Craig’s Corner
“Things Children don’t think about when they give”
Our oldest son and his family will be with us in two weeks! He will be speaking that Sunday (April 27th) and sharing information about our Partnership with him in the work in New Zealand. I remember an instance about 27 years ago involving my “baby boy”. I was interviewing at a church in Oklahoma and was sitting on the front row quite a ways away from Tomya and Elijah. It would so happen that while the contribution was passing through their area that I heard this “thunk” and then all the change and contribution in the plate exploded and went 1,000 different directions. In doing so, we discovered what dozens of small coins sound like when they hit the tiled floor. The “thunk” was my boy Elijah adjusting himself … preparing to give his contribution as always. His cute little cowboy boot punted the offering plate about 3 feet into the air. He and Tomya frantically tried to clean up. But the thing that bothered him the most was how it effected his usual contribution. He loved to hear each coin hit the bottom of the plate … one coin at a time!
What do kids think about when they give? I have no idea … it’s been a long time since I was young. But I do know that there are many things that they don’t think about. They don’t consider the beating a stock has received that week in the Stock Market. They don’t concern themselves with what movie is coming out this next week. They don’t balance checkbooks or make schedules during the chance to give back to the Lord. They aren’t thinking about car or house repairs … Vacations … or where they will each lunch in a few minutes. They have no clue as to where their money goes after it hits the plate … and there is nothing you can say to convince them that they need to know. They just give … because it’s awesome to give! You will even find in the typical little giver that they would have more fun putting money in the tray than taking money back out!
I look forward to our son’s visit. I look forward to my grandsons’ efforts to give back to God. I hope I learn something from them!
As you give this Sunday for the regular contribution and the Special contribution … try not to think about too many things. Enjoy the moment. Give as a “little child”.
Blessed … and so I try to sow His Blessings;
Craig