One of my girlfriends grew up with her missionary parents in Brazil. She dwelt most of the year safely ensconced in boarding school. But summers brought carefree days in the remote, native village where her parents toiled to share the Gospel of Christ.
Supporters often sent them gift boxes from the USA, and the missionary family eagerly anticipated the arrival of these coveted items. Sugar, coffee, American ethnic goodies, candy for the children, popcorn and staples and other treats often peered at them from the brimming gift boxes.
The family always put the unopened box on the coffee table in the center of the room. They made a ceremony out of opening the container, giving thanks to God before they ever removed the tape, which sealed the box.
The children knelt around the table, leaning up in order to view the desirable objects at the soonest possible second. Their parents, grown up but still children within, held the same enthusiastic expectancy. The whole family always smiled with delight as they examined the carefully chosen gifts from their loyal supporters.
One day, however, instead of the fulfillment of their joy, disappointment resulted when they opened the box. Inside was a large, heavy glass jar, full to the brim with USED tea bags. The donors, obviously proud of their sacrifice, reminded them that several cups of tea could come from one bag.
How many of us are also guilty of giving God our “used teabags”, and trying to pass them off as our reasonable service (Romans 12:1)? Do we give Him the leftovers of our time, talents, and money - using them first for our own benefit and glory, and then giving Him our scraps?
Prayer:
Father God, Christians all over the world exhibit this same attitude. They take the first fruits of their earnings, as well as the blessings You provide for them, and they consume it upon their own lusts. Then they give You their used leftovers or simply put a tip in the offering basket/box.
Help me not to have this same habit and outlook in my life. I often wondered about the mentality behind such a crass and selfish gesture. Due to the heavy glass jar, the money saved in postage alone could have sent the missionaries a dozen boxes of new tea bags. Teach us how to give You all the honor and glory that You deserve.
Thought for the Day:
God gives us a mandate to give ten percent of our first fruits to Him, and His Word declares that giving anything less than ten percent is actually robbing from God; we do not really want to steal from the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Ruler of the Universe, so instead, let us give Him our all.
- Malachi 3:8-18
