From The Pastor’s Pen – By Brian Horrobin
Our world tends to go ga ga over people who give large amounts of money to good causes.
I am not saying that is a bad thing, but perhaps we are missing the point a little.
Not everyone is able to give large financial gifts, as they just don’t have the means to do so.
The late Mother Teresa captured the essence, I think, of what constitutes “grand giving.”
She said, “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.”
Have you ever noticed how a young child embraces their grandmother or grandfather?
They are effusive with hugs and kisses, and the grandparent usually returns the favour.
That is grand giving!
Back in 1998 I was doing a 2-week missions trip in Eastern Ukraine with another pastor friend of mine.
Most of the people we ministered to had suffered much under communism and were living in poverty.
At one church where we preached there were two ladies who had arrived at the church early and cooked all morning so that Dick and I could have a delicious lunch of homemade perogies and borscht.
This meal was amazing, let me tell you! But the real treasure was the look on these ladies’ faces as they watched Dick and I eat this special lunch.
These two elderly women, who had very little by way of this world’s resources, had put their heart and soul into this meal.
The perogies were incredible but it was their love that was the key ingredient.
We read in 2 Corinthians 9:7 that “God loves a cheerful giver.”
That is not limited to money.
Love and joy should be in every offering we make.
Let’s try that on for size this week!
