A Child's Generosity

A mother told me that after her eight year old daughter visited a church friend’s house and realized the family had little or no furniture she wanted to help.

            “How much do you want to give them?” her father asked after she said she wanted to withdraw money from her bank account to give them.

            “One zero zero,” said the eight year old.

            “That’s fine,” said her dad. “A dollar’s fine. That’s being generous.”

            “No,” said the eight-year old. “A hundred dollars."

For a few weeks the parents put her off, thinking she would forget about it. But instead she kept insisting on withdrawing money from her savings – money she had earned doing chores and selling cookies. When she presented a card with the hundred dollars inside, the woman broke down.

            “And,” said the eight year old, “I want you to spend the money on something for yourself. I don’t want you to give it away.”

The following Sunday the pastor’s sermon was about the little girl’s persistence and generosity.

I’m proud of that eight year old – she’s my granddaughter Lauren.