I’m not quite sure why or when I started dumping my spare change in a small tin canister that once held a Christmas gift for my wife.
She says it followed a Lenten period in which our church asked us to collect change in a cardboard “rice bowl.” I’m sure she’s right, but I also know that it was definitely a time when I carried more cash.I would stop at a grocery store, pick up an item or two, pay with the bills in my pocket, and then when I got home, dump my change in that little tin can.
At first, I would split the change 50-50 between this tin bank, which we kept downstairs, and another bank that I had upstairs in our closet. I’d decided that what was upstairs was for the family while the downstairs canister would go to some worthy cause.
It may have taken months the first time to fill that tin canister, but I remember, when it was full, we had about $15 and not long after, a request from a woman raising funds to do ministry full time. It seemed a no-brainer to give it to her. I pray she’s still serving the Lord.
I remember at the time thinking it would be a great idea to keep a record, so I grabbed a piece of scratch paper, and dutifully wrote down how much we’d saved and who’d received it. Again, I’m not sure why I did it.
Now, probably 15 years later, we’re still throwing our change in a small bank, this time a little metal mailbox that someone gave me well back in my childhood days. And those first few cents have grown to total several hundred dollars, while the scratch pad is desperately in need of an additional sheet.
It’s been interesting to look back at the record we’ve kept, not really to see how much we’ve collected, but to see what we’ve decided to do with the money, because not long after I started, the rest of the family joined in to deal with their change.
We’ve since abandoned the 50-50 split, instead giving it all to some Christian charitable cause. And it’s the family as a whole who decides what to do with the money.
Just recently, we emptied the contents of the bank and in quarters alone we had nearly $70! This time, we decided to support a Christian film project in need of funds. With pennies, nickels and dimes yet to be counted, there’s no doubt a worthy cause will raise its pretty little head soon, making it clear, this is the end destination for our change.
While I’m sure the donations have been helpful, even if small, what’s been more important is the joy we’ve taken from such a small effort. Even the littlest ones at our house love to toss a penny or two inside when they come across a some money.
For us, it’s been a way to support others when we ourselves may feel we have very little to give. And I’m never surprised, but always amazed, at what accumulates without really any effort at all.
I love this. 🙂