Radio personality Paul Harvey once told the story of a little girl named Hattie May Wiatt. She lived near a small church in Philadelphia that she attended. One Sunday she tried to go to the children’s church, but she was turned away because it was too full. A few days later she told the pastor, “I’m going to help build a bigger church so more kids can come.” She began saving her money, but died unexpectedly not long after. Her mom found a small purse containing 57 cents with a note that read, “To help build a bigger church.” When the pastor told the congregation, it inspired generosity and people gave so much they built a larger kids area, larger sanctuary and Bible school that later became Temple University and Temple hospital.
We know the story in Luke 2 of how there was a census and each person and family had to go to their ancestral hometown. Since Joseph was a descendant of King David, he and Mary went to Bethlehem. When they arrived, everything was full. An unnamed innkeeper told them he was full too and there was no room for the couple. We don’t know what was said, but the innkeeper offered them lodging in the stable, which is where she gave birth to Jesus. It wasn’t much, or pretty or ideal, but it was what he had available for them. God took what he offered and turned it into a place that hosted the birth of our savior. We don’t talk about the innkeeper much, but because he offered what little he had, history remembers what he did.
2 Corinthians 8:12 says, “Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have” (NLT). Many of us wish we had more money, more talents or more time. Then we downplay what little we do, but God doesn’t ask us for what we don’t have. He asks for what we have available to Him. Little Hattie May gave 57 cents that God turned into a movement. The innkeeper gave a stable and God turned it into a sanctuary for His Son. What will you give God? Don’t downplay what little you have. God can take what you give and create big things with it. He’s not asking for what you wish you had, only what you have available. This Christmas, choose to give God something that you do have available. Take that step of faith. It’s enough for God.
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Devotions by Chris Hendrix 