An offering should be given proportionately.
1 Corinthians 16:2 says “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income...” Paul is telling the Corinthians that how much they give in the offering for the Christians in Jerusalem ought to be determined by how much they make. Those who make a little may only be able to give a little, while those who make a lot will obviously be able to give more.
In Luke 21:1-4 we read that “While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
Jesus’ point? Generous giving is proportionate. You may have little and therefore giving little - but if you only have little, the little you give is actually a lot! If you are truly strapped financially, giving $5 to the Christmas Offering might be really generous FOR YOU (proportionally speaking). On the other hand, if you are truly wealthy, even giving $5,000 might not be generous FOR YOU (proportionally speaking). Let me ask you this: FOR YOU, and in light of your particular unique financial situation, what does generous look like? That’s what I’d encourage you to give in the Christmas Offering. Have you been given little? Give accordingly. Have you been given much? Give accordingly. I think the principle behind Luke 12:48 applies here. Jesus said “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”
1 Corinthians 16:2 says “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income...” Paul is telling the Corinthians that how much they give in the offering for the Christians in Jerusalem ought to be determined by how much they make. Those who make a little may only be able to give a little, while those who make a lot will obviously be able to give more.
In Luke 21:1-4 we read that “While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
Jesus’ point? Generous giving is proportionate. You may have little and therefore giving little - but if you only have little, the little you give is actually a lot! If you are truly strapped financially, giving $5 to the Christmas Offering might be really generous FOR YOU (proportionally speaking). On the other hand, if you are truly wealthy, even giving $5,000 might not be generous FOR YOU (proportionally speaking). Let me ask you this: FOR YOU, and in light of your particular unique financial situation, what does generous look like? That’s what I’d encourage you to give in the Christmas Offering. Have you been given little? Give accordingly. Have you been given much? Give accordingly. I think the principle behind Luke 12:48 applies here. Jesus said “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”
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