Give Accordingly

The example of giving generously has been demonstrated by God to all people.  There is nothing we are or possess which did not first pass through His hands graciously to us.  The question which can stump people is, "How much should I give?"  When I read Deuteronomy 16:17 this morning, it answers the question well:  "Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you."  The question then becomes, "How much has God blessed me?"  We are to give cheerfully to God according to the blessing which He has given us.  We humans are funny creatures:  we want blessings with no end in sight, but we set limits on giving unto God.

Jesus says in Matthew 7:12, "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." This is commonly called the "Golden Rule."  Long before that in Deuteronomy, God had established what could be called the golden rule of giving:  according to the blessing you have received, give as you are able.  We know that when God calls us to do something, it is He who will provide the strength and means to accomplish His purposes.  Therefore God would never call us to give unless we are able to do so.  As long as we have life, we are called to give unto God as we are able according to the blessing God has given us.

All throughout scripture we see examples of this cheerful giving.  When Abram and his servants defeated four kings, he gave tithes of the spoil to the King and High Priest Melchizedek.  David refused to give unto God what cost him nothing.  The poor woman put her two mites into the treasury in the Temple, giving more than even the most wealthy because she gave all she had.  Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, broke an alabaster box filled with precious oil - the value of roughly a year's wages - and poured it over the head of Jesus.  The greatest gift was when Jesus gave Himself freely into the hands of sinners and embraced the cross in obedience to the Father.  He gave Himself according to the will of the Father so that all might be saved through His atoning sacrifice.

Take some time to count your blessings and consider what great things God has done for you.  May those who recognise the blessings God has given us say with the Psalmist in Psalm 116:12, "What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?"  Those who have been blessed much should give much.  Instead of feeling guilty for the blessings God has graciously provided, choose to give to God as you are able according to the blessing which He has given you.  The Holy Spirit will guide you to give according to His perfect will.  All you can give has already been given you by God!  Whoever said, "You can't out-give God!" was right.  It's not a contest, but it should be a daily practice as we give unto God the glory due His name.