How Much Is Enough?
It is February and that means tax season is in full swing. I am a CPA and do tax returns for the majority of the year (there are many different forms of taxes). Right now the majority of the United States are working on their individual tax returns.
I see many things while doing tax returns, numbers, numbers, numbers. After a while the numbers jumble together and I can’t recall specifics on anyone’s return.
Let me preface – this blog isn’t about judgement, but one if careful thought and self reflection for all of us. Including myself.
One amount I ask everyone is, “How much did you give in charitable contributions?”
I do not judge people when they say none or $100, but it does sadden me after I see how much they make. It’s not about the money, but it’s about the heart. That someone can’t give a little to help those in need.
I feel blessed. I sometimes feel unworthy of what I do have and it causes me to wonder, “What else can I do?” Or “Am I giving enough?”
The truthful answer is we all can do more and give more.
God asks us to not just give 10%, but to give liberally beyond that. But how much is enough? 15%? 20%? 50%?
I wrestle this. Where is the magic line that if I give this amount I’m giving God what He desires and I’m not seen as selfish? I’ve always been told that if you look in someone’s checkbook, there you will see what they consider important. We place importance in what we give our money too. Food, mortgages, school lunches, drugs and alcohol, cell phone bills…the lists is limitless.
What would someone say about you if they took a peak at your vulnerable checkbook?
I’ve often thought, God doesn’t just want my money. He wants all of me – time, talents, possessions – all of me.
I hear people say, “Well, I volunteer and that makes up for not giving.”
But does it really? Can we tell God, I will give you this aspect of my life, but not this part of it.
When we tell God where His place is, we become our own god. We become our own idol. We become what God despises – a proud heart.
But once again, how much time is enough?
In college, I had an idea that I would give God at least 10% of my time – 2.4 hours a day. It was a struggle, and I can’t remember if I ever reached that goal.
But shouldn’t we give God at least that much? That much in prayer, reading, praising, sharing our talents, building up our relationships centered on Him, encouraging the discouraged, visiting the sick, this list too is limitless.
Why does 2.4 hours seem like a long time to do what we are called to do all the time?
Once again, this blog is not one of condemnation, but it’s one of my own self reflection. Unless we reflect on our own distorted and ugly image, we will never correct it.
It’s time to allow God to break us from who we are and build us up into who we are to become. It will hurt. It will. But He is good. He is kind. He is loving. Who better to fix what we didn’t think was broken.
But we are all broken in need of fixing.
So, are you with me?
Peace
