I have a friend whose sister teaches the third grade. The following was one of her students’ essays about money.

I am thankful for all the money we have, all the one, two, five, ten, twenty, fifty, and one hundred dollar bills. And also, all the cents and coins, all the pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, half dollars and 100 cent coins, and also all the kinds of money around the world, also all the checks and credit cards. Also all the people that invented money and coins. If the new $1,000 bill comes, I will be thankful for it, also for gold money, also rings that are worth money.

This child might have a healthier attitude toward money than a lot of us adults. If we could be honest, we would acknowledge that it takes money to finance God’s Kingdom. I used to be fond of giving a disclaimer when someone was fundraising for a project. I sometimes would respond by saying if I had $1000 dollars I would give it. It sounded really spiritual and made me feel good about myself, but the honest truth was that I didn’t have the money to give. Then I read Proverbs 25:14.

Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.

Oops…I realized I was defrauding others by “boasting of gifts not given”. I have since stopped saying these words and instead focused on trying to have funds available when needs come around so I can freely give.