The kids came home from Nana's house Saturday, each with $10. I have no idea why... other than the fact that they probably said they wanted $10 so Nana gave them $10! Anyway, Andrew was all excited to go to Target and buy a Lego he had seen there for $9.95. I asked him if he had more money that he was going to take with him. He said, no, just his newly acquired $10.
I told him that he would have to save a little because he did not have enough for the Lego. Perplexed, he told me... the toy is $9.95 and I have $10! I explained that tax would add 85 cents to the cost but more than that, he did not have $10. He only has $9 because he is to give God $1 of that before he spends it on anything. He then said... "Oh I was going to give my offering. I was going to buy my Lego and then give what was left over." Oh my... Charles and I (after smothering a giggle) explained that God does not want or deserve our left overs. He requires that we give to Him the first of our fruits. But then as I pondered on this throughout the day, I wondered how often we do actually give Him our left overs without even realizing it. How often to I make time for everything and everyone and only spend time with God at the end of the day IF I still have time and am not too tired? How often to I pay all of my bills and THEN write my check to the church? God commands us give back to Him first. The truth is that He owns all of it yet we try to hang onto to all of it. He asks that we give freely with an open hand and He will pour out blessings.
The good that came through this spontaneous teachable moment is that as Charles was getting ready to cut the grass, Andrew went outside and asked if he could earn $2 for cutting the front yard! So, our yard work was done more quickly because the two of them worked together, and Andrew now had $12.00 which was enough to give his $1.20in tithe and have enough to buy the desired Lego! Not to mention, I had a sobering conviction to make sure that I always strive to give to God first and surrender all to Him for His control.
