Forbes magazine reports the following:
“The billions keep piling up for many of America’s Great philanthropists. So, too, do their charitable contributions. The nations 25 biggest givers have donated a total of 169 billion over the course of their lifetimes, according to Forbes estimates. That’s up from 149 billion last year, partly due to new information and covered by Forbes – but mostly due to another year of huge giving by these 25 mega – donors.”
Let’s think about this a minute. Why? Some people will say they do it for a tax write off. Maybe somewhat, but they could enlarge their business investments and still write off business expenses. First of all we must thank God for their giving and pray for them. What? Pray for these rich people? Why not? Aren’t they doing God’s work? Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, helping the downtrodden, the widow and educating the poor?
When the offering plate comes around do we take our wallet and thumb past the $50, the several $20s and pull out the torn wrinkled $1 and then as an act of our generosity pull a second $1 to match it and boldly place it in the offering plate, all the while smiling at the usher like we’ve done something? Funny right? We’ll it happens all over the world every Sunday morning.
Here’s something to consider, the Bible teaches us: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38)
Could it be that the difference between us and the wealthy givers is Luke 6:38? In my life I have seen time and time again the blessings bestowed upon generous givers. They don’t give to get, but they do get when they give. You can’t out-give God. You can’t out-give God.
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