I Only Have Two Pigs

     This past Sunday the speaker ended his message with the following illustration. A missionary was speaking with a new convert, Pablo, and asked him, "Pablo, if you had one hundred sheep, would you give fifty of them to the Lord's work?"  "Of course!" Pablo replied, "You know I would!"  Then the missionary asked him, "If you had fifty cows, would you give twenty-five of them to the Lord's work?"  Again Pablo replied enthusiastically, "Of course I would!"  Then the missionary asked, "Pablo, if you had two pigs, would you give one of them to the Lord's work?"  "That's not fair," Pablo protested. "You know I only have two pigs!"

     Well, being a seminary wife, I often feel like Pablo. I think, "Lord, I'll give generously to Your work once..." There are too many ways to fill in that blank. "Once I have a full-time job." "Once we've gotten a handle on our student loans." "Once we graduate." The only trouble is that each stage of life has its own "Once." Once we have kids, once the kids are in school, once the kids are in college.

     However, God doesn't call us to be wealthy givers. He calls us to be cheerful givers (II Corinthians 9:7). In fact, we are called to give what each one "has decided in [her] heart" to give without feeling forced. If I sat here and guilt-tripped you into giving even a penny away, I would be in the wrong. So my goal is not to guilt-trip you but to encourage an attitude of generosity.

     It is easy to give generously from imaginary amounts. Just think of the number of people you could help if you won the lottery! That is not, however, what God asks of us when He calls us to give. We are called to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). This means our life now, in this stage, is to be lived sacrificially to the glory of God. God isn't asking us to be generous when He has blessed us with great material blessings. He is asking us to be generous as an outpouring of the rich blessings He has already given to us. God has given us blessings that He wants to share with others. We are called to be generous so that we can be a part of how God is providing for someone else.

     But I understand the thought that comes next. "That's great, but money is hard to come by in seminary." True! But to that I want to say just two things. First, generosity is about more than just money. We have many blessings to share. Through hospitality, we give of our home and our time. Through letters, cards, calls, and texts we can give the gift of encouragement. Seek out your areas of blessing and offer them to those around you. Second, generosity has no minimum amount. A dollar given faithfully once a year is worth more than a thousand dollars with are promised, but never arrive. That dollar says, "I know you have needs, and I care about you." Generosity starts today. This minute. This moment. Remember the greatness of God's gift to you. Turn and share that gifts with a friend. It is the cheerful gift God is looking for, not the flashy expensive one.

By Sarah Price

Crowns Editor