The Parable Of The French Fry

Once upon a time, last week, I picked up my son after football and he was hungry. So he and I stop at Burger King to pick up a snack. Well I bought for my son two of his basic food groups, Chicken Nuggets and French Fries. After going through the drive through, tossing in the bag of food in front seat of the car, I then do what any good Dad would do, I reach over to the bag with the food to grab a couple of fries, just to taste. With my son's lightning quick reaction, he reaches over and slaps my hand and says, “Don’t touch my French Fries.”

I’m thinking that my son is being just a little bit selfish and stingy. I know who bought the French Fries and I’m really the true owner of the fries. I know also that my son belongs to me. I could get angry and never buy him any more French Fries to teach him a lesson, or I could “cover him in more French Fries than he could ever hope to eat.” Both options are well within my power to do. So I’m thinking, “Why is my child so selfish, I have given him a whole package of French Fries; I just want one French Fry…

Isn’t that the way we tend to be with all our things and with all our money and all our possessions? God owns it all, but we begrudging will give up only a French Fry or two, just so He will continue to bless us.

The American way is to say "I pulled myself up by my own bootstraps," and "I worked hard for all I have." Do we realize it is God who gives, it is God who gives the opportunity and ability to work. It is God who ultimately owns all that we have and all that we are.

From the sermon: "Why I Quit Tithing"