There is this whimsical story in Luke 21 that preachers have long used (along with Malachi 3) as sort of “go to” tithing sermons. In the Luke text, the scene is set with a poor widow placing two copper coins into the Temple treasury. Jesus took note of this scene and 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.” Our reading of this - especially in light of preachers...

While the disciples did not always do it well, it is much easier to imagine following Jesus when he on earth walking the dusty streets of...