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My Mother
Posted by
Bob Fetherlin
,
13 May 2009
·
741 views
Most who read this blog will never meet my Mother. She's 85 now, frail, with deteriorating eyesight. Recently she signed a power of attorney so that I could help her with her bill paying and banking.
As I got into her financial records, I noticed a mysterious, monthly withdrawal of a relatively substantial amount. Concerned, I asked her for an explanation. "Oh, that's what I give to the Lord each month. I have a missons pledge, a building fund pledge, plus I give to support the on-going ministry of the church." I was shocked . . . the amount in question was nearly 40% of her very limited monthly income.
I wanted to blurt out, "But Mom, that's too much. You're giving more than you can afford!"
Before I could get these words out, Mom reassured me, "Bob, God has always taken care of me."
Upon further reflection, I realized this kind of giving has been a part of Mom's heart and practice for years. She's obsessed with Jesus, and this is an expression of that holy obsession. Now it's up to me to not only be challenged by her example, but to follow in her footsteps.
Malachi 3:7-10 puts the challenge before us:
"Return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord Almighty.
But you ask, "How are we to return?"
"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me."
But you ask, "How do we rob you?"
"In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse-- the whole nation of you-- because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."
I'm grateful for this heritage of giving!
As I got into her financial records, I noticed a mysterious, monthly withdrawal of a relatively substantial amount. Concerned, I asked her for an explanation. "Oh, that's what I give to the Lord each month. I have a missons pledge, a building fund pledge, plus I give to support the on-going ministry of the church." I was shocked . . . the amount in question was nearly 40% of her very limited monthly income.
I wanted to blurt out, "But Mom, that's too much. You're giving more than you can afford!"
Before I could get these words out, Mom reassured me, "Bob, God has always taken care of me."
Upon further reflection, I realized this kind of giving has been a part of Mom's heart and practice for years. She's obsessed with Jesus, and this is an expression of that holy obsession. Now it's up to me to not only be challenged by her example, but to follow in her footsteps.
Malachi 3:7-10 puts the challenge before us:
"Return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord Almighty.
But you ask, "How are we to return?"
"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me."
But you ask, "How do we rob you?"
"In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse-- the whole nation of you-- because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."
I'm grateful for this heritage of giving!
