Don't Give God the Core
Parable★★★★Once upon a time there was a man and a woman; they had nothing to call their own. Then God gave them ten apples. God gave them 3 apples for food. God gave them 3 apples to trade for shelter from the sun and rain. God gave them 3 apples to spend for clothing to wear. God gave them 1 apple so that they would have something to give back to God to show their gratitude for the other 9 apples.
The man and woman ate the 3 apples. They traded 3 apples for Supplies to build a shelter from the sun and rain. The man and woman spent 3 apples for clothing. They looked at the 10th apple; it seemed much bigger and juicer than the other 9 apples. So, they reasoned that since God all ready had all the apples in the world, God surely would not miss their 1 apple. The man and woman ate the 10th apple; they gave God the core!
God has given each of us 10 apples! We have enough apples to supply our every need. Plus, we have 1 apple to give back to God to show our gratitude and appreciation for God’s blessings!
We each have a choice! After we’ve used up the 9 apples for our selves, do we give God the largest and juiciest apple, which is rightfully His? Will we learn to give the 1 apple first, and learn that we can live very well on the other 9 apples? OR, do we continue to give God the core?
The point
God gives ten apples—nine for needs, one to return as gratitude—but humans often give only the core, teaching the importance of prioritizing giving to God.