Giving can take some doing

PHILIPPA SMALE takes a look at major and minor characters in the Bible's accounts of the days before and after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection

SCENES on the TV news of the earthquake in Haiti had moved them. At the Salvation Army centre for homeless people where Joe was staying, there had been many fundraising events - such as coffee mornings and auctions - for the relief effort. Joe was an enthusiastic helper and was glad when they raised more than $400.

But something niggled him. He had not given any money himself. He wasn't exactly flush, and surely no one would expect him to give up the few quid he did have.

The final fundraiser was a talent night. It cost $3 to enter. Joe's friends urged him to have a go. He could play the guitar and sing. But $3 was $3.

Joe battled with himself right up until the last minute. He then put his $3 in the box and took his turn.

Joe's decision seemed to echo an event thousands of years ago.

A few days before his crucifixion Jesus was in the Temple in Jerusalem with his disciples. While they were there a widow came to the Temple treasury to give her offering. She slipped in among the rich people who were contributing lots of money, and she put in her two small coins. She did not know that anyone was watching; she just knew that God wanted her to give all she had. But Jesus was watching, and praised to his disciples what she had done (see Mark 12:41-44).

Clearly the widow was not the last person in history to get a feeling that God wanted her to give what she had, even if it was not very much.

No one would have blamed Joe if he had decided to keep the money - he had a perfect right to it. And he had already put in a lot of hard work to help raise funds. But Joe knew he had to do something.

Many people get a similar feeling. Money is not necessarily the issue. They may feel that God wants them to give their valuable time to listen to someone who is upset, or their know-how to help a neighbour with an emergency repair to their home or car.

What God asks every one of us is that we put all our trust in him - and that can be difficult.

Joe didn't win the talent night - but he did come third. The prize was a voucher for a meal at McDonald's for him and a mate. He was happy.

- TSA UK War Cry