REWARDS IN BIG JAR GIVING Research shows that only about 9% of the things people own are in cash. Our cash may include money in a savings account, checking account, or other special savings accounts, such as a retirement account or money in our pocket. Where is the rest of our money?
We are living in very challenging and stressful times in which possession, money, and wealth matter to all. However, if not careful, the pursuit of selfish desires will pull us away from what really matters, which is our relationship with God and one another.
Satan uses the things of this world to tempt and lure us to him. However, the Word of God provides us with the guidance needed to avoid his trap.
In the Bible, God has provided us with practical guidance on how to live above the stresses of life, and we are given instructions on how to manage the resources He has given us.
In this series,
From a biblical perspective, we are looking at how to manage effectively the resources God has given us while prioritizing What Really Matters.
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Talking to the Father
Holy Father, help us be more diligent about the resources you give us. Give us the heart and faith to give back to you a substantial portion of what you have given us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Most of our money is in things we possess, such as homes, cars, clothing, furnishing, electronics, jewelry, perfumes, furs, or other nonliquid assets.
And most people give their offerings to God from the small jar. They give from their checking account, pocket, or wallet. But when people really get excited about something, they are said to give from the big jar.
An example of big jar giving is found in Mark 14:3–9 and John 12:2–8
Mark 14:3-9
3 And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. (Split)
4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted?
5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply.
6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me.
7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always.
8 She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.
9 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” (Mark 14:3-9) (Split)
John tells of this same incident in John 12:2-8
2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.
3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said,
5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.
8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.” (John 12:2-8)
Mary’s gift was worth 300 denarii. A denarius was a type of Roman coin. 300 Roman denarii was a full year’s pay. So we can say that Mary’s gift came from the “big jar”.
Not long After Mary poured this expensive gift on Jesus’ head and feet, Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, sold Him to the religious leaders for only 30 pieces of silver, according to Matthew 26:15.
15 and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:15)
Compared to Mary’s gift, the pay Judas got was nothing. The 30 pieces of silver were only worth one-third of the amount of money that Mary’s expensive perfume was worth.
But Judas was selfish and greedy. A greedy person is someone who wants far more than they need. Like Judas, greedy people are willing to sell themselves to Satan for far less than they are worth.
Barnabas is another example of a person giving out of the big jar. Barnabas was a companion of Paul. In the Testament, the work of Barnabas for God is mentioned 28 times. Barnabas loved God, and his hard work showed how much he loved Him.
Barnabas spent his life traveling from place to place to share the Good News about Jesus with people everywhere. In fact, Acts 4:36, 37 shows where Barnabas’ heart was.
36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,
37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:36-37)
Surely Barnabas was a big jar giver. He is a powerful example of Jesus’ words when he said,
“ ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’ ” (Matt. 6:21).
You see, Barnabas did not spend his money selfishly on himself. He gave everything he could to help support God’s cause. In giving, He did not suffer for want. For God blesses us when we give to bless others.
Those self-sacrificing, consecrated ones who give back to God the things that are His, as He requires of them, will be rewarded according to their works. Even if the means consecrated be misapplied and does not accomplish the object which the donor had in view that is for the glory of God and the salvation of the souls. Those who made the sacrifice in the sincerity of the heart, with an eye single to the glory of God, will not lose their reward.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 518. (Adapted)
Yes, there are blessings in Giving. God blesses those who, with a willing heart, that bless others, and there is even a greater blessing in store for the big jar giver. The big jar giver is the one who gives over and beyond what they have in their bank accounts or in their wallets. What type of giver are you?
If you want to return tithe and offering and do not have a church home, consider giving online,
@ Adventistgiving.org
in the name of my local Church:
Hebron Seventh-day Adventist Church 7902 Wheatly Street Houston, TX 77088
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