“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” -- 2 Corinthians 9: 6
Stacy (14), her Mom and two sisters, lived quite modestly. Her father died five years earlier leaving them penniless. A month before Easter, their Pastor announced that a special offering would be taken to help a needy family. He implored everyone to give sacrificially.
Stacy had an idea. They could save $20 by living on 50 pounds of potatoes for a month. If they kept their lights off and didn't listen to the radio, they’d save money on the electric bill. They raised extra money by cleaning houses, babysitting and ironing – all to give away!
As their funds grew, they’d gather in the dark each night and talk excitedly about how one poor family was going to enjoy having things that they themselves, might never own. If every one of the 80 people in their congregation did the same – that lucky family would thrive.
The day before Easter 1936, Stacy exchanged their earnings for three crisp $20 bills and one $10. She’d never held so much money before. Excitement filled their home - they couldn’t even sleep that night.
On Easter morning, they walked nearly a mile to church in the chilly rain. The lack of an umbrella didn’t dampen their spirits. They were so proud! She didn’t care that they didn’t have new clothes for Easter; they had $70 to give away!
That afternoon the Pastor stopped by and gave Mom an envelope. The envelope contained a bunch of money: precisely 3 crisp $20 bills, one $10, seventeen $1s and some change. She stood speechless . . . Hers was the “needy” family.
Stacy felt ashamed. They went from feeling “rich” in character to “poor” and disadvantaged. They owned exactly two dinner knives that were passed around to whoever needed them: but, no way did they ever consider themselves underprivileged!
Silence continued well into the next week. Embarrassment aside, Mom forced them to church the following Sunday where a Missionary talked about how his Haitian church was built from sun-dried bricks. He still needed $100 to complete the roof.
Stacy elbowed Mom . . who then smiled for the first time in 7 days. She reached into her purse and placed the envelope of donated cash in the collection plate. Later, the Missionary announced that they had collected a little over $100. He was grateful - he hadn't expected such a generous gift from the small church.
Wow! thought Stacy . . . her family had donated $87 of that "little over $100." They were “rich” again.
Jesus, we are incredibly blessed this Easter. We have no worries about food and shelter and are often surrounded by the luxuries of life! We accept our responsibility as Christians to care for those less fortunate. Amen
