Views: 1<\/p>
[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 2\u00a0<\/strong> page.]<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>It is not uncommon to hear the following (or similar) words uttered in the prayer before the contribution on the Lord\u2019s day: \u201cFather, bless us as we give this small portion back to thee.\u201d\u00a0 Is this prayer in harmony with the New Testament teaching about giving?<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The widow who gave two mites was not commended because she gave a \u201csmall portion,\u201d but because she gave all she had (Mark 12:44). Those who gave out of their abundance (a small portion?) were not commended. The Lord does not demand that we put every penny we have into the contribution plate. However, He surely did not commend \u201csmall portion\u201d giving, either.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSmall portion\u201d thinking is not in harmony with the constant urgings of principle and precept in the New Testament. Jesus said, \u201cIt is more blessed to give than to receive\u201d (Acts 20:35; cf Luke 6:38). Paul commended the Macedonian saints, not for giving a \u201csmall portion,\u201d but for the \u201criches of their liberality\u201d despite their poverty (2 Cor. 8:2). In the same context, he exhorted all Christians to \u201cabound in this grace [giving] also\u201d (v. 7). Abound<\/em> means to overflow, go beyond, multiply thus to do more than give a \u201csmall portion.\u201d Our Lord was no \u201csmall portion\u201d giver. He gave up everything (the riches of Heaven and even His life) for our sakes (v.9). Had He given only a \u201csmall portion,\u201d we would still be hopelessly lost.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paul stated plainly the consequence of \u201csmall portion\u201d thinking and giving: \u201cHe that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly\u201d (2 Cor. 9:6). We reap what we sow, not only in kind (Gal. 6:7), but in quantity. The amount we give is to be in keeping with the amount we have received or prospered (1 Cor.\u00a0 16:2). However, there is never any encouragement in Scripture to give a \u201csmall portion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The real concern of God is not how much one gives, but how much of our income the gift represents. It is a measure of our love for Him (2 Cor. 8:8). Thus, the small amount of two mites was a much larger gift than the larger amounts given by others which represented only a \u201csmall portion\u201d of their wealth. The moral is, God may indeed be pleased with a small amount, but never with a \u201csmall portion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Surely, considering all that the Bible teaches about generosity, liberality, responsible use of wealth, and duty to take and send the Gospel throughout the world, we cannot seriously expect God to bless us in giving only a \u201csmall portion\u201d for His work. We need to discard \u201csmall portion\u201d wording and thinking and giving.<\/span><\/p>\n [Note:<\/strong> I wrote this article for, and it was published in The Edifier, <\/em>weekly bulletin of Pearl Street Church of Christ, Denton, TX, December 6, 1990, of which I was editor.]<\/span><\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.<\/span><\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 1[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 2\u00a0 page.] \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It is not uncommon to hear the following (or similar) words uttered in the prayer before the contribution on the Lord\u2019s day: \u201cFather, bless us as we give this…<\/p>\n