Give 'Til It Stops Hurting

How much can $2 buy today? Well, without a coupon or a sale the answer is, not much. Where I live, it cannot buy a gallon of milk or a gallon of gas. It might buy a loaf of bread if you are lucky. Sometimes you can get a box of cereal for $2, but not often. The fact is that had you asked me when I woke up this morning how much $2 would buy, I would have said, "Next to nothing."

I ran into the grocery store to pick up a few things after our Sunday morning service. I was in a bit of a hurry - trying to get home to give my little one some lunch so she could get a nap before we head out for a special service this evening. We normally do not attend a Sunday evening service, but we are raising money for my husband to go on a missions trip to New Orleans next month. Following the special "concert" tonight we are having a bake sale to support that missions endeavor. In any case, I was in a hurry.

When I walked up to the register to check out, there was a young mother with two children. One was about my daughter's age - maybe a little older. The mother was fumbling through her change purse trying to count out enough money for her purchase. She seemed flustered and a bit embarrassed because she did not have enough money.

Now, let me say that I very rarely have any cash in my purse. I suppose I am a child of the digital age. Our funds are put into the bank via direct deposit, and plastic is our mode of currency. In this instance, I just happened to have a couple of dollars in my purse left over from parking money used last time we took my daughter to the doctor. I almost gave those two dollars in our benevolence offering this morning, but I was on stage with a guitar slung across my shoulder. So, I opted not to make a fuss about giving my two little dollars.

Back to the checkout line. I asked the cashier, "How much does she need?" The response was $1.73. I quickly pulled out my $2 and handed it to the cashier. She put the money in the register and tried to hand the change back to me. I told her to give it to the young woman. She smiled and thanked me, took her two little ones and left the store.

Now, ask me how much $2 can buy. I have no idea what it bought that young woman. I know it gave me the most wonderful feeling I have had in days. With Father's help it gave me the realization that no matter how little I have to give, it is more than enough in His hands. That $2 was not going to pay my electric bill. It would not have put gas in my car, but it gave someone else exactly what she needed when she needed it.

Isn't that how Papa works? He puts us all in situations where only His impeccable timing can account for the way events unfold. I believe that I needed to give that $2 even more than that woman needed to receive it. Sometimes it does us more good to make a sacrifice whether it be finances, time or otherwise than it does the person or people for whom we sacrifice.

You know I always laugh a little bit to myself when an offering is taken and the person in charge says, "Every dollar counts." Oh, I know it is true, but I also know that most of the time that same person is wondering how many $100, $500 or $1000 gifts are going to be given. When I worked outside the home, I used to love being able to be one of those people who could give $100 or more. Now, I no longer have the ability to do that. But I rediscovered today that Papa can do more with $2 than any investment banker I know.

So, next time you think you do not have enough to give, don't bet on it. Give when Papa provides the opportunity. Money is only one way we give, and even then, it's not worth much if it is not given in love. That's why I say, "Give 'till it stops hurting." You see, as soon as you allow Father to move upon your heart to give in the way He wants, it won't hurt at all. Besides, you never know what $2 will get you, even in today's economy!!