There is a lot of purging going on in our house. The weather is cool and we’re pulling out our fall clothes. We’re in the process of deciding what to keep, what to donate and what to throw away.
I used to be one that donated everything. If I didn’t want it, I threw it in the donate pile. I figured someone could use it and it made me feel generous. But that has changed. I once heard a missionary share a story that changed my outlook on donating and gave it a bigger purpose. I wish I could remember her name to give her the credit but for the story’s sake, I’ll call her Mary.
Mary and her husband had served in Africa as missionaries for 20 years. They were retiring and about to move back to the States. Mary worked busily at home, packing up their belongings sorting and making piles of what to keep and what to give away to their African friends.
As she went through their linen she came across a towel. She knew her friend Pierre was stopping by that day to pick up the items she has set aside for him, so she threw it on top of his pile. Not long after this she heard a knock on the door. She showed Pierre his stack and went to locate a box for him.
Moments later she re-entered her bedroom. Pierre’s back was facing her and he was holding up the same towel up by its ends. The sunlight shined through the towel revealing thin areas and a few small holes. Mary, a bit embarrassed, thought, Oh no, I didn’t realize the towel was that worn. I hope I haven’t offended Pierre.
Pierre heard Mary’s presence and turned around with tears in his eyes, “I prayed this morning for God to provide another towel for my family. He has answered my prayer!”
Mary was caught off guard by Pierre’s graciousness. She helped him load the items in the box and led him to the door. After he had left she ran back to her bedroom and locked the door, laid on her bed and cried, “Lord, if I had known I was giving the towel to You, I would have given my best.”
I love this story. I heard it over fifteen years ago yet it still has a huge impact on me. It has two beautiful lessons. Pierre was moved by God’s gift even though it was not in perfect condition. He wasn’t blessed by the gift, he felt blessed that God had heard him and answered. His focus wasn’t on the gift, it was in the Giver.
The second lesson is piercing. Many times God wants to answer the prayers of others through my gifts. When I give my second best it makes God look, uh, well…cheap.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:40, “…I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
So as I purge and give away, I’m reminding myself that I’m not sending this pile to an anonymous group or a faceless person. It is a gift that has God’s name on the tag and I want it to be my best. It may be the answer to someone’s prayer and if it is a gift from God to them, I want it to be the best.
Do you have any insights on generous ways to give to God?
Many of us are struggling financially – does anyone have any suggestions on ways to give our best when our “best” may not be that good in the eyes of the world?
I know a lot of our stuff is worn and old. Does that mean I shouldn’t give it? Any insights?
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