“They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Today we focused on giving.  As illustrated in the title, giving is relative. I’ve seen many an executive give away thousands of shareholder dollars to get themselves a $20 plaque for their generosity; but in reality, they gave nothing. Jesus said we shouldn’t test God (Luke 4:12) but in Malachi 3:10, as Bartt Stevens points out, it says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” 

I particularly like Proverb 11:24, “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.".

I think we all fall short in this area. I know I'm afraid to put God to the test and give away all that I have, but even if we don’t give as much as we could, remember Mathew 6:3, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,” that is, don’t make a show of it to impress people; keep it a secret and God will reward you. You don't need your name on another plaque.