It used to be popular for traveling missionaries to go through areas of the African jungles and establish congregations of Christian worshipers. When first converted many of these congregations were very strict and serious about making sure that they followed the way of the New Testament.
It was the practice at these meetings to carry a large basket during the offering and pass in front of each individual for them to place whatever offering they had brought to the Lord. Everyone was expected to give a gift to God for his work to be done.
At one particular meeting the basket was being carried down the aisle with people placing what they could in its coffer. Finally the two men came to a young teenage boy who had nothing to put in the basket. All he had was the clothes he wore. The men stood in front of the lad waiting, but to no avail. In order to make an example of him the two men sat the basket down and stood silently staring at the embarrassed young man.
The scene lasted for several minutes with the entire congregation focused on the young man as he stood, head bowed with tears rolling down his cheeks. As the two men decided it was useless , but their point being made, they started to pick up the basket. Suddenly, the young teenager raised his head, smiled and stepped into the basket. Proudly he proclaimed, "All I have to give is me, so me I give to God."
Amazingly that's what God really wants as a gift from us, the gift of ourselves. We can give of all the riches we have, but none of it means anything to God unless it is from within our hearts. Our primary gift to God should be our very lives. If we do this not only will God receive what he wants from us, but a heart given to God also turns over not only token gifts of our riches, but all of what we possess.
Jesus told the rich young ruler that if he wanted to do God's will, he must go sell everything he had and follow Him. In other words, Jesus must mean more to us than any worldly possession we have.
Now, when was the last time you stepped into the basket?
It was the practice at these meetings to carry a large basket during the offering and pass in front of each individual for them to place whatever offering they had brought to the Lord. Everyone was expected to give a gift to God for his work to be done.
At one particular meeting the basket was being carried down the aisle with people placing what they could in its coffer. Finally the two men came to a young teenage boy who had nothing to put in the basket. All he had was the clothes he wore. The men stood in front of the lad waiting, but to no avail. In order to make an example of him the two men sat the basket down and stood silently staring at the embarrassed young man.
The scene lasted for several minutes with the entire congregation focused on the young man as he stood, head bowed with tears rolling down his cheeks. As the two men decided it was useless , but their point being made, they started to pick up the basket. Suddenly, the young teenager raised his head, smiled and stepped into the basket. Proudly he proclaimed, "All I have to give is me, so me I give to God."
Amazingly that's what God really wants as a gift from us, the gift of ourselves. We can give of all the riches we have, but none of it means anything to God unless it is from within our hearts. Our primary gift to God should be our very lives. If we do this not only will God receive what he wants from us, but a heart given to God also turns over not only token gifts of our riches, but all of what we possess.
Jesus told the rich young ruler that if he wanted to do God's will, he must go sell everything he had and follow Him. In other words, Jesus must mean more to us than any worldly possession we have.
Now, when was the last time you stepped into the basket?
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