Pledge

“As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’ ” She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. (1 Kings 17:12-16 NIV)

It's the time of the year when my church has its annual fundraising month again. Over the weeks I had been praying hard, asking God what He wants of me. But every time I did so, I couldn't help but to calculate how much allowance I am given by my scholarship and also my monthly expenditures, to see how much I can give to God. 

It was a vigorous negotiation between God and I. The amount that God placed in my heart was totally beyond what I can spare. I kept explaining to God that if He were to take that much away from me, I won't have sufficient left for myself to go on with the month. 

One day, I stumbled upon the scripture above. That definitely wasn't the first time I've read that passage because they taught us that in Sunday school. Guilt consumed my entire being. Growing up in a Christian family, I couldn't believe that I had so little faith in God. 

On the very day that we had to pledge, I was on my knees again, debating with God about how much I should give Him. But God just showed me a train of memories of moments of my life which, without Him, none of them would have happened. In a whisper, He asked, "Will you be willing to give me part of what belongs to Me?"

I couldn't hold back my tears. Come to think about it, God has never ever shortchanged me in any way at all. In fact, time and time again, I was blessed in ways I never should have been. So, should we give Him just what we can spare?

God is so rich, He doesn't even need us to give Him anything. What He looks at is the willing heart of men. He doesn't really care how much we give Him, but He wants us to believe that He can do wonders even with the little that we give. More importantly, He wants us to have faith in Him that He can multiply what we we have left. I was so encouraged by His reassurance that no matter what the circumstances are, He never fails to provide.

I had so much peace in my heart after pledging. But this is just the beginning of the walk of faith. There is still a long way to go. 

I believe, greater things are yet to come.