Coins in a Handkerchief

When I was very small, my mom would send me to Sunday School with a few coins knotted in a handkerchief for my offering. I couldn't unknot it (perhaps that was by design), so I had to drop the whole little bundle in the plate when it was passed. I assume my teacher would return the handkerchief to my mother, else she would have gone through a lot of handkerchiefs!

I was remembering that as I reflected that God has given me everything--all that I could possible offer to Him--so that I can choose to give it back to Him. The coins in the hanky were not mine; I hadn't earned them. They weren't discretionary, but had a designated use. I tend to think of my life as an allowance--my time, my money, my talents and gifts--and I can spend them as I wish. But just as if I had kept my handkerchief offering in my pocket, it would have been stealing. Furthermore, since I couldn't unwrap it, it would have been useless to me and would have deprived those to whom it would have been useful.

The Bible says we "rob God" when we withhold our tithes and offerings. But truly, all that we have, all that we do, all that we are--it all was His from the start. So am I robbing God when I choose convenience over hospitality? When I waste night after night on mindless entertainment instead of investing time in my marriage and family? When I use my gifts and abilities to earn a good living but not to benefit the body of Christ?

My whole life is really just a few coins in a hanky. May I be willing to hand them over when the opportunity comes.