I can’t remember where I first came across the
description of sacrificial giving and here used as the title of this week’s
article. I can say, however, that every time I am asked a question regarding
the depth of our devotion as demonstrated in our giving, I am reminded of this
amazing and pointed description of what it means to give as we have truly
prospered. Some time back I was asked a most interesting question; a question
that has repeatedly caused this student to give some consideration as to our
giving, particularly with regard to the motive that lies behind our giving. I
was asked, “Is the child of God commanded to give, or is it a voluntary
act?” More specifically, “How do we harmonize the command to give in 1
Corinthians 16:1-2 with other passages that indicate our giving is a voluntary
manifestation of our love for God?” Every passage that addresses the giving of
the child of God focuses on the attitude as much, if not more, than the action.
We are to give “bountifully,” “not grudgingly or of necessity,” as we “have
purposed in our heart,” and with joy and cheerfulness “for God loveth a
cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:6-7). One of the best examples of giving can be found
in the case of the widow who gave her two mites to the Lord in deep
appreciation for her love for the Father. Perhaps it would do us good to
consider again the story, the act, and the motive as recorded in Luke
21:1-4. Here is how the text reads: “And he looked up, and saw the rich
men that were casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw a certain
poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say
unto you, This poor widow cast in more than they all: for all these did of
their superfluity cast in unto the gifts; but she of her want did cast in all
the living that she had” (Luke 21:1-4).
Mark’s account tells us that Jesus watched how
they gave. He not only saw what they gave, but how
they gave. Mark those two words. I am not suggesting that our Lord was unaware
of what they gave, but that He was more concerned with the motive than the
amount. But think for a moment about the amount this widow gave. We can view
this from two aspects. The first is the actual amount; the monetary value of
what she placed into the vessel. Two mites were about one-ninety-sixth of a
denarius, and a denarius if exchanged at a local bank today would bring less
than a penny. Now, you may squabble over the precise amount, but be assured,
the mite, being the smallest of the Roman coinage, was worth less than
one-ninety-sixth of a penny, even in today’s market. That, my friend, was a
meager amount. But let us look at this from another vantage point, namely the
“amount” in comparison to what she possessed. It was all she had;
she had no more! It makes no difference how much one may possess, when he
gives “all,” there is nothing left! If she was a pauper before she gave,
she was even more of a pauper after she gave.
Now imagine if you will, our Lord as He observed
the action of this woman. Not only was Jesus watching her, but through divine
inspiration we are provided enough details that we can watch our Lord through
the eye of faith. Our Lord was watching the “rich men that were casting their
gifts into the treasury” (verse 1). To be sure, these were magnificent
gifts that these men gave; at least by the calculations of men. But now comes
this widow, and as our Lord watched her she cast in all she possessed. Her very
life depended upon these two mites, but because of her faith in God she was
willing to give these to her God in trusting Abrahamic faith, confident that
Jehovah would care for her as He did for the patriarchs of old. Now listen to
the words of our Master: “Of a truth I say unto you, This poor widow cast in
more than they all: for all these did of their superfluity cast in unto the
gifts; but she of her want did cast in all the living that she had” (verses
3b-4). Notice that He did not say that she had cast in more than
any one of them, but more than all of them put
together. And herein lies the lesson for our consideration.
There are two ways of giving. In the case of the
“rich men,” they were giving out of their superfluity; out of their abundance.
Literally, they were giving out of what was left over. They were giving
out of what they did not need! Here were large gifts, amounting to a large
amount; but nobody missed what was given. Now let us look at the widow. She
gave out of her want. “Want” is equivalent to her need,
and yet out of that need she had given to the Lord. This entire story reveals
two ways of giving: giving out of superfluity, giving what we do not need and
will never really miss. The other is giving with what someone described
as “the red blood of sacrifice running through the gift”! May I be so bold as
to suggest that it is not the amount that the Lord is interested in, but the
amount in comparison to what He has given us as we are motivated by love to
give back to Him in grateful appreciation the gift of our heart and
soul.
I cannot now recall the source of this quote, but
I filed it away more than four decades ago. “The gold of affluence which is
given because it is not needed, God hurls to the bottomless pit; but the copper
tinged with blood He lifts and kisses into the gold of eternity.” That,
my friends, is “giving streaked with the red blood of sacrifice.” When we
consider all that our Savior did for us, how can we do any less?
by
Tom Wacaster
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