Ten Dollars - Scott McCausey

"Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:4

She knew the 10% rule but her heart was bigger than “the rule.” This time my eight-year-old taught me. As parents, we are commissioned to teach our kids the skill of saving money. We’ve tried everything from the envelope method and chore charts, to our current method of earning a salary. Our goal is to encourage giving God our first fruits, saving for the future and allocating fun money to spend on a prize. It’s our job to keep our eyes open during this process…to watch for the lessons to be learned. I thought it had worked well and it did. I just wasn’t expecting the teacher to be taught.

My youngest daughter, Rebekah, had saved a fair amount of her birthday and commission money. While most of our kids saved toward a video game, a plastic sword or a CD, Rebekah refrained from any shopping sprees. One Sunday morning, I found out why.

I took my spot on the front pew to serve the congregation. After a short meditation, I helped pass the offering plate. When I reached the chaotic pew my family occupied, I handed the plate to my oldest, who promptly shuffled it toward his mom. Rebekah gingerly took the plate from her mom, then without hesitation, casually tossed in a ten-dollar bill and shoved it to her sister. In an instant, my daughter had not given a portion, she gave everything and, although I wasn’t mad, I wanted to take her ten-spot out of the plate and give it back. My nearsighted view of giving was about to be reformed.

When the services were over, I pulled Rebekah close to me. “That was a very generous thing you did, slam dunking God your whole $10. You realize God doesn’t expect you to give every cent, right?” That’s when she floored me.

“I know about the ten percent rule. But my heart didn’t want to give ten percent. It wanted to give all of it. He needs it more than I do today.” She poked my arm and headed toward the car.


That day, the teacher became the student. I learned from my daughter’s example. I realized I’d spent so much time on the semantics of giving that I’d forgotten the heart of it. In my efforts to be a good parent and teach Godly methods, I myself had missed the point and it took an eight-year-old to drive that home. The gift of generosity comes from the heart. We shouldn’t give just because we have a big bank account or out of obligation, but because we want to serve Christ by giving him our best. I guarantee He stands ready to pour abundance over your obedience. Let Him take control of your finances and lead the way. Trust.

Scott McCausey lives smack dab in the middle of the Michigan mitten. He has been married to Renee for eighteen years where they home educate their five children. He has worked as a laboratory manager for over twenty years and enjoys his new role as host of the famous blog talk radio show Christian Devotions Speak UP! Read Scott's devotions.