How to GiveExemplo

Give what you can

The story of Jesus and the generous but poor widow in Luke 21:1-4 is worth your time. Jesus has a different way of determining generosity. He doesn’t count the total dollars given or hours volunteered. Instead, he considers what each person is able to give.

Paul captured that same idea: “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:12). Notice the repetition of the word one. Biblical generosity isn’t dividing the total church budget by the number of members to determine a flat rate. It’s about each “one” giving based on the unique amount that God has given them first.

We have different incomes, don’t we? If you’re working part-time or on a fixed income, you may not be able to give $100/week. And that’s okay. But some of you can give that much and more. You’re so rich you buy Christmas gifts for your dog. You’re so rich you throw food in the garbage every week. You’re so rich you may have Netflix and Hulu and cable. If that’s you, you have the capacity to be an example of First-World generosity. Go big. Give big. You won’t regret it.

In the kingdom of God, we are called to give what we can. So, child of God, what can you give?

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