Today’s Sunday school lesson was on the widow’s mite. For those of you not familiar with the story, Jesus and his disciples were in the temple where rich people were making large cash offerings. A poor widow showed up and added her small bit of change to the offering – all she had. Christ was happy because he knew she had faith that God would take care of her needs, and because she gave her pittance with a truly thankful heart.
Our lesson began with me telling the kids I had received a cash gift from a friend, despite the fact that today was not my birthday, nor had I done anything to deserve such a gift. I asked them what they thought I should do with it. Some said I should buy toys. Others suggested were that I should use it to get myself some new clothes, or go out to eat. I said I thought I would use it to buy something nice for my friend.
During the reading of our Bible story, we used a real, brass collection plate and I had the kids put the “money from my friend” in it. They were cheerful givers, indeed. I gave them each ten pennies and had taught them a rather cruel lesson in budgeting, placing cups near pictures of things they would need to pay money for – housing, food, clothing, toys, and the church. Next to each picture was a penny amount, the total of all adding up to 11. It was interesting to see what they would take away for in order to have 2 pennies to offer at the church. Most chose food and clothing. Not one took any money away from their toy budget.
I think it was a fun lesson, and when I started to clean up from our day’s activities, I noticed the following in the collection plate. I guess no one uses cash these days.