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Weekly Bible Verse – Giving More than One is Able
For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 2 Corinthians 8:3-4 (NIV)
Wow, what a verse, what a story! This is basically the opposite of what we see in Malachi 3 where God is rebuking his children for not giving their entire tithe to Him. Yes, we see quite the opposite here as the Macedonian churches gave not only all that they were able, but even more than that! The idea of “giving more than one is able” immediately brings two questions to my mind: what does that mean and do people do that here in America 2010?
What does it mean to give beyond one’s ability? I think it means that you create your budget (or spending plan for my “budget-averse” readers) allocating your giving first, and then balancing the rest of it. You make sure that you give enough, save enough, and have enough to pay all your other bills and do what you plan to do that month. Then you give more! (What?! That’s crazy talk!) You give more than your budget says that you are able. The numbers no longer add up to zero at the bottom of your painstakingly crafted, previously beautifully balanced budget.
Then you wait…
You wait to see what God is going to do with the extra you’ve given to Him. You wait to see what God is going to do with you. You may recall a recent Weekly Bible Verse where I discussed that God promises to meet your needs. So you wait to see how God will meet your needs this month. Maybe He blesses you with opportunities that you had not even considered. Maybe he opens you to contentment and teaches you that your actual “needs” are less than you originally thought they were. I do not know and I’m sure it is different for each person who boldly attempts this.
Do people actually do this?
That’s what it means to give more than one is able to…so onto my second question. Do people do this today in our affluent societies? I honestly do not know. Considering that statistics show that very few Christians actually tithe (give 10%), I would guess that the number of those that give beyond their ability is quite minuscule. I’m sure some people do it, but I would guess not many. Do you? Why not?
God bless and have a great week…
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Great Post! It reminds me of a song by The Caravans that says “You can’t beat God giving, no matter how you try!”