Tiny Clenched Fists

Yesterday Abby and I visited our hospice patients at the hospital.  After the visit I walked over to the bird aviary so Abby could watch the birds.  She is just fascinated with them.  Typically other patients are nearby and our stop at the aviary can lead to conversations with them.  Abby is an excellent conversation starter.

Jean, one of the patients, stopped and admired Abby and we struck up a conversation.  She noted that Abby had her fists closed tight as her little head swiveled around watching birds and the people around us.  Jean mentioned that the "old-timers" used to say these clenched fists meant she would be a smart one.  "Oh?"  I responded as I had never this saying.  "She'll always hold tight to her money so she'll be rich someday,"  Jean explained.

At home I recounted this old wives' tale to Jeff with some amusement.  He commented that he hoped Abby wouldn't hold on to her money, but would be always be giving it to others.  His comment reminded me of my propensity toward stinginess.  I love any ministry where I can serve others.  I'm willing to give of my time and skills to help those in need, but I find it difficult to be giving when it comes to money.   I'm all for tithing and giving an offering above this, but I find it difficult to be a spontaneous giver.  I'm very frugal with my money and like to have that extra padding in savings just in case something might go wrong.   I realize these things are not wrong, but sometimes I begin to trust in our paltry savings to get us through the difficult times instead of relying on God's provision.  When God prompts me to give I shouldn't even consider how this affects our savings account, I should simply obey (no, I don't give money away without my husband's knowledge).    I don't want to have clenched fists when God tells me to open my hands to those in need.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. Proverbs 3:27 

If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,  and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.  James 2:15-17

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