If Only We All Had Such Generous Hearts...

There once was a little girl who on her 6th birthday received $7 birthday money. She unhesitatingly gave 1 of those dollars to the Lord (her tithe). Then she received a duplicate gift with a gift receipt, which her mama told her they would go together to return it and she could use the money to get something else.

So one lovely Saturday, the whole family of five, and one on the way, piled in the van to go buy paint (because this particular mama happened to be in the nesting phase of pregnancy). They brought the item to return to the superstore. Upon arriving, the birthday child hopped out of her van with her mama, her remaining $6 in hand, and the item to be returned. They entered the store, and received the worth of the item on a gift card for $19.00. Happily, the mama began to lead her daughter to the toy and game section so she could decide how to spend her birthday money, but the daughter hesitated.

Mama: "What's wrong, honey?"
6 Year old: "Um..well..I was thinking that I would give some of my money to my sister, I bet she would really like to pick something out for herself, too."

So the mama called the papa and asked him to come inside the store with the other kids. This 3 year old (almost 4) was particularly happy to discover, at the generosity of her big sister, she now had her own money with which to buy something. Mama and Papa gazed over at each other, proud of their little generous girl.

So the happy family proceeded to the toy and games section. Mama and 6 year old went off deciding how to spend the $19 gift card, while the 3 year old went with her dad to find a way to spend her $6 cash.

Mama followed the birthday girl around as the little shopper added more and more things to the pile, asking her mama to calculate the total cost to make sure it was under $19.00.

Once all the items were selected, the family met up with each other and proceeded to the check out. Each child, with their money in hand, made their purchases. The older of the two, the birthday girl, had a huge grin on her face.

They took their bags, and before the family could even get out the door, the older child called out, "Okay, everyone! Wait! Come over here to the side!" She reached into her bag, and one by one pulled out an item and handed it to each of her younger sisters. The biggest item, a plastic golf set with 3 clubs and 3 golf balls, she declared it was for all 3 sisters to share together.

She had kept nothing for herself.

Moved by her big sister's generosity, the 3 year old then declared that the item she purchased with her $6 was really for her sisters.

Mama and Papa looked at each other and about cried.

Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. (Matthew 18:3-5)


And they all went home and painted the new "Big Girl's Room" together.