“Annie! Maxi! We are leaving now; Grandpa has arrived,” Mother called out from the bottom of the stairs.
“Coming!” Annie was wearing her favourite dress and shoes, and Max was dressed very elegant. It was Sabbath morning and they were heading to church. Annie and Max loved going to church, it was refreshing to see others of the same faith, and to be able to delight in worship together. Today, a Pastor from another country, along with his family, would be visiting. They were missionaries in India. Annie and Max were excited to meet the children.
During the sermon, the Pastor spoke about the wonderful work being fulfilled in the Asian countries. However, he mentioned the poverty seen in these countries, and how there were many families in the faith who were in need. This touched Annie’s heart, her eyes filled with tears as she imagined children without proper clothing and shoes. After the service, Annie tugged on her mother’s dress.
“Mother, may I speak to you please?”
“Yes dear, what is it?”
“I would like to give a special offering to the Pastor and his family. I have some money that I have saved in the piggy bank you bought me last month. Can we go get it?”
Mother looked at Annie pleased, and with a warm smile and kiss, she decided she would take Annie to the house quickly so she could fulfill her desire. Mother parked the car in front of the house, and Annie jumped out and ran into the house excited. However, after ten minutes, Annie hadn’t still come out. Mother decided to go in to see what was happening. She found Annie’s room slightly opened.
“Annie? Sweetie, is everything okay?” she asked as she opened the door completely to find Annie sobbing with the piggy bank opened beside her on the bed.
“What’s wrong darling?” mother knelt in front of her daughter, wiping her tears.
“I only have five dollars, mother, I thought I had more, but this is all I have!” Annie let out a loud cry.
“Oh darling! here, let’s wipe these tears away and let me tell you a story that Jesus once spoke about. After getting Annie’s face washed up, they went to the living room where Mother took the beautiful white and gold family Bible they had on the bookshelf. Let me read to you the story of the poor widow’s offering, in Mark 12:41–44, listen to this. “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
“Annie, you are giving all you have for the cause of the Lord. This is more than what many give because sometimes we give only some of what we have, but you are giving all your savings. I know you were saving to buy the violin so you can play in the church band. Jesus appreciates this act of kindness and love. Do not feel saddened of the amount, as you just heard; you are giving more than you can imagine.”
Annie smiled and felt grateful to Jesus for having spoken those words. She felt like He had spoken them just for her. Happily, they returned to church, and Annie gave her offering with a joyful heart to the Pastor.