Mark Batterson begins Chapter 15 (“Count the Fish”) of The Grave Robber by discussing something he calls “The Giving Game”. Mark and his wife Lori have an ultimate goal to reverse tithe- to live off 10 percent and give 90 percent back to God. To achieve this goal, they give God a greater percentage of their income every year- The Giving Game. The irony of this game is that you never can win, because it’s impossible to out-give God.
Pastor Batterson emphasizes that the gospel is not about raising our standard of living, but rather our standard of giving. Mark contrasts the selfish mindset and the miraculous mindset:
“A selfish mindset believes that the more you give, the less you’ll have. It thinks in terms of addition and subtraction. A miraculous mindset believes the exact opposite: the more you give, the more God can provide. It thinks in terms of multiplication.”
Contentment, Mark adds, is appreciating what you have, not getting what you want. We can’t allow ourselves to become discouraged by how little we may have to give. The object of The Giving Game isn’t how much you give, but how much you keep. The widow’s offering of two mites (Luke 21:1-4) was significant because she kept nothing for herself. Giving beyond our ability enables God to multiply beyond our ability.
Today’s question: How has God multiplied your gifts following your vocation loss? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Try the other side!”
