Just a Chicken

 

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. (2 Corinthians 8:1-7 ESV).

 

There have been many times in my life that God has taught me a very valuable lesson in receiving. I have never had any difficulty in giving. That simply was something that came “naturally”; however, there have often been times when I felt a bit if difficulty receiving a gift from others, especially when I knew it was a sacrifice for them to give.

 

One of those occasions took place decades ago when I was the pastor of University Heights Baptist Church in Huntsville, Texas. During the first few weeks of my ministry there I began to visit with all of the members who were physically unable to attend, but still we a vital part of our community of faithful. One dear lady lived well away from the church. Her country setting was beautiful, though modest. I remember well driving for the first time up the gravel drive to her house and being greeted by several dogs. They were all friendly, but she showed herself at the door and called out to them as she waved me inside. We had a wonderful visit. At the end of our visit she asked if my family liked to eat chicken. I thought it was a bit odd, but I answered in the affirmative. She said, “Wait here. I have a chicken for you and your family.” Thinking that was a bit odd, I tried to politely decline, though she insisted. After a bit, she came into the room with a burlap sack and a live chicken in it!

 

I thanked her and couldn’t wait to hear Mary’s response when I walked into the house with a live chicken in a sack! Kyle was four or five at the time and when He heard me come home he ran to meet me. He naturally asked what was in the sack and I answered simply, “A chicken.” Then when it clucked, he was desperate to keep it as a new pet. Mary merely smiled and said, “Now what are you going to do?” It would be really hard to tell my son that I was about to go outside and kill and butcher the chicken for supper. So, I found a way for him to keep the chicken! It turned out to be one of the most gracious, generous gifts that I could have received. She gave out of her meager resources something of great value. It was much more than just a chicken. We need to practice gracious giving as well as grateful receiving.