True Sacrificial Giving

Many years ago, I read a biography about a famous Christian inventor who gave away 90% of his income. I remember hearing others speak of his “sacrifice” in awed tones: “Just imagine! Most people only give God 10% and keep 90% for themselves, but this man gave God 90% and only lived on the remaining 10%.” I was duly impressed as well, until I learned that the man earned over $10 million annually…in the 1940’s and 50’s. So while I am truly impressed by his generosity, he nevertheless still lived on $1 million a year…which in today’s economy, would be like making about $10 million. (See tables here.) 

Then yesterday I read an article in a leading Christians news magazine about a plastic surgeon who gave up an income of $7-9 million here in the States to go help Ethiopians who have facial birth defects. He is now making $60,000 annually. That truly is quite a praiseworthy sacrifice! However, when you realize that the per capita annual income for an Ethiopian is $700, a $60,000 income in Ethiopia would be like making about $4 million annually here in the States (where per capita income is $46,000).

None of this is to criticize what these men have done or are doing. I do think they both went way above and beyond what the average person would do with their money. However, I think that God judges by a different standard than we do. Personally, I think that the person who is making $25,000 a year here in the states, and is barely able to pay their rent, but nevertheless gives $1000 a year to help others in need, is way more sacrificial than the men and women that get all the worldly praise and recognition.

(Some Christians might say, “Yeah, but $1000 still isn’t 10%. That Christian should be giving $2,500.” To this I graciously say, “You don’t know what you’re talking about. The 10% tithe is an Old Covenant principle used legalistically by some to steal from others so we can build bigger church buildings. And it never was even 10% anyway. It was closer to 30%.” But that’s another blog post…)

Anyway, I think God views giving much differently than we do. Is God pleased when rich people give away (or give up) large sums of money to serve Him? Sure. But I think He is just as pleased (if not more so) when people who don’t have much of anything at all, choose to use some of their money to help others. That, I am convinced, is true sacrificial giving.