My youngest son, Ryan, was sitting next to me as we listened to a couple of students tell the desperate story of a little girl. They came in contact with her on a short-term mission trip and learned of her need for critical medical attention beyond what was available in her village. The students devised a plan so she could receive the help she needed, but it was beyond their means to provide.

As he listened to their plea, Ryan's hand found its way into his pocket where there was a little bundle of bills he had been saving for something special. He pulled out his cache, which initiated a plan of intervention on my part. I caught myself about to whisper to him that God didn't need his money, reasoning that God had the world's resources at His disposal. Then I realized the foolishness of my "good" intentions and the incredible blessing I was about to steal away from my son.

God didn't need Ryan's money, but Ryan needed to give. He needed some tangible way to honor God with the first and best of all he had. His heart needed to be moved by the needs of others. He needed to realize how blessed he was. Ryan needed to give as a way to deepen his partnership with God—and so do you and I.

Gary Burns is the Lake Union Herald editor.