Jesus’ Standard for Generosity

What you do and what you don’t do matters. 

The story of the widow’s mite is Jesus setting the standard for the level of generosity we’re called to strive for. You may have heard that the standard for generosity as a Christian is to tithe 10% of your income but it’s not. The standard set by Jesus is the standard of the widow. We are called to give everything to God. Everything we have is his and what he calls us to give is what he calls us to give. The 10% tithe is a useful and practical way to help you and me get started in giving. But let's be clear, it isn’t the standard. 

And here’s why. If I give 10% of what I have to God, where does the rest go? What am I doing with the 90%? In the Gospel, Jesus has harsh words for the scribes who love the attention and the love being in a place of honor. But why? Why is Jesus so harsh? Well, in part because their lack of generosity comes at the expense of those who are poor and vulnerable. Their pride and love of glory blinds them to the reality that their inaction, that their lack of compassion, their spiritual blindness is preventing them from alleviating the pain and suffering of another. 

Living according to the Gospel isn’t just about what you do. It’s about what you don’t do too, It’s not just about what you give, it’s also about what you do with the rest of what you have. 

The standard for generosity is that you give everything, you give your life, your finances, your family, your health, your everything to God. And let Him give it back to you as he sees fit. 

This is a hard teaching. One I am trying to live up and one of the hardest for me to live up to. But the standard is the standard. And the widow giving everything is the standard. So this week, take a look at what you give. Take a look at what you do with everything you don’t give. And see what God might be trying to say to you. 

God bless and remember you were made to do hard things.