This week's story is from Rev. Ronald Nelson, director of annual world mission support, with Ministries Support in the LCMS Foundation. Ron tells a story about a woman who gave--not just her best--but quite literally her all.
A lady arrived late for worship one Sunday. The ushers took her all the way up to the front where, as usual, there were a number of empty seats. She sat down right next to the center aisle.
During the service, she was very moved by the pastor's sermon on Romans 12:1: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship."
After the sermon the offering plates were passed. She was very poor and had little to give, but she wanted to respond to God with a satisfactory offering. As the plate was handed to her--in full view of the congregation--she took the plate, placed it in the aisle and stepped into it.
Her action turned out to be the best sermon ever preached in that congregation on the offering. I wonder if the pastor ever had someone take his sermon that literally again!