Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you. Deuteronomy 16:17
“In terms of charitable monetary giving, many studies have shown that wealthier people give more money in absolute terms than non-wealthy people do, although some evidence suggests that individual giving among the wealthy is highly variable: Some people are exceptionally generous, elevating the overall average level of generosity.
When it comes to whether poorer or wealthier people are more likely to give to charity, the story becomes murkier. Some studies have found that the probability of giving does not vary by income level, while others find that people with higher incomes are more likely to donate.
Similar research discrepancies exist when it comes to who gives more to charity as a proportion of their income, with several studies reporting a U-shaped curve, meaning the very poorest and very wealthiest give the most as a proportion of their income; other studies have found that the poorest households gave the most as a proportion of their income, to both religious and secular causes.”
Summer Allen in “The Science of Generosity” White Paper produced by the Greater Good Science Center.
While Scriptures like today’s text encourage proportionate giving (as we are blessed, we get to bless others) the giving numbers don’t always reflect this trend. Studies seem to show that the wealthy and the poor, by percentage, give the most, while people in the middle give a lower percentage of their total.
Rather than point fingers, let’s each aim to enjoy and share God’s material and spiritual blessings in proportion to His provision to us.
There’s a town in Jamaica called “Constant Spring” named after a spring that flows abundantly. I did not get to see or visit it, but the name sticks with me. We give proportionately, because we serve a God who supplies as an constant spring.
I never recommend reckless giving or sharing that fosters dependency. But I have learned that the Scriptures invitation to give proportionately gives life, brings joy, and blesses others richly.
God worked beyond imagination in Jamaica. A working group from our big event (pictured above) has formed to activate a peer accountability group (like ECFA in USA). Stay tuned for more when we finish the trip report. Early this morning we fly from Jamaica to Cayman Islands.
Appreciate your prayers for favor there too. And we’ve only received a few gifts in response to our request for support of this trip. Please give proportionately to GTP here.