Low Income Giving - Part 1

In 2 Corinthians 8:1, 2, we find Paul the Apostle commending a church, whose membership, may give you a bit of encouragement. ‘Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.’ Therefore, the churches in Macedonia comprised of those receiving:

SNAP/TANF/CHIP/Medicaid

Head Start

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

HUD/Section 8

Veterans Assistance Programs

Social Security Income/Social Security Disability Income

Unemployment Benefits

- and -

Targeted Homeless Assistance Programs

Though they relied on the government, state, county, and the generosity of others, they gave a portion of their benefits to Paul. Even though they were considered among the poorest, they still gave. When it seemed as if they couldn’t afford or be asked to give, they did. So was this just an extraordinary group of individuals or can we find other evidence of this type of giving in the Bible?

Should Low-Income People Be Expected To Give?

In answering our question, we see this again in Luke 21:1-4. Here we find Jesus overseeing the offering when, ‘…He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” If anyone couldn’t afford to and shouldn’t be expected to, it was this widow. Why didn’t Jesus stop her from giving? Because He knew that in order for her to get out of poverty, she had to. And the same maybe true for you or for those you’ll encounter during this holiday season. If you’re going to give to the less fortunate, share today's and tomorrow's issues with them. Ask them to be sure to tithe or give a portion of what they’ve been given to someone else. Not as a demand, but so as to help them get out of their situation and thereby demonstrate what this season is really all about.

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