Can you give if you've got nothin'?

Our team drove up to the evening street crusade in Kampala.  As we piled out of the van, one of our team members saw a remaining bag of candy we had brought with us from the states.  She handed it to our interpreter for him to share with the children at the event. 

He immediately handed out all of the candy to a swarm of children, but I was appalled to see there wasn’t nearly enough for every child to have a piece.  I could hardly stand the look on the kids’ faces when he ran out.  These weren’t kids who would have another opportunity at candy. 

We went to our plastic chairs in front of the platform, and I sat quietly waiting for the crusade to begin.  Waiting for music and dancing.  Waiting for our preacher to stand and preach.  Waiting for one of my teammates to share why Jesus means so much to her.  

As I waited, I turned in my chair and saw a music and a preaching and a testimony performed behind me. 

A young girl held her piece of peppermint in her hand.  She had broken it into tiny pieces and was very slowly handing out little fragments to every child behind her who had not received any candy. 

Generosity. 

Jesus sat and watched rich people bringing their gifts to put in the temple treasury, but he called attention to a street crusade held by one woman. 

A music and a preaching and a testimony in one act. 

“I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.”  (Luke 21:3  NIV) 

Nothing to give but giving it anyway. 

“All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”  (Luke 21:4  NIV) 

What little bit of nothin’ do you have in your hand that you could share with someone today?