A Cheerful Giver

We have a youth boy at Refuge who has been meeting with us for the past 3 years now.  A few weeks ago, his mother told us that she wanted to start tithing to Vision Onward.   She said that Refuge is what her son considers to be his church and so this is who she wants her tithe money to go to.  Mind you, this is a single mother with very limited income.  She said she had been saving for awhile and then she handed Ken a huge wad of money (see picture above).  This single mother gave us $485.  WOW!  This was so incredibly humbling for all of us.  Ken even tried to decline it knowing that she has limited income, however she insisted and went on to say that she will be giving a monthly tithe from now on.  God had placed this in her heart and she was giving joyfully and generously with tears of thankfulness in her eyes for how much has been done for her son.

This type of giving has been something we have seen over and over again since we began our ministry working with poverty level families.  Those who have so very little are so very generous with what little they do have. 

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.   As it is written:
   "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
      his righteousness endures forever." 2 Corinthians 9:6-9

"I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.  O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you." 1 Chronicles 29: 17-19