When I turned six years old, my parents threw me a birthday party. They invited a few neighborhood children who came to help me celebrate! There was cake and ice cream, fun and games, balloons, and party favors . . . and I mustn’t forget the presents. There were lots of presents! There were small packages, large packages, packages that rattled when I shook them, and presents that were so lavishly wrapped that I just knew they contained something extra special. Would I get a fun game? A cool toy? A new doll? After all the party festivities, it was time to open the presents. I was filled with excitement and couldn’t wait to open my gifts.
I started opening them one by one. After all of the presents were opened, a little boy, who I didn’t even know, came up to me. He handed me a crumpled white envelope. With his head held down from embarrassment that he didn’t have a special gift like the other children, he said “I’m sorry. This is all I have.” I opened up the envelope, and it was filled with coins (mostly pennies). There was probably about seventy-five cents total in the envelope, but to this day, that is one of the best, most memorable gifts I have ever been given. I gladly accepted his gift, gave him a big smile and said “thank you.” He grinned ear to ear once he realized I liked what he had so humbly and generously given to me. I don’t remember any of the other gifts I opened, but I’ve never forgotten the “envelope of change” I received that day. It taught me a valuable life lesson about the beauty of giving.
One of my favorite Bible stories is about the Widow’s Mite. You can read about it in the gospels. (Mark 12: 41-44 and Luke 21:1-4). Jesus said that the widow had given more than even the richest of men because the two mites she gave was all she had to her name. Her trust was in God to supply her needs. Oftentimes, we just don’t realize just how much someone else is sacrificing. So the next time you receive a gift from someone, be very appreciative. Maybe the person gave you all he had with his whole heart.
2 Corinthians 9:7 tells us: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” I encourage you to be generous in your giving. Give not only of your money, but also give of your time and talents. And . . . remember always be a “cheerful” giver and be grateful for all the gifts you receive. You, too, may receive an “envelope of change.”
