Living out the virtue of charity often involves giving—of our time, possessions, and money—to those in need. But, you may wonder, how much should we give?
The gospel of Mark gives a straightforward, albeit challenging, answer:
41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
There is no formula for the virtue of charity. C.S. Lewis puts it bluntly: “I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.”
Have a wonderful day.
