Several years ago, my pastor announced at church the sad news that his daughter and her family had been robbed. The family had moved across the country to start a church. The church was growing quickly in size. One Sunday, while the family was away at service, thieves broke into their apartment and stole a number of items including electronics. The husband worked in information technology. His computer was his livelihood. The pastor announced they would be taking up a love offering for the family at the next church service.
Deeply moved by this story, I prayed to God. "Lord, I really want to help out, but I am so poor. I have so very little money. I want to give this family money, but what should I give?" The amount of twenty-five dollars kept popping into my mind. As much as I wanted to give $25, I did not have much more than that in my possession. Giving $25 would leave me almost completely broke. Day after day I kept praying about the amount to give. And every day, $25 kept popping into my mind. I joyfully, but reluctantly gathered the $25. At the next service, I gave the money as a love offering.
When I returned home from church, I checked my emails. There sitting in my inbox was a notice from half.com. I had sold a book I had posted for sale six years before. The amount the book sold for was $24.93. I was completely dumb-founded! I had completely forgotten about the book; I had completely forgotten I had it listed for sale. For six years, not one person bid on the item. But today, while I was at church giving a donation to a needy family, the Lord directed someone to buy my book.
Tears of great joy and overwhelming ingratitude filled my eyes. I had so desperately wanted to give a love offering, but I was in torment as to how financially broke this offering was going to leave me. Yet, when I trusted that the LORD would provide and gave almost all that I had, the LORD, in His abundant goodness, blessed me with hidden financial resources. I joyously sent up many prayers of appreciation to God. "Oh, thank you Lord! Thank you, thank you, thank you! This offering which should have cost me $25 is now only going to cost me $0.07! Oh Lord, I can afford to give seven pennies!" Since this day, I never worry about money. When someone is in need, I pray to God and ask how much I should give. Time after time, God always provides the resources needed to give...and often the resources come from the most unexpected places!
"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:26-33)
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