April 11

Monday, April 11, 2022
John 12: 1-11

My 93-year-old mother who is frail and almost blind asked me to help write her tithing envelopes monthly.  This prompted me to ask why she was still tithing when she had no income.  Was she expecting to receive more blessings from God by giving...conditional giving!? 

Her reply was that she was giving in response to God's blessings; "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).  That was the best, unconditional blessing God had already given her.  She was not doing it to invoke more blessings from God. God has given her enough. Besides, she had made a pledge to tithe and she wanted to honor that.  She felt the joy and the peace of God.

I am inspired.  Her faithful giving was an act of love and gratitude to God who first loved us, a love that God had for us before the foundation of the world. He died for us on the cross, so that we can live.  How do we reciprocate to such unconditional love then?  My mother's tithing was a proof of faith and love.  She was blessed with joy and peace.

Reflection by Waiki Tang