I hope you’ve thought about how much you should give. It’s a subject which should be on the mind of believers.

Unfortunately, believers usually think about how little they should give rather than how much. When the subject does come up, it usually revolves around the tithe (ten percent). Christians talk about a tithe of the net (after taxes) or gross (before taxes) and usually miss the point found in Scripture.

Jesus gave us at least two examples for our giving. Neither example involved a tithe; both involved giving everything for God.

Both examples are found in the Gospel of Mark and each is found in the last week of the earthly ministry of Jesus.

On Wednesday of Passion Week Jesus attended a dinner party at the home of Simon the Leper. Apparently, Jesus had healed Simon of his leprosy and out of gratitude Simon invited Jesus and many others to his home. An unidentified woman (Mary, the sister of Lazarus?) also attended the party.

The woman brought an alabaster jar of pure and expensive oil of nard. She broke the jar and poured the oil over the head of Jesus. Some in attendance wondered why she had given so much (a year’s wages). Jesus defended the woman’s action and assured those in attendance that wherever the Gospel is proclaimed this woman’s action would also be told Mark 14:3-11).

She gave more than would have ever been required. She gave extravagantly and out of a heart of love and gratitude.

On the previous day, Jesus sat near the treasury in the Temple, watching as people gave their offerings.

Jesus watched as a widow gave two tiny coins which were worth almost nothing (Mark 12:41-45). Though some rich people had placed large amounts in the treasury, Jesus explained that the widow had given more than any other because she gave out of her poverty. Others gave out of surplus.

Neither of these women gave out of compulsion or guilt. Neither asked how much they had to give or how much they ought to give. They each gave themselves as a sacrifice to God. Each made a gift which was remarkable to Jesus.

Are you giving out of the depth of your love? Is your giving remarkable to Jesus?

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