They Know A Lot About Giving

Answering a knock on the door of his African hut, a missionary found a native boy holding up a large fish. The boy said, “Preacher, you taught us to give at least one tenth, so here—I’ve brought you my tenth.” As the missionary gratefully took the fish, he questioned the young lad. “Where are the other nine fish?” At this, the boy beamed and said, “Oh, they’re still back in the river. I’m going back to catch them now.” That's faith! (cf.-Malachi 3.10)

Another African boy listened carefully as the teacher explained why Americans give presents to each other on holidays. “The gift is an expression of our friendship for each other,” she said. When the next holiday came, the boy brought the teacher a sea shell of lustrous beauty. “Where did you ever find such a beautiful shell?” the teacher asked. The youth told her that there was only one spot where such extraordinary shells could be found—a certain bay, several miles away. “Why ... why, it's gorgeous,” said the teacher. “But you shouldn’t have gone all the way to get a gift for me.” His eyes brightening, the boy answered, “Long walk part of gift.” (Read 2 Samuel 24:24)

“Honour the Lord with thy substance, end with the first fruits of all thine increase. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty...” (Proverbs 3:9, 10)