We went to eat at a local restaurant. When the waitress arrived to get our drink orders Ava placed her nickel on the table and told the waitress “This is for you.” The waitress seemed a bit stunned and said “Thank you” but left the nickel laying there. When we left it was still there.

It was later that night when the life lesson hit me. Why was Ava so willing to give her nickel before she ate? Because she did not depend on her nickel to provide her lunch for her. She depended on her father to do so. The past had proven that he always had.

Deuteronomy 15:7–11 (ESV): 7 “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, 8 but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. 9 Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, ‘The seventh year, the year of release is near,’ and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the LORD against you, and you be guilty of sin. 10 You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. 11 For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’

Have you ever said, “One day, I will give.” or “When I have more money I will be generous.” These statements are proof that we believe our dependence is upon ourselves and not our Father who is in heaven. Thinking one day you will be more wealthy in order to give will never come. Where is the limit on wealth? Who do we believe provides for our needs each day? 

Remember as your Father in heaven has generously set His affection upon you, we should do the same for others. Be generous as your Father in heaven is generous with you. Live in a way that proves to yourself and others that your dependence is on your Father in heaven and not on yourself. In doing so, I think you will show honor to God and honor to those who are in need.

Pastor Aaron