The Best Offering

It didn’t take long to realize that God was going to teach me a lot through our children…and He continues to do so.

When the boys were young, we pretty much had a Saturday morning routine.  After chores were completed and the Sunday School lesson was read, it was time for the weekly allowance and getting their offering envelopes ready for church.  The year that Brad and Chad were in kindergarten, they earned 50 cents each week.  They would either bring a nickel or five pennies to put in their envelope.  About halfway through the year, Chad brought two pennies and said that was his offering.  I explained that he needed to bring me a nickel or five pennies, not just two pennies.  He was not pleased, but finally went and brought three more pennies.

The next Saturday, Chad again brought only two pennies and said that was all he would give.  I remember telling him that it was important enough to me that he give the “right” offering that he wouldn’t get his allowance until he was willing to do so.  That was OK with him because he “still had more money in his bank”.  Not letting the situation go, I finally asked him why he would not give the five cents.  He burst into tears and said, “Jesus said two pennies was the best offering.”  You see, in Sunday School, he had heard the story of the widow’s offering.

Mark 12:41-44

⁴¹ Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴² But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

 ⁴³ Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴ They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Since Jesus said that two pennies was the best offering, that is what he wanted to give.  After talking more about the story and why Jesus said that, he went to his room and brought back more than five cents.  His motive was to give Jesus the best.  And the best offering always involves the heart.  Lesson learned… and remembered.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Health Update:  I had my 5^th infusion today and am now the recipient of a total of 1 billion new stem cells.  While I was having my treatment, we were able to visit with three other people who were there to meet with the doctor and make preparations to begin the process.  Since this may be my last treatment, one of the doctors asked Larry for his business card so he can call Larry when he needs him to pray specifically for him.  Whenever Larry drives by their office, on his way to make hospital visits, he always prays for the doctors, Celltex, and the patients who will be receiving treatments.  We’ll definitely be going back to visit from time to time.  What an incredible experience this has been.  God is so good and has blessed us both abundantly during these days.  And now we gratefully wait and see and rejoice.