Should the Poor Give?

For those of you new to Free Money Finance, I post on The Bible and Money every Sunday. Here's why.

The members of the Christian Financial Alliance recently addressed the issue of whether or not the poor should give. Here was the "question" posed to us all:

Do you believe the Bible teaches the poor should or shouldn’t give?

Here was my answer:

“I believe everyone should give according to their ability. I also believe that a smaller gift from a poorer person is just as 'valuable' as a larger gift from a wealthier person. 2 Corinthians 8:12 says, 'For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.'”

What's your take on the issue? Do you agree or disagree with me?

Comments

[Matt]

I believe the gift from the heart is more than anything. My wife gives more of her time to help others, listen, be sympathetic, give encourgment,a happy smile, a plate of brownies, a simple note. That is why she is an awsome teacher.

I find this far more valuable becasue she is giving of herself and in most cases more fufilling and appreciated more than anything.

[KH]

Sure the poor can give $ if they like, but they shouldn't give if their "income" is actually a gift from others--welfare, help from family. The poor also shouldn't give IMO if the giving means that they won't be able to adequately support themselves, their children etc. Unless you have your own family taken care of, you have no business giving to others.

Goes for both $ and time, IMO--for example, a parent shouldn't be volunteering tiem with the local food shelf or church or little league while his or her own children are having problems that could be helped by their parent spending more time with them.

[slow and steady wins the race]

"You'll never be able to afford tithing until you start."

[stoihi]

“Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came in and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44

[billbillbill]

The Saviors description of the importance of the widows mite demonstrates that we all need to demonstrate faith by giving.

[Ben Getter]

Stoihi hit the nail on the head. The bible directly addresses this. The idea put forth by KH is interesting (not tithing if on welfare, etc).

[Brent]

This article reminds me of the story in the Gospel of Mark of the poor woman giving all that she has. Jesus said that offering was just as valuable as a rich person giving from his excess wealth. I think that shows that everyone, rich and poor, are called to help one another.

Practically speaking, I think people do need to look after themselves and their family's needs first and shouldn't donate money that isn't their's. However, we have the ability to donate more than just money whether that be time, advice, expertise, etc. To put a spin on Mark's Gospel, I think God would be just as impressed with a poor person donating his/her time doing charity work as a rich person throwing in a lot of money towards a charity.

[Kris @ Everyday Tips]

I think that it is up to all humans to help each other in any way they can, and there are many ways to help other than monetarily.

Ideally, everyone would help each other out, and we would have this wonderful world. Unfortunately, we are humans and selfishness and other traits/emotions take over at times.

If you are poor, you can still give the gift of time. If a family member helps you financially, then you can babysit for that person when they need it. If the school pays for your kid's school trips, then you can volunteer more often at the school. There are always ways to help.

[BD]

Yes, the poor should give "something".
NO, they should not be "required" to give at least 10% monetarily or more. It's when I hear people saying that the poor should give at least 10% of their money, that I get mad. It's usually people who are well-off who say this sort of stuff too. I hardly ever hear anyone who can't pay their basic needs like rent or utilities saying this (although, I have heard a few poor people say they do tithe 10% and just hope to God that they have enough to pay their bills as well....and sometimes, they do fall behind).

[Luis]

You can give in other ways that are more precious than giving money. Giving blood, marrow, and other blood products are big examples that money cannot buy. Imagine!

[JR]

Jesus did not say "this woman should not have given all she had to live on" but praised her for it. While I don't disagree with others' comments that there are other ways to give besides financially, let me say that everyone with an income should give. The amount in absolute terms is not as important as giving as God leads (which may well be above a tithe).

[Luis]

@JR If everyone gave including those in need to receive, then who is there left to receive?

How much should a receiver receive? If he gave a tenth but then needed to receive, would he not need to receive more than a tenth? How does that work?

[Andrey]

i do not agree with this idea.

[Josh D.]

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians+9&version=NIV

2 Cor 9:7
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

I think that's clear that each should give. The amount is not the important part...it's the heart.

[[email protected]]

What level of income constitutes poverty?

[Nikki]

Money isn't everything. If you're going off the Bible then giving with your hands and heart is the greatest reward. Even if you donate just a dollar or two to a cause you are contributing something greater. Also, if you're actually taking the time out of your day and busy schedule then you are doing more for the community.

It really isn't about money and your worth. It's about your ability to care about the world around you. So if you can give back, give a little because in the end it does help a lot.

[LotharBot]

Be careful that you do not "give" that which you already owe to someone else. If you are in debt, do not slack on paying your debt in order to give; if you do, you are stealing from those you owe. If you have others to care for, do not give out of what you should be using to take care of them.

Also: don't feel like money is the only possible gift. Give of your time. Give of your ability. Help others, not just with cash.

[Elizabeth]

I 100% agree with the posting. Giving is a heart issue. It's not the amount per se but the attitude in which one is giving that I believe matters most to God. If all one can give is $1 or $.05, that may be a lot to that person so it counts just as much. Such as the poor widow mentioned in the book of Mark. She gave ALL that she had and Jesus said that she had given more than the others.

[Victoria]

I absolutely agree with you and 2 Corinthians 9:7, "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."

To God, the condition of the heart is key. In fact, God will bless the cheerful giver and, in turn, increase his/her capacity to give.

[Georgia]

I have always used the 10% as a guideline and more when I have it. Even when our family of four lived on $50 a week in the 60's, it was 10%. We were working on a farm and had a garden space and our employer gave us the grain for our chickens and we got 1 hog and 1/2 a beef each year. So, our actual income was higher than the $50 and so we felt that 10% of our actual pay was absolutely essential.

I fully believe that God provides. Maybe not the filet mignon of foods or supplies or clothing. But, He provides. And He trusts me to spend the other 90% wisely. Furthermore, I always gave from a grateful, trusting heart.