Daily Devotional for February 18, 2021
Secret Mission
“Mom, can I have an advance on my allowance?” asked Vanessa one day.
“An advance?” repeated Mom. “What do you need it for?”
Vanessa took a deep breath. “I can’t tell you. It’s a secret.”
Mom frowned. “The last time you asked for money and didn’t want to tell me why, you had hit a softball through Mr. Grimes’ window.”
“I haven’t broken anything, Mom. Honest! Please trust me,” pleaded Vanessa. “It’s for a good reason, but I want to keep it between me and God.”
Mom looked at Vanessa thoughtfully. Then she asked how much Vanessa needed, got her purse, and gave Vanessa the money. “This is a large advance,” said Mom. “Remember—it comes out of your allowance.” Vanessa nodded and tried not to think about all the things she’d be giving up. Instead, she thought about her friend Adriana.
Their class was studying sea life, and the teacher had arranged for them to visit an aquarium in a nearby city. The school had no money to buy tickets for the students, and so the trip was not required. Those who wanted to go had to pay their own way. Permission slips and money had been coming in for several days, but not from Adriana. Her dad had been laid off, and there was no extra money at Adriana’s house.
The next morning, Vanessa arrived at school early. Her classroom was empty. Heart racing, she walked quickly to Adriana’s desk and slid an envelope containing the money into Adriana’s math book. Vanessa had written on the envelope, “Field trip. Don’t guess who. Just get your parents’ permission.” Adriana will find it soon, she thought. We always have math first thing in the morning.
The bell rang, and Vanessa went quickly to her desk and kept one eye on the door. Adriana soon came in with several other kids. She went to her desk and pulled out her math book. Finding Vanessa’s envelope, she opened it. Her eyes grew big. Her mouth fell open. Vanessa giggled and turned her attention back to the math problem at hand. Please, Jesus, she prayed, please don’t let her find out it was me. I want You to get all the credit. • Cynthia M. Grabill
How about you?
Have you ever done something nice for someone—without telling anybody? Jesus tells us to give in secret because it points people to Him—the Giver of salvation and eternal life—instead of ourselves. This week, ask Him to show you someone who needs your help, and then give it in a way that only you and God will ever know who it was.
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