Trust In God
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle B
Jancy counted her money. No matter how she looked at it, there was no money for the glasses her daughter needed. And the brakes that were already grinding would have to be fixed next month. Her extra money from this paycheck had gone toward the new basketball uniform her son needed.
She tried to analyze their situation. They were all very healthy. She was grateful her garden was growing so well. They didn't need meat. But why was it so difficult?
She put her head in her hands. How would they make it? How long could she live on the edge, going from paycheck to paycheck with barely anything left over? Maybe she should get a third part-time job.
But that didn't seem right. She wanted to spend time with her two children. And her husband assured her they would be able to make it once the loan was paid off. She would have to trust him.
And she did. A few years later they were able to move into a small house, and they had a margin. A margin for emergencies, for small family vacations, and a margin to tithe more for offering.
Jancy trusted her husband and trusted God to help her. Times were not always easy, but she had held on. And they made it. She understood what it was like to have to use a calculator and put things back in the grocery store before she could check out. She knew what it was like to want a new dress for a special occasion only to wear an old dress. She knew the taste of economical dinners very well.
But Jancy had grown from her experience, and she taught her children about money. She taught them to tithe. Every week she would pass out their allowance and watch as they put one third in the "church" slot, one third in the "bank" slot, and the final third in the "for fun" slot. Early she taught them the value of saving and the responsibility of having money.
When Jancy and her husband retired, they began giving anonymous scholarships. At first they were little amounts, but as their children became successful and more independent, they felt freer to give more. And the scholarships became bigger and bigger.
Jancy came to see that God gave her money to be used wisely, for church and for service. She felt fortunate to have the resources to do that. She felt it a responsibility to share. But mostly, she felt great joy in giving back what was first given her.
She tried to analyze their situation. They were all very healthy. She was grateful her garden was growing so well. They didn't need meat. But why was it so difficult?
She put her head in her hands. How would they make it? How long could she live on the edge, going from paycheck to paycheck with barely anything left over? Maybe she should get a third part-time job.
But that didn't seem right. She wanted to spend time with her two children. And her husband assured her they would be able to make it once the loan was paid off. She would have to trust him.
And she did. A few years later they were able to move into a small house, and they had a margin. A margin for emergencies, for small family vacations, and a margin to tithe more for offering.
Jancy trusted her husband and trusted God to help her. Times were not always easy, but she had held on. And they made it. She understood what it was like to have to use a calculator and put things back in the grocery store before she could check out. She knew what it was like to want a new dress for a special occasion only to wear an old dress. She knew the taste of economical dinners very well.
But Jancy had grown from her experience, and she taught her children about money. She taught them to tithe. Every week she would pass out their allowance and watch as they put one third in the "church" slot, one third in the "bank" slot, and the final third in the "for fun" slot. Early she taught them the value of saving and the responsibility of having money.
When Jancy and her husband retired, they began giving anonymous scholarships. At first they were little amounts, but as their children became successful and more independent, they felt freer to give more. And the scholarships became bigger and bigger.
Jancy came to see that God gave her money to be used wisely, for church and for service. She felt fortunate to have the resources to do that. She felt it a responsibility to share. But mostly, she felt great joy in giving back what was first given her.
