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Key Bible Verse: God loves the person who gives cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). Bonus Reading: Deuteronomy 15:7–11

Tuesday afternoons one summer I stocked the shelves in our small-town grocery. The rest of the week I preached in the little church, taught teenagers, and visited the elderly and sick. The fall semester would soon begin at Lub- bock Christian College. Since my father was dead and my mother was living on disability, I was on my own financially. I absent-mindedly stamped prices on the baby-food jar tops: "click, click, click."

Just then a short, round, white-haired, kind-looking man in his 70s thrust an envelope into my hand. He said he knew I was working my way through school and wanted to help. As he walked away, he said something about helping more later. I was astonished! I hope my stammering conveyed something of my gratitude. In the envelope were four crisp $50 bills. Minimum wage was $1.25.

The man, Mr. Shipp, owned the local pharmacy. Rumor had it that he helped many students. His act convicted me that I should look for whatever gift of generosity the Lord had given me. Have I fully developed that gift over the years since? Not yet. Are there times when it's easier to keep that which is to be given away? Every day.

—Waymon Hinson in College Faith

My Response: What am I doing to develop the gift of generosity?

Thought to Apply: We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. —Duane Hulse

Adapted from College Faith (Andrews Univ. Press, 2002) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Lord, make me a manager to whom You can confidently entrust Your resources.

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