[Faith-talk] Faith At the Mall by Tari C. Popp

[Paul Smith]

Yes, you read that right.  The article you are about to read shows real 
faith in action.  Read to find out why.

She was ten years old, going on sixteen, and school was about to begin 
again.  As was our tradition, I had set aside a day when just Lauren 
and I would go shopping for school clothes.  We both looked forward to 
this appointment each year, but lately I had become concerned as I 
observed her increasing appetite for new things and the latest styles.

Deciding to be proactive, I helped her make a list of the clothes she 
needed for school, estimated what I felt each item would cost, and gave 
her the money to get the job done.  The money was hers.  With my 
guidance, she was going to spend it on things she needed.

As we headed to the mall I felt excited about the great learning 
experience Lauren would have.  I believed I had been fair in deciding 
her budget, but she would have to think her choices through carefully.  
There wasn't any extra for extravagances.  And then in the middle of 
this great parenting moment, I remembered that we had forgotten about 
tithe.  She hadn't returned tithe on these funds.

Oh, how I struggled for the next few miles! I didn't think Lauren could 
find everything for that smaller amount, and I was tempted to remain 
silent.  Lauren knew she had a limited budget, and I feared she would 
be upset if I reminded her of her responsibility.  Yet hadn't I wanted 
this to be an education, and hadn't God abundantly blessed Doug and me 
as we returned our tithe and offerings over the years? Why shouldn't I 
let Lauren experience the same?

I took a deep breath and explained to Lauren what we had both 
forgotten.  With the simple faith of a child, she quickly concurred and 
even suggested she add several dollars extra for offering.  Silently I 
asked God to bless her willing spirit and the money she had left.

As the day progressed, we were delighted to find pants on sale, shirts 
marked down, and accessories discounted.  We were finding and agreeing 
(a blessing in itself) on everything.  Yet one item remained on the 
list:  church shoes.  I knew there wasn't enough money left for the 
adult-sized pair she was now requiring.  We went from store to store 
with no success.

Finally we headed dejectedly into the last department store.  Knowing 
Lauren needed these shoes, I pondered the idea that maybe I should 
supplement her budget by the amount she had set aside for tithe and 
offerings.  Just then, however, she excitedly interrupted my thoughts 
and told me she had found some shoes that even I would like! Sure 
enough, compared to the styles we had seen that day, these looked 
wonderful.  But what thrilled us even more was the sticker attached to 
the bottom of the shoes.  We quickly calculated that the 50 percent 
discount shown there was exactly the amount of money Lauren had left.

I had wanted Lauren to learn to shop wisely, and she had.  By putting 
God first, she saw her remaining money used most efficiently and 
discovered the joy and blessing of becoming a financial partner with God.

And there you have what I hope was a timely article for today.  And 
yes, you'd better believe that the foregoing article will be read on 
both radio programs, that one on cjoyinternetradio.com and also on the 
Radio Reading Network of Maryland.  Hope it was a blessing for you today.

Until tomorrow when, Lord willing another timely article will be 
posted, may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just keep us safe, 
individually and collectively, in these last days in which we live.  
Your Christian friend and brother, Paul