How Do I Give?

When you give offerings, how much do you give? When the offering bag comes your way, do you just dig in your pocket and fish out whatever is there and then put it in? Or do you plan for it, have your money ready in an envelope way before it's time to go to church? And when you give your offering, how do you give it?

There's this story in the Bible--one of those which Jesus Himself told to drive home some truths. It's about these two givers who went to the temple to worship. One was a rich man, and as he gave his generous offering, he made sure that his money made this clinkety-clank-clunk sound was heard by every worshiper around. I'm giving my offering, was his loud message. His offering was big, but his heart was not really into the giving, it was focused on something else.

Another giver, a poor woman, looked sadly at her two small coins. It was her last and she felt so small, so desperate, so sorry that she couldn't give more. When the offering plate came her way, she bowed her head, and tried to conceal her offering as well as she could, embarrassed that she could give so little. Yet, Jesus said, this woman gave more. She gave all that she had.

I have yet to tell this story to my son but he has already shown me the meaning of giving all that he had. One morning, just before church, I asked him to prepare his offering. During the week, I would randomly give him 10 baht for keeping his toys, or helping out so as to teach him how to earn money. His dad would also ask him for a massage and pay him the same amount. I have taught him how to set aside his tithes, but the rest of his money, I told him he can spend it any way he want to. So he keeps his little treasure in his money bag.

When I checked on him a while later, he came to me beaming, Mommy, I have so much money! This is my offering! Turns out he emptied his money bag, and stuffed all the coins in his pocket. I said, But you don't have any more money left, are you sure you want to give them all? I had to make sure he knew what he was doing, I didn't want him crying later.

Never mind, mommy, I'm giving it all. I want more heathen children to know about Jesus. I can work again tomorrow, I will wake up really early so I can work.

Ain't that a lesson for mommy to learn? No worries about having no more money left. As long as I give it all to Jesus, I can always work again tomorrow.