In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own.
2 Corinthians 8:2-3 NIV
Rich Generosity
Using information from Canada Revenue Agency and the Fraser Institute, Charitable Impact’s 2022 study on Canadians giving to charities points out that the percentage of Canadians who have claimed donations in their tax returns has fallen to the lowest point in 20 years. Fewer Canadians supporting registered charities could lead to a funding gap for the non-profit sector across Canada. So can the fact that on average, Canadians tend to give less than 1% of their income to charity.
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Jesus used a poor widow to teach a lesson about giving. The disciples noticed that she gave two small copper coins. Jesus uses this to teach them another principle of the Kingdom of God. He tells them that she put more in the treasury than all others. The disciples must have wondered at that. There were some very rich members of the local synagogue. They gave great sums of money for the Lord’s work. How is it possible that this woman had given more? Jesus must have understood what they were thinking because He answers that question – the reason she gave more was because she gave her all. As a widow in that society, she would have had no means of income. Yet she still gave. Paul would deal with the same principle in writing about the Macedonian believers. He writes this: “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own.” If the poor widow and the poor Macedonians were so generous, we must be as well in supporting the work of the Kingdom.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley