NO
PAY PLATE

Topics: Children; Giving; Greed; Human Condition; Offerings; Self-centeredness; Sinful Nature; Stinginess; Tithing

References: Matthew 6:19–24; Luke 12:13–21; Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:1–6

A little boy wanted to help himself when the wine and wafers of Communion were passed out. His mother leaned over and told him that he was not old enough to take Communion.

Later, when the collection plate came by, his mother again leaned over and tried to coax a nickel out of the boy’s clenched fist. He held on and shouted, “If I can’t eat, I won’t pay.”

—J. R. Love, Rushton, Louisiana