A person was handed ten apples by a generous benefactor. He was delighted, for he had nothing before this generous gift arrived. In fact he was so moved by the generosity of the giver that he immediately said “Thank you; would you like one of the apples back for yourself? I shall still have nine left for myself.”

This simple story puts the notion of stewardship and of tithing into perspective. You and I, of our own power and ability have nothing. “All things come of you, O Lord”. Life itself, health and strength, skill and ability, and the money we earn through using our ability – all this comes from God’s boundless generosity. Maybe each one of us could try to offer God “an apple” from the bag full he has given us?