to God and then all that we own belong to him.
7. The early New Testament Church practiced this type of giving that Jesus commended. In fact you will not see where it was said the early Church paid tithe. Apostle Paul encouraged believers, “ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2Corinthians 9:7 Paul further said that willingness to give was the key too. 2 Corinthians 8:12 “For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have”. Please read the entire chapters of second Corinthians 8 and 9 and see how the Macedonia church gave “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” They gave to make a difference in the lives of other saints of God and not so much for building large cathedrals (There is nothing wrong with cathedrals as long as we can care for people but most times something has to suffer and in many instances it is the people who need help).
8. How is our giving today? Most of what we hear these days is to give so that we would benefit here and our bank accounts will never go dry but multiply. Granted the Bible teaches the principle of sowing and reaping and that the measure you use, it will be measured back to you; I don’t believe Jesus is saying that that should be our motive for giving. In fact Jesus did not promise that all our treasures will be here on earth; rather, we are encouraged to store up treasures in heaven meaning that most of the benefits for our giving are accruing in our heavenly bank account.
What is the bottom line especially since we are talking about giving of money and wealth? Let us give to make a difference in the lives of people and in the expansion of God’s kingdom which now rests on people. Jesus has become our ultimate Priest who has fulfilled all sacrifices including tithing. (How come we are not killing goats and sheep in our Churches today and the only OT practice that some pastors hold unto is tithing? Just a thought! Check out Colossians 2:16-17) Jesus gave 100% of himself for us. “Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus….Philippians 2: 5-8. What mind? It is the mind (attitude) of obedience, humility and willingness to go to the cross for us. We must have the mind of Christ in giving. Let us not allow anyone to take advantage of us through persuasive words; but we are to give our selves and wealth willingly to God. We must also be accountable for what and whom we give to. Let’s give wisely. Amen.
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