Some weeks a guy just needs that golden egg.
My grandson, one of the three Musketeers, had that kind of a week and on Easter he found that shiny metallic object while on an egg hunt with his cousins and siblings. It gleamed with all it’s glitter glory in the sunlight, a specimen to behold.
He proudly popped open the egg and showed me the contents, three neatly folded one dollar bills. His eyes shined with pride as he knew he’d be able to talk his mother into a trip to the Dollar General store.
I eyed one of the dollars. “Say, since you have three of them, would you like to give me one.” I expected him to snap the top back on and flee my presence for fear of having to give up his coveted money.
Instead, the boy with the twinkly eyes paused a moment. I could see the deliberation on his face.
“Sure,” he answered.
“Sure?”
“Sure.”
I smiled at him. He passed the generosity test, not even hesitating to share his treasure.
“Grandma’s teasing you. I want you to have all of your prize.”
He looked at me, relieved. I knew he was torn… he loves his grandma but when one is a preschooler, those greenbacks rarely show up in one’s daily life.
God sometimes test us to see how tightly we grip hold onto our possessions; Hebrews 13:16 says “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
Even young children can learn early how to give to others. And in this culture where children collect too many gifts and treats, it becomes increasingly harder to teach generosity. But what a blessing for those parents who teach their families to hold their possessions with a light grip.
Some weeks we need that golden egg.
And some weeks we need to lay it down.
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