Giving to the Lord

The Lord spoke to Moses about taking a ransom from the children of Israel so that “there may be no plague among them.” The ransom (Heb. “koper”) amounted to a half shekel ($5) per everyone that was twenty years old or older during the head count. The purpose of the ransom was to take money from the sons of Israel and give it for the service of the tent of meeting – where God met with them. The ransom money was an offering by the Lord’s redeemed people to Him who preserved their lives. [1]

Jesus noticed the giving of two unnamed ladies in the Bible: a poor widow and another woman who poured out expensive fragrant oil on His head. The poor widow gave two mites to the Lord which was $1.88 in today’s currency! At that moment, it was all that she had to live on. The other woman’s fragrant offering was worth three hundred denarii ($608) according to those in the room. She made those observers angry. “They criticized her sharply. But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always.’” [2]

We pay money for services and merchandise that we value. We should give to the Lord for all that He has done for us.

The Lord asks, “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,’ says the Lord of hosts; ‘And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,’ says the Lord of hosts.” [3]

Jesus told one enquirer, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” [4]

The Lord wants our love. Giving financially to advance His good news to others is one way to express love to Him. No matter how much or how little, give because we love Him!

[1] Exodus 30:11-16; thebiblesays.com
[2] Mark 12:41-44; Mark 14:3-9; Tyndale.com; walletinvestor.com
[3] Malachi 3:8-12
[4] Mark 12:29-31