Yesterday, Pastor Tim preached from Luke 12:33, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.” The past several Sundays, he has basically given an extended children’s message as the day’s only message. The younger kids sit down at the front of the church and he speaks to them. Of course, we adults  eavesdrop. I think Tim’s okay with that.

Tim emphasized the idea of selling possessions to give to the poor. Not just writing a check, or dipping into your piggy bank, but actually selling something you own. He gave the kids a project for the week: rummage through their toys, and pick out some toys they are willing to sell. Then bring them to church next Sunday. We’ll sell them, and give the money to the poor. We’ll do it through some micro-businesses opportunities in other countries. Depending on how much money we raise, we’ll be able to buy rabbits, pigs, or goats.

I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next Sunday, as kids bring toys to sell. It’s a great lesson for them…and for adults. How many of us have actually sold something we own, something we perhaps cherish, to raise money for other people?

Ten years ago, Pam and I bought an indoor basketball goal for the church’s youth center, which was just starting. We took it to the church to assemble. Mark and Tami Solak, heavily involved in the budding youth center, were there. Tami told us, “You don’t have to just give money. Why don’t you volunteer?”

It was a convicting point. And as a result, Pam and I gave up our Friday nights for several years so we could help staff the Friday night youth center. Buying the basketball goal was easy; it came out of our excess. Writing checks is easy, painless. But giving up one night a week, every week? Now that was costly. But we don’t regret it in the least.