Take from among you an offering to the LORD; let whoever is of a generous
heart bring the Lord's offering. (Exodus 35:5
NRSV)
A little girl was in church one Sunday morning with her grandmother. Everything went well until
it was time for the offering. The grandmother began to frantically search through her purse, but
she could not find her offering envelope. Apparently she had left it at home. It was one of those
embarrassing moments as she kept looking through her purse for something to put in the
collection plate. Her granddaughter sensed her dilemma. The little girl had a solution to her
problem. "Here, Gramma," she told her, "you take my quarter and put it in, and I'll hide under the
seat!"
Children learn from watching adults. That is how they find out what is important in life. I
remember when I was growing up. I first time I saw a large dollar bill was in the offering plate.
Seeing all that money in the offering plate made me aware of the importance of the church. This
experience has continued to influence my support of the church. I also remember my dad giving
me a coin to put into the offering during Sunday School. The coin became a powerful symbol of
what was important. I can remember wanting to keep that precious coin, so I could buy some
candy or a new toy. But I have learned that candy and toys and all the other luxuries of life come
and go. The church, however, is eternal.
Prayer: Loving God, thank you for all the support you give me through Christ's church.
Help me to be equally as generous in my support of your eternal church. Amen.
Written by: Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA
Sunday, May 10, 1998