Warren, you say that I should make giving a priority, but after I cover all my necessary expenses, I have very little—if anything—left to give.

I get this question quite often from seniors who are on a fixed income and wondering if they’re supposed to give. Let me say first that true biblical giving is not done under compulsion or out of obligation, but is to be done cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). So if you are just writing a check because you think you’re getting “God points,” then you’re giving for the wrong reason altogether!

Your question really brings to mind Jesus’ teaching in Luke 21:1-4,

As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

You see? This poor woman didn’t have much to give, but she gave what she had and was commended for giving much less than the rich because she gave out of her heart.

God’s wants you to give from your heart. He has promised to provide for you and will be faithful to that promise if you give as He leads. So pray and ask Him for guidance in your giving. And when you give, do it with a cheerful heart!