Luke 21 starts off with the widow’s offering.
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
Years ago, newly married and expecting a baby, I was wrestling with thoughts on finances and faith. I started a blog to use writing as a way to work out some of those ideas. In my article on tithing I used the Widow’s Offering from Mark’s Gospel as an example to make a point and explain my thoughts on tithing.
Here is an excerpt from the article I wrote titled What is Tithing? – Do I Have to Give 10%?
The Widow’s Offering
In this story, Jesus does not tally up incomes in order to compare who gave a higher percentage or passed some threshold of giving. Yet, he can tell that many give what they don’t need, and she gives everything, including what she needed.
This widow is so trusting in God that she gives up even what she needs because she knows that He is really the only thing that she needs. She knows if she gives her whole self to God, He will provide even more.
Now that Christians are not necessarily bound by the tithe of Mosaic law, what is the new interpretation? Earlier in the same chapter of Mark, Jesus says that the greatest commandment is first to love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and second to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:28-34). I think if those two commandments come first and you are striving for those, you are already living a life that will inform the rest of your decisions, including your charitable giving.
So if giving 10% was the “old law”, I would imagine that God wants us to have had the practice of letting go, so that eventually we will be willing to give Him everything.
Giving Your Livelihood
Giving like the widow is a goal to strive for. It is extremely difficult to let go of something that feels like it is your security. At the same time, you must reflect on this. What is really your security? You can’t take any of your things or your money with you in the end.
On that note, here are my three tithing tips to get you started.
1. Intentionality – Why are you Tithing?
You can always adjust your giving amounts at a later time. For any goal, you need a simple starting point because giving something is better than nothing. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
2. Make Tithing a Budget Item
Like I said you can always adjust once you start allocating some chunk of money to giving back. Start giving somewhere, reflect and see how it feels, and if you are called to give more or less to one area, adjust.
It is tempting to spend all month, look at whats left, and then give. But with a budget, the amount in this section of the budget is set. It is planned for and is made a priority.
3. Make it Fun
Just like anything else, spend where it is important to you, and not elsewhere. If you are passionate about a certain cause, give more there. You might want to consider the following: local or foreign, small or large organizations, and of course, what is their mission?
If you have a heart for service of the poor, consider giving more in that area so that your giving reflects you. Make it fun and talk as a family where you want to give.
LAST BONUS TIP: Keep some cash in your budget free for Random Spontaneous Giving. How many times do you have a coworker mention someone’s GoFundMe for a great cause, you pass a group of kids fundraising for some event, or you see people collecting items for a drive. This bonus money can give you guilt free freedom to give in those situations that you didn’t necessarily plan for.
Where are some of the places you give and why?
Most of today’s reflection is from my article at afireoffaith.com. You can check that out (it’s a little old) or you can read more here at Formed by a Flame.
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