8th November 2015 – 24th Sunday After Pentecost

I heard a story about a little boy who went into a church one Sunday morning to get out of the cold. He had been trying to sell newspapers, but not a single customer had passed by. He entered the church, hoping to pass an hour unnoticed on the back row. The preacher delivered a powerful sermon about Jesus and his love for us. At the end of the service, they took an offering.

The ushers went from row to row until; finally, one came near to the little newspaper boy. He stopped right in front of the little boy and held out the offering plate. The boy stared at the offering plate, and after a long pause, he asked the usher to place the offering plate on the floor.  Then the little boy did something very unusual. He stepped into the offering plate — first one foot and then the other. He slowly looked up with tears streaming down his cheeks and said, “Mister, I don’t have any money; I haven’t sold a single newspaper today, but if Jesus did all that preacher said he did just for me, I will gladly give my life to Him.”

I don’t know if that story is true, but I do know that the example of that little boy and the example of the widow in the gospel today are meant for us.

It is simply not enough to give God an hour or so on an occasional Sunday. God wants us to give him our all – our minutes and hours and years, our hands, our feet, our hearts, our voices, and our ‘thank offerings’ according to what we have and are able to share.

But please, I beg of you, refrain from doing as that little boy did. Our side’s people are not strong enough to carry you. If you feel so inclined perhaps you might fill in a “work for God” card instead.

Many Blessings

Reverend Shan