A lesson in value

I found this envelope this morning. It had been tucked away on top of a beam at my parents house. When I looked up I saw it peeking out over the edge just wanting to be discovered.

 When I looked at it I realise that I put there.. it even has a date to tell me when.. the end part is smudged but I think it says 16/10/90 which means  if I'm right I was 10 when I hid it.

I turned it over and confirmed that it indeed was mine and that it had been returned to its rightful owner all these years later. I opened it and out dropped two five cent pieces. At the time, being 10 years old they would have been quite a substantial amount, probably earnt doing jobs around the house or in a competition with my brother that my Dad set up to see who had the cleanest room (5c and 10c are a lot money when you are child- we earnt 10c if we won, 5c if we came second.. I inevitably won, predominately because my room was smaller!) I remember the excitement of hiding them- they had such value!

 

As I looked at those two coins I reflected on money and it's value especially as money has been on my mind a lot  lately. Paying for training, flights, visas, travel insurance all adds up- plus putting your heart on the line and sharing your story constantly praying that people would be willing to invest in your future.

 

It's hard when people aren't willing to invest in you or say yes and then don't follow through. I am really having to learn to keep my eyes on God and realise that He is Jehovah Jireh my provider.

Its easy to be tight fisted and not want to give when you have so much need. A while ago I felt stirred to give a sustainable amount to a couple attending training with me. It was difficult to give as I still had major things to pay for, but knew that in giving that I would receive... and that my gift would bless them so much.

 

I am reminded too of the story in the Bible about the Widow's Mite.

 

 

Luke 21:1-4

New King James Version (NKJV)

21 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. [two copper coins]  3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God,[a] but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

 

I am willing to give all that I have for the sake of the gospel? Am I willing to give to others even if I myself have need?

 

These 2 5c coins have reminded me though value isn't based on what you have- it's based on what you give..

 

Luke 6:38

New Living Translation

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."

 

Am going to be looking at ways to give this week and these 2 coins are going to be the first coins that I use to give..