Three years ago around this time of the year, we visited a family friend who were in need. Coming back from their place, Chris told me, "I think we should write a check for them... this much". Deep in my heart, I agree that's what we're called to do. However, I was hesitate. As the finance person in the family, who write the checks, make sure we live below our means, give as we are supposed to and so on, money was little tight at that time. We were just switched to 15 years mortgage from 30 years one. Besides, it's the end of the year and we already gave our portion.
I told Chris, I would send the money after we come back from our trip but God knows what's going on in my heart. You know what happen next? I lost our check book during the trip.
I couldn't just close the account because there were two checks for that I was still waiting to be cleared. The only thing I could do was pray. I asked God for His forgiveness. What were I thinking? After all, all we have are His and we are only managers of whatever He entrusted to us.I called the hotel where we stayed just in case I dropped the check book there. They checked and said, "No." I kept checking our account to make sure there was no suspicious activity. Three days later, the hotel called back to let me know that they found the check book under the bed and they would send it back to me right away. I cried, humbled, and grateful. Isn't our God amazing?
I wrote and send the check to our friends as soon as I got the check book back. I learned my lesson:
"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act." Proverbs 3:27
I thought God's lesson would stop there but it wasn't. After being told that there would be no bonus that year, Chris ended up getting a bonus a few weeks after that. O ye, of little faith. Isn't He already says in His words:
"There I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. ...Your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:25-33
" I am God, your God... I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, For every animal of the forest is mine,and the cattle on a thousand hills
I know every bird in the mountains and the insects in the fields are mine
If I were hungry I would not tell you for the world is mine, and all that is in it...
Sacrifice thank offerings to God fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:7-15
Charles Stanley wrote a great piece on how we can never outgive God. Over the years, I learned this to be true again and again.
My dream and prayer is that one day we can be as generous as Francis and Lisa Chan:
"It's not having much that makes you rich; it's the giving much that makes you rich." Ann Voskamp @ A Letter to the American Church
