Mark 12:41-44

41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

 

GOD does not measure devoution in currency. I believe HE measures it by sacrifice, which is a direct display of faith. The Bible tells us to tythe ten percent of our earnings to the Church as a minimum but there is no sealing on a maximum amount. Whatever you tythe is really not the issue as GOD doesn't need or want your money. Our donations are to help grow the body or Church in order to build the number of GOD's followers and as important as that is, its not the ultimnate display of our faith.

 

Like the widow in Mark 12, I believe GOD appreciates our sacrifices more than the amount of donations we make. A wealthy man can donate much money but will he sacrifice his time? For me, devouting time to charitable causes or to comfort those in distress is far more valuable in a spiritual sense than the simple and all-to-easy act of putting money into the collection box, unless, like the widow, you are putting your life savings into it. 

 

Amounts of money do not impress GOD unless what you donate is truly a sacrifice. Through sacrifice, we show our faith and by faith, we gain GOD's grace.