So yesterday I was driving home past all these obscenely nice houses, and wondering what I would do if God blessed me with ridiculous amounts of money. I was thinking I’d enjoy it some, and give lots away. Then I made it home and got the mail…

One of the first things I saw was a letter from a local food/relief agency. They wanted me to sponsor some thanksgiving dinners for local needy people. Only $1.84 for a complete thanksgiving meal for someone! I went to throw it in the trash, (thinking “I’m not made of money!”) but something stopped me. Last time I went grocery shopping I spent $80 on lots of stuff that I like. Not stuff that was necessarily staples for existence, but lots of fun, more expensive stuff, too. Come to think of it, Lisa and I just went out to eat, easily surpassing that princely sum of $1.84 by a factor of many.

God whispers to my heart then, “why should I entrust you with much, when you haven’t even been faithful with a little?” Ouch. So I get out the checkbook and sponsor a few meals. And you know what? It felt great. It felt like I was doing something God made me for: loving and serving those in need. In fact, it felt better than spending that money on myself. God has a big heart for the fatherless, the alien, and the widow–why shouldn’t I?

Now, God probably won’t dump a million dollars in my lap because I bought some turkey for a few homeless people, but He may just dump some other blessings on my sometimes worn-out heart. On second thought, He already has. If you’re not alread an active philanthropist, I encourage you to give something today to someone who needs it. Do it cheerfully, knowing God blessed you so you could in turn bless others. I dare you. You just might come away from it a happier person.