What is Spiritual Giving and How Much Should We Give?

Spiritual giving is more than just giving money.  It can also be giving of your time and talents.  What exactly is spiritual giving and how much we give?  As Christians we are called to not only give, but to give cheerfully. 

2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Our gifts must come from the heart.  We are called to give abundantly.  The Bible lists many examples of spiritual giving in parables.  One of my favorite parables is about the poor widow.  This parable shows what cheerful and abundant giving looks like.  It is not about the size of the giving as shown in this parable, but rather the heart of the giver.

Mark 12:41-44 “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.”  Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Spiritual giving of your time and talents.

We all have talents and skills that God blessed us with.  Each of us also has the same amount of time in a day.  We can give of our time and talents in a spiritual way.  When we freely give of ourselves though volunteerism, we are showing God's love for others.  Giving your time and talents to others that cannot repay you, is one of the most rewarding gifts that you can give.

Acts 20:35 “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Showing others God's love, lets our light shine.  No matter how much or how little we have, we can still be a blessing to others in many ways.  Spiritual giving is not just something that we are called to do.  When we give, we build relationships between us, God and the person who we are trying to reach.

Do a little more for someone.  Give a little more than you feel comfortable giving.  You will be surprised how spiritual giving can change your life.