Welcome to another edition of the LKP Treasure Trove

Moments come for all of us where we feel like our efforts aren’t good enough, or we feel we probably have nothing to offer. But if we truly dig deep, we’ll find that what we do have to offer can be our very best, especially if we are giving as much as we are able. And I’m not only talking about money but also giving of your energy and time. The more you can give in that way, the more you’re truly giving of yourself to any cause, even if that’s simply helping a relative or friend, or a community organization. In today’s story, a little girl named Gail will learn this valuable lesson.

Your Very Best

Last week, Mom drove along Main Street and noticed the corner grill had been replaced by a teen pregnancy center. She had been longing for a volunteer opportunity in the community, where she could not only lend her services but possibly also be a light to those in darkness. What she didn’t anticipate was a few family members showing interest in getting involved as well.

“I’d like to help too,” her six-year-old daughter Gail said cheerily during dinner one evening after Mom had expressed her desire to pitch in and help at the new center.

“Yeah, it sounds interesting, mom,” said her eldest daughter, Sharon, a junior in high school. “I’m sure I could pop in after school and help out a couple of times a week at least.”

“That would be wonderful,” Mom said, clasping her hands in joy while a big, bright smile spread across her face. The one person who didn’t care to join in—but who would have no choice—was the middle child, Rob. His facial expression hadn’t changed since he sat down to eat. Deep down he knew what this meant: he would be dragged along and forced to spend time at the stuffy center around a bunch of females doing female things.

Mom’s smile faded when she glanced over at Rob and saw him picking at his food. “Let me guess,” she said to her son, “this doesn’t interest you, right?”

Rob mashed his lips and shook his head. “Can I at least bring my tablet so I can have something to do?”

“Well, you can always lend a helping hand, Rob,” Mom said. “I’m sure the center can use all the help it can get.”

“Right,” Sharon agreed. “We all have something to contribute.”

Rob smiled for the first time that evening and said, “How about I give them half of the 10 dollars I’ve been saving, then can I bring my tablet?”

Mom sighed and said reluctantly, “Sure, Rob. That’s … very generous of you.”

“Yeah, Rob,” Sharon added, “Way to go, bro. I plan on helping them set up their printer, since mom told me the older ladies who run the center haven’t printed in weeks and can’t figure out how it works.”

Mom was about to say something in reply to Sharon when she noticed Gail sitting with her arms folded tight and an angry look on her face. “What’s the matter, sweetie?”

“Everybody has something they can do for the center,” Gail said, “but I’m only six and I want to help, but I don’t have anything to offer, mom.”

“Of course you do, Gail,” Mom said. “You just learned how to fold clothes, didn’t you? That’s an important thing you could offer to the center. It would be giving your very best.”

Hearing this made Gail very happy.

NOW, WHAT ABOUT YOU?

After the Babylonian exiles returned to their land, each to his own town, the book of Ezra tells us that the heads of many of the Israelite families made freewill offerings to aid in rebuilding the cherished temple. In Ezra 2:69 we read, “According to their ability they gave to the treasury…. When it comes to any effort we put forth in this life and walk, whether we are talking about the currency we have earned or the talents and abilities we possess, we should all give according to the height of our ability to do so, and no less.