The Art of Giving as Christ Taught: How to Contribute to the Church

As Christians, we are all well-familiar with contributing to the church through tithes and offerings. But have we ever wondered what makes Jesus happier about our giving? In the Scriptures, we will learn how Christ taught about the art of giving and how it lies in sacrificial, selfless acts rather than the size of one's offering. He teaches us that giving should be from the heart, without pride or selfish ambitions.

In our pursuit of understanding the heart of giving, Jesus taught a valuable lesson using a widow's selfless giving as an example. Only in giving with sincerity can we experience the true essence of generosity and contribute to God's Kingdom. In essence, the poor widow, though unnamed and unrecognized, leaves an indelible mark on the teachings of Christ, inspiring us to embrace the heart of giving with selflessness and sacrifice.

Misconceptions About Giving 

When it comes to the topic of giving within the church, there are two prevalent misconceptions. The first misconception revolves around the belief that the church should continually emphasize giving to fund its operations and ministry as if God were incapable of providing for His church. Often, this leads to fundraising campaigns that can sometimes be associated with the "prosperity gospel," where promises of prosperity depend on the extent of one's giving.

The second misconception takes a different approach, suggesting that God does not require believers’ contributions. In this view, there is no need to encourage giving, leading to a lack of engagement among the congregation. However, this perspective overlooks the opportunity for individuals to participate in advancing the Kingdom of God and the blessings that come from giving.

The truth lies somewhere in between. God does provide for churches and their ministries through the generosity of their members, who play a vital role in the church's financial stability. These individuals contribute significantly to the church's well-being. They come from various walks of life. Some work in offices, while others are regular vendors. Elderly members may depend on pensions or small businesses, and students might have limited allowances. However, God channels His blessings through these ordinary people to sustain His church. These Christians may not receive recognition, but their contributions are indispensable to the Kingdom of God.

How Jesus Taught Disciples About the Heart of Giving

The biblical principle of tithing, often involving the practice of giving 10% of one's income, is embraced by various denominations. While not mandated by Mosaic Law like it was for the Israelites, some continue to practice tithing as a form of offering. Regardless of the terminology used, these financial contributions support the church's functions and ministries.

Although the concept of tithing may have been prevalent during Jesus' time, He did not emphasize this aspect when teaching His disciples about giving. Instead, He highlighted the heart of giving through real-life examples. When instructing His disciples on the essence of giving, Jesus led them to the temple treasury to observe people offering to the temple. Among these contributors, Jesus singled out a significant example—the poor widow. This un-named woman serves as a model of a genuine giver.

Mark 12:41-44

And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on."

The story of the poor widow provides a powerful illustration of sacrificial giving. In ancient times, a widow faced immense challenges, often without financial support or security. Her husband's death left her in a vulnerable position, with no one to provide or protect her. The widow featured in the Gospel of Mark was one such individual.

As Jesus observed the temple's treasury, many affluent individuals made substantial contributions. They showcased their donations and perhaps competed for recognition. In stark contrast, the poor widow approached the treasury quietly. She contributed just two small copper coins, the smallest denomination during the Roman era. Her offering amounted to a mere cent, yet the value of her gift surpassed that of all the other contributors.

The Heart of Giving: A Lesson from the Widow’s Sacrifice

The humble offering of the poor widow serves as a profound lesson in the art of giving. Her giving represents true sacrifice, as she offered everything she owned, leaving her with nothing but faith. The stark contrast between the wealthy donors and the widow underscores the significance of genuine, sacrificial giving.

While many affluent contributors gave from their abundance, the widow gave her entire livelihood. This narrative highlights that authentic giving goes beyond the quantity of one's offering and centers on sincerity and sacrifice. The poor widow made a small yet remarkable contribution to the temple treasury, earning a special place in the eyes of Jesus because "she put in all she owned." Her meager cent might have been her sole possession, making her act profoundly sacrificial.

The story of the poor widow conveys that sacrificial giving entails offering something of value to God, something that holds genuine significance for us. In contrast, those who give from their surplus are parting with their excess, things they neither require nor hold dear. They donated from their surplus, which did not entail personal sacrifice. 

Let’s evaluate our giving practices and motives: Are we offering God mere surplus, or are we engaging in sacrificial giving?

Motive Matters in Giving 

Sacrificial giving goes beyond the amount offered because it is rooted in the heart’s motive. God looks past the surface to discern the underlying motive. Motive carries significant weight in God's eyes—Is our giving fueled by genuine love for God or driven by personal gain and a desire for recognition?

During Jesus's time, He often questioned the motives of Pharisees and scribes. They donned long robes, not out of genuine reverence for God but to garner respect and privileges from others. Their acts of service were motivated by the honor and prestige they could attain. Even when they gave, it was primarily for public recognition and applause. The need to be seen by people drives their giving. Moreover, their lengthy prayers were not authentic acts of worship but rather opportunities for public observation and praise.

Jesus emphasized the paramount importance of sincere motives in giving and worship. Jesus values pure and heartfelt motives above any external displays of piety. As Jesus taught in Matthew 6:3-4, “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

When we give, our primary motive should be to help advance God’s Kingdom. While God can do it without our contributions, He graciously allows us to participate for our happiness and fulfillment. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus underscores the need to pray for God's Kingdom (Matthew 6:9-10) to manifest among us. Furthermore, in Matthew 6:33, He encourages us to prioritize seeking God’s Kingdom above all else.

Love for God and desire for His Kingdom’s advancement should drive our sacrificial giving. It is a matter of the heart because motive holds the utmost importance in God’s sight. He is not concerned with the quantity of our gift but rather the intention behind our giving.

Reaping Abundance through Sacrificial Giving

In 2 Corinthians 9:6-9, the Apostle Paul imparts valuable wisdom to the church concerning the blessings that stem from giving. He emphasizes that those who sow sparingly will reap sparingly, while those who sow bountifully will reap bountifully.

Paul encourages everyone to give according to what they have purposed in their hearts. The key is to do so willingly, cheerfully, and without any sense of compulsion or reluctance. He told the church that God delights in a cheerful giver. Giving should come from the heart, driven by the right motive. It's not the amount we give that matters most; it's the sacrificial nature of our offering and the purity of our motives. Giving that is born out of love, reverence, and a desire for the advancement of the Kingdom of God is what pleases Him the most.

When we give sacrificially, we experience a sense of happiness that comes from knowing that we are contributing to the greater purpose of God's Kingdom. It's this thinking that makes sacrificial giving a joyful experience.

A Challenge to Reflect on Our Giving

Today, as members of God's family, we should consider it a blessing to be able to sow seeds and offer our gifts to support the church and its ministries. Just as Paul encouraged the Corinthians to give joyfully, we strive to do the same.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on our giving. When was the last time we gave with the right heart? Have we practiced sacrificial giving recently? Are our motives aligned with the Kingdom of God?