Dear Explorer,
Read Mark 12:41-44
and
Read Luke 21:1-4
How would you apply this passage to your life?
Many people give God whatever is left over after they spend what they need and want.
Many followers of Jesus are tithers. Do you know what that means?
It's sometimes called percentage giving. Percentage giving helps us to remember to give to God's Kingdom regularly and proportionately to the amount He gives to us. And giving Him the first percentage reminds us that He is our #1 priority.
If you ever have the chance to read the biography of R.G. LeTourneau – do so! Or look him up on-line. Mr. LeTourneau decided to give God 10% of everything God gave him and through the years God blessed him so much and he kept increasing his percentage – until he was able to give God 90% and he kept 10% for himself and his needs. Mr. LeTourneau was the inventor of the earth moving equipment company called Caterpillar. He was just a normal man who wanted to give generously to God's Kingdom and God blessed him mightily.
Read 1 Chronicles 21:24
What did King David say about giving?
King David said that he didn't want to give something to God that didn't cost him anything. He recognized that giving of our surplus wasn't as satisfying as sacrificial giving. If you want to read the whole story it's 1 Chronicles 21:18-26.
Read 1 Samuel 15:22
What does Samuel say is better than sacrificing?
Because money is so close to our hearts – it becomes a way to measure whose instructions we are following – Jesus or SELF. Remember you can't serve God and money. But I've found that when God asks me to give to someone, especially if it is sacrificial giving – it fills me with a special kind of joy. It's like I get to share in God's work. And that's very satisfying. So, let me summarize by saying: I believe God's plan for our giving will be regular percentage giving, obedient giving, and sacrificial giving.
Another way to give and increase your joy and pleasure in giving is “secret” giving. It's a secret between you and God. Only He knows about it and the joy is amazing. There's something about a secret that makes it delicious!
So why did Jesus say that this poor woman gave more than the rich people?