The worship service ended and, and usual, my family was the last to leave. I was already heading to the car when I heard my mother say, “We’ve already tithed and worked through our budget and savings plan. I have this money left over and I’m not sure what to do with it.”
I turned quickly to see the amount of money she was holding. I wanted to cry out, “I know what you can do with it! You can give it to me! Extra money is something I’m always willing to take.”
But then I saw she was talking to the pastor of our church.
She continued, “Can you put it into whatever area of the church where it’s most needed?”
“Certainly,” he said graciously. “Thank you.”
My mother smiled gently and handed him the money.
That happened over thirty years ago, and I’m so glad I saw it happen. Without realizing it, my mother was teaching me the importance of tithing, keeping a budget and savings plan, and then being extra generous with remaining funds.
This Christmas season, let me encourage everyone to be generous with what the Lord’s given you. It will be important in the moment and just might impact the generosity of the next generation.
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