Never Underestimate the Power of Twenty-Five Cents
To a Church Elder,
For you, it was a quarter, but to an eight-year-old child from the trailer park, you gave me an opportunity. One, I couldn't have otherwise afforded.
The offering plate passed me each week. Others dropped in change or a few dollars while I watched with empty pockets wishing I had something...anything to offer. I didn't. Until, one day, you slipped that first quarter into my small hand.
That morning, I remember counting stained-glass window panes from my usual groove in the second pew. Then, before the music started you brought me over a small coin and I knew in the instant I saw it what I'd do with it. Judging by your smile, you must have known as well.
Over the years you brought me multiple quarters, but it wasn't a quarter that made the biggest impact on my life. It was the opportunity it afforded me when I finally had something I could put in the offering plate.
It started with me giving those quarters, but a desire to do more began to cultivate itself. I gave more and more time to reading my Bible and studying the word. I fell in love with it. Around age twelve, I became a Jr. Bus captain to help other "bus kids" get to church, but I believed God had even bigger plans for my life.
Years have come and gone, but the desire to give remained. I've come a long ways from where I had been in that rickety old wooden pew on the second row. Now, in a new church, in a new state, at age thirty-five, somehow I've become a Children's Pastor. I still get the opportunity to ride along with my wife as a Jr. bus captain, a big kid doing all I can to get other "bus kids" to church. Each day, not just on Sunday, I'm given an opportunity to reach and teach future generations. They will become the church's next leaders, teachers, preachers, and Pastors, or whatever God has planned for them.
These opportunities to give started, with a quarter. I'll never underestimate what can be done with a seemingly small gesture of kindness.
Now let me ask you, what small impact can you do to reach the next generation? Can you show a child how to worship? What about prayer? Don't stop at praying for them, I'm asking you to ask yourself, can you pray with them?
Maybe all you can do to bridge the generational gap is offer a small coin. Do it. God has a way of multiplying our offering in ways we may never know or expect, but it can't happen if we don't first give. Small sparks can start wildfires and you might have that spark in your pocket right now.
Luk 6:38 KJV
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.