The Girl Who Gave Everything

“God loves a cheerful giver.” — from 2 Corinthians 9

One of the loveliest gifts the orphans ever received came from a poor young woman who sewed clothes for a living. She earned only a few pennies a week, and she never once complained.

Then one day she was given some money of her own — quite a lot of it. Now, what would you do with a surprise like that? Buy pretty new clothes? Keep it all safe for yourself?

Here is what she did. First she paid off some old debts. Then she gave a share to her mother. And then she brought a large gift — one hundred pounds! — to George, for the orphans.

George was so surprised that he asked her again and again, to make sure she really wanted to give so much. And she answered with words worth remembering: “The Lord Jesus gave his last drop of blood for me. Should I not give him this?”

And do you know — she kept it all a secret. She went on wearing her same plain old clothes, and she went right back to sewing, working hard as ever, even while she was quietly giving so much away.

She loved Jesus, so giving made her happy, not sad. You don’t have to be rich to be a giver. You just have to have a heart that loves. What could you give — quietly, cheerfully — to someone who needs it?

Dear God, thank you for giving me Jesus. Make me a happy, secret giver, like that kind woman. Amen.