Sometimes I recall those trips to the laundry mat as a kid. The sounds of the coin-feed washers and dryers, the unmistakable sent of bleach combined with all the various scents of laundry soap and fabric softener. I remember the rolling baskets that would squeak and wobble as you pushed your clothes from the washer to the dryer or the dryer to the folding table.
But, what I remember most about those trip is the little white wooden shack that sat outside, over by the old IGA. It wasn't much more than a box; a door on one end and a window in the front. At the window stood an old blind man (I wish I knew his name). As I got close to the shack my brother and I would always be greeted, "Hi, young men, how are you this fine day?" After exchanging greetings and talking this man would reach out the window and hand us a pack of Peanut M&M's.
This man stood in this box day after day selling candy candy, but as I look back I remember that we would by candy from him when we went to the grocery store but he never charged us on those laundry trips.
Years later I saw this old blind man again in a little restraint. He sat at the counter and ate his two eggs and toast and drank his cup of coffee. He then pulled out his wallet and asked the waitress what denomination of bill he pulled out. She told him it was a $5 He handed it to her. As she went and got his change he turned to me holding another bill and asked, "young man what bill is this?"
"A $20, sir." I replied. He smiled. He turned around set it on the counter got up and left without his change.
This man knew what it was to give with a cheerful heart. It didn't mater if it was a pack of M&M's for a young boy or generous tip waitress, he always gave with a smile. Yet, I never knew his name.
In 2 Corinthians 9:7 it says, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
So often when it comes to giving our Tithes and Offerings we have this attitude of "This is what I have to do" or "Well here goes more of my money" or one of the 50 thousand other thoughts that pass through our minds other than "Thank You! Lord"
At Paul's time the temple had to containers to receive gifts from people. The first one was to receive each persons Tithe (the part of their income required by Jewish law) the second was a free-will offering. It is in regard to this free-will offering that the attitudes are being called into question. Not what you are expected to give but what you are giving over and beyond that. This is the giving Jesus is talking about when he points out the woman who gave everything she had. (Mark 12:41-44)
Lord my we be able to see like this. My our eyes be open to the spirit of giving with gladness in our hearts.
