Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Proverbs 1:8 (06/01/23)
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TITLE: It's Why You Do It | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jack Taylor
06/07/23 -
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“Generosity,” he said.
Benny looked up first at his dad and then at me. He nodded and repeated, “generosity leads to joy.”
I remember the first time my own father took me aside as he taught me how to do my paper route and collect from my customers. Charcoal skies clung to the crests of purple mountains as the rain poured down, threatening to soak my papers. “I think we should take the car,” I said hopefully.
He ran his finger and thumb over his mustache, buttoned up his shirt, and grabbed his rain slicker. “This route is yours, not mine,” he said. “Grab your coat and hat, I’ll hold the umbrella and you carry the papers.”
I was like a drowned rat that collection day but the customers had been generous to me as they saw me shivering in the dampness. “Okay, let’s count,” dad said, after we’d made it safely home, changed and gathered at the dining room table.
My mother hovered over us, making it memorable with hot chocolate and two marshmallows floating on top. A freshly baked chocolate chip cookie rested nearby. “Okay, my special men, you are loved more than you can imagine. Keep your business special for the Lord.”
“Thank you, mother, for your kindness,” dad had said. “We’re going to learn an important lesson before we devour your love gift. Stretching yourself like this for us is more than we deserve.”
My mouth watered and I’m sure my stomach rumbled as I rubbed my hands together in a warming exercise. “How long is the lesson?” I asked.
“Depends on how well you learn it,” Dad said. “First, you need to sort out all your money into piles and then count it. You need to record every penny you’ve collected. When you’ve done that, I’ll show you step two.”
My numb fingers somehow managed to sort and record while my distracted brain, due to the smell of hot chocolate and cookies, managed to count.
“How much of this money belongs to the paper company?”
I unfolded the instruction paper I’d gotten in the mail. I pointed at the number.
“Count that out starting with the larger bills and set that aside in an envelope. Write down the amount on the collection sheet.”
I did as I was told.
“Now, count out how much is left and divide it into ten equal piles.”
It took a little longer to figure out exact piles but my little brain managed to recall enough of my numbers to do the job. The cookies were calling my name.
“Now, here is an envelope for the church,” he said. “Put the first pile in this envelope and put it in the offering this Sunday.” He waited while I set the coins aside. “Now, put the second pile in an envelope for the bank. We’re going to save that and let it grow.” I put the money in the bank envelope. “Now, the rest is yours to be generous with.”
“Generous?” I asked.
“Yes, you can buy something you’d like or you can give it to someone who might need it or you can treat a friend with it. It’s all God’s but he gives you this much to enjoy.”
I felt a surge of freedom and joy. “Jenny wants a puppy. Can I give her some to help buy her puppy?”
“You can do anything good and generous with that money from the work God gave you to do.”
I grew up with that mindset and passed it on to my son who passed it on to his son. You rarely stop to realize how much one little lesson can bless the world. I saw my son bless missionaries, people on the street, single mothers, refugees and charities of all kinds.
“Why do you give?” I asked him one day while he was still a teen.
“Because generosity leads to joy,” he said, smiling.
And now those same words had slipped out of his son’s mouth. A father’s instructions had been planted and reaped fruit. A mother’s teaching had reached the heart of a little one and lasted. It’s why you do it that matters.
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