Musing – Are we Contributing Donations or making Sacrifices?

 Hebraic Musing – Are we Contributing Donations or making Sacrifices?

Just heard my Christian friend describing his thought process when a member of his church had a need.  He was willing to kick in $20, or maybe even moved to give $100, but he wasn’t sure if he’d be willing to give $500.  As we processed similar challenges we all have faced, we realized there are many cases where we are more than willing to give various amounts -- up to a “breakpoint” where we are no longer comfortable with giving that amount or more.  When we reach our “breakpoint” we get to thinking about the amount in our wallet, or the car payment that is due, or the groceries we need, or the family budget, or … etc., etc.

We are okay with “Contributing” or “Donating” or “Gifting” up to a certain “breakpoint” where we are no longer comfortable.

Let’s look at the decision the “Father of our Faith” had to make when asked to give.  “Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, ‘Abraham!’ ‘Here I am,’ he replied. Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you ‘love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.’” Genesis 22:1-2 NIV   BTW, this is the first mention of “sacrifice” in the Bible and first mentions are often defining situations.  What can we learn from the decision Abraham was confronted with?

Then we opened our Bibles to the Widow’s offering in the NT.  “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.”  Luke 21?1-3 NIV

It might be hard to admit that much of our “giving” is from our wealth, easily affordable, done routinely or already planned.  What kind of “giving” was Jesus recognizing as true “giving” in the previous examples? 

Is there a difference between different kinds of “givings”?  What’s the difference between “Donations” and “Giftings” we tend to do routinely versus “Sacrificial Giving”?

Donations are the act or an instance of donating: such as the making of a Gift especially to a charity or public institution.  (And a Gift is simply sharing something we have that the recipient does not have.)

Sacrificial giving involves giving beyond what is convenient or expected, often requiring personal sacrifice of time, money, or resources, motivated by love for God and others.  It is not merely about the amount given, but the heart and attitude behind the gift, reflecting obedience, trust, and commitment.  In the Bible, sacrificial giving is exemplified by Abraham’s willingness to offer Isaac, demonstrating faith and trust in God’s provision.

There is a way to find out whether our donations (or gift or contribution or weekly offerings) are sacrificial.  We need to examine how we feel about incrementally increasing the amount we are comfortable giving until we reach the uncomfortable “Breakpoint” amount!

Points to Ponder

Might our gift or donation fall short of resolving the need? 

Was it the gifts from their wealth or the 2 mites from the widow that got Jesus’ attention?

How much do you love your neighbor or a friend in need?

Who do we trust for restoration if we give Sacrificially?

Was Jesus’ death on the cross a donation or a sacrifice?
Does our service to His Kingdom require Sacrifices?

“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21 NIV

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                         April 7, 2026            
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”