The Poor Woman Who Gave All She Had

B. All that is belongs to God (Pss 24:1; 50:10-12; Hag 2:8). We are accustomed to thinking and speaking of “our” possessions. The things we possess are not really ours; they are God’s.

C. God has entrusted His possessions to me (1 Cor 3:21-23; 4:1-2; 9:17). The custodial nature of our stewardship of God’s possessions suggests that they should ultimately be transferred to another trustworthy steward (either an individual or an institution) so that they can continue to be used for God’s purposes.

D. God’s possessions entrusted to me have a purpose. (1) God’s assets meet personal needs (Phil 4:13, 19). They are intended for our support, as well as for those dependent on us. Paul warned, “But if any one does not provide304 for his own, that is his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim 5:8).

(2) God’s assets build and glorify God’s kingdom through me (Col 3:23-24). How we apply them is a matter of individual judgment and prayer since we alone are accountable to the Lord. Our accountability also extends into eternity.

As stewards, we have been given the privilege of arranging for God’s assets to flourish well beyond our years. We can stand with Abel, who “offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through faith” (Heb 11:4).

A. Giving is to be viewed as investing with God (Matt 6:19-21; Luke 6:38). We get a return that will last eternally. When we invest money in what is perishable, we are consumed with maintaining what we have. But when we invest with God, it unburdens us and deepens our relationship with Him.

B. If you cannot handle money, you will not be able to handle spiritual riches either (Luke 16:11). How we manage money is usually a reflection of our spiritual maturity and faith in God. God has said He will meet our needs when we give (Phil 4:14-20). If we don’t give, then we in essence call God a liar, which is a much more serious spiritual problem.

C. Giving is to be sacrificial (Mark 12:42-44; 2 Cor 8:1-3). Jesus noticed the woman who truly gave sacrificially, for she gave all she had. The essence of giving is sacrifice (cf. Gen 22). What does this teach us? Should we give one-tenth? No, we are to give sacrificially. True sacrificial giving is when we do without something we would otherwise have so that God’s work will be advanced.

D. Giving is not just a matter of what we have (Luke 16:10). Faithfulness is what pleases God. You do not have to possess a large amount to be sacrificial.

E. Each individual determines the amount to give (Luke 19:8). Giving is to be a worshipful and happy action of love and gratitude to a wonderful God. It is not the keeping of some law or tradition. Some people rigidly and mechanically give 10 percent. Others give only in a token fashion with no real thought. This is not God’s way. Your giving should be done in an attitude of prayer and spiritual contemplation, asking the Father what He would have you to do each and every time.

F. Giving can be in response to a need (spontaneous and special; Acts 2:42-47; 11:27-30; 1 Cor 16:1-2; Phil 4:14-20). If a man comes to you with a need and you can help meet it, it is your Christian responsibility to do so. Give to the305 Lord regularly out of gratitude and joy, but also give in response to specific needs.

G. Giving should demonstrate love, not law (2 Cor 8:8). Love and gratitude to God for who He is and what He has done is the fountain out of which grace giving is to flow.

H. Giving should be planned (1 Cor 16:1-2; 2 Cor 8:6-7). Giving should not be haphazard but planned in an orderly fashion. We are to give regularly so that churches can meet needs as they arise, rather than always pleading for additional money through special offerings. Giving is to be done systematically, proportionately, faithfully, as you have determined in your heart. You are to plan, pray, and prepare.

Some people say they give their time and talent to the church rather than their money. It is a fine and right thing to give those, but it does not replace giving money. It is God’s way of teaching you stewardship each week of your entire life.

I. Giving is to be generous (2 Cor 8:2-3; Phil 4:14-20). As Christ has given to us, so should we give. Bow your knee, look to the cross, and then give.

J. Giving is to be joyful (2 Cor 9:7). Our attitude in giving is as important to our Lord as the act of giving itself. The absence of joy in giving is evidence of a deeper spiritual problem, which invalidates our offering.

K. Giving is to be complete (2 Cor 8:5). Total discipleship extends far beyond our financial giving to God. The New Testament clearly teaches total commitment in all areas of our lives. Overemphasizing the tithe has caused us to miss this important truth.

L. Giving biblically always results in God’s blessings (Acts 20:35; 2 Cor 9:6-11; Phil 4:19). Being obedient to the Word of God will always open the way for His blessings to be experienced.

Faith must have feet! We must act in obedience to see God work in our lives. If you have been delinquent in the past, remember: it is never too late to begin doing the right thing!

Biblical and spiritual giving is the act of giving one’s self and all that one has completely to God by a voluntary act that flows out of a thankful and grateful heart. It is motivated by a sincere understanding that everything belongs to God and that He is the source of every blessing (1 Chr 29:14; Ps 50:9-12). It is also motivated by gratitude for what God has done for us in Christ (2 Cor 8:8-9; 9:15). By returning a portion of that blessing to God,306 the believer acknowledges that he has received God’s blessing and that he is truly grateful.

The times of Israel’s greatest spiritual fervor and the church’s greatest impact on society are the times of their greatest sacrificial giving. This indicates that there is a correlation between the spiritual state of true believers and their willingness to be involved in sacrificial giving. In practice, the tithe (10 percent) is a good place to begin one’s financial service and worship unto God. It is, however, a bad place to stop. God wants us to grow in all areas of our Christian life, including giving. As we look to Him in faith, as we look to the cross and give, He will, in this area, do through us and for us far beyond that which we could ever hope or imagine. In light of God’s indescribable gift of His Son Jesus (2 Cor 9:15), it is hard to imagine doing anything less. God gave His all. He gave His best. So should we.