The Dirty Offering

One day Jesus was strolling down a tiny street in Manhattan when he came upon an orphanage.  It was one of his favorite places to visit when he made his trips to Earth.  Seeing his children always put a smile in His heart.  Most people took Jesus as a homeless man, but the children always knew who He really was. 

Like always, the children ran to greet him at the door.  Jesus was showered with hugs and kisses from the boys and girls.  Jesus’ laughter filled the large room and traveled up the staircase where a young boy, about 13 years old, sat with his hands cupped on his chin and elbows on his knees.  He was crying and Jesus could feel the hurt in his heart. 

Jesus returned all the hugs and kisses and sent the children on to play.  He walked up the stairs to sit with the sad young man.  Jesus noticed the discerning look on the boy’s face and the sadness in his eyes.  The boy hung his head down and let out a sad sigh.  “Jesus” whispered the boy, “my hands and feet are dirty.  My hair is greasy and matted.  I don’t have on new clothes and my socks are filled with holes.  I wish there was some way I could please you, but I just don’t think it’s possible.  I am worthless.”  And a tear rolled down the boy’s cheek. 

Jesus, in all His compassion, sat down next to the boy and smiled.  “What a humble heart!  Of all the things this boy has to be concerned about, his main concern is pleasing ME”, He thought.  Jesus’ heart was filled with joy at the boy’s selfless thoughs. 

Jesus put one hand around the boy’s shoulder and said “Walk with me, son.”  So Jesus and the boy walked down stairs and slipped on their jackets and scarves.  Jesus took the boy down one of his favorite streets.  It was not filled with beautiful scenery or big parks with people walking their dogs or playing with their children.  This street was dark and neglected.  Homeless men and women sat on the streets begging for change.  Trash littered the sidewalks and the smell was horrible.  The boy clung to Jesus’ waist and Jesus kept his arm tight around the boy’s shoulder. 

As they walked, Jesus reached into his pocket of his overcoat and pulled out a dirty, wrinkled dollar bill.  “Do you see this dollar?”

“Yes” sniffled the boy as he wiped a tear from his cheek. 

“This dollar was given by an humble servant in a church offering.  It’s not new, in fact, it’s filthy.   In 1978 this dollar was a crisp, brand new bill.  But once it began its life of being passed from person to person it lost its cleanliness and purity. 

The boy listened intently to what Jesus had to say. 

“You see, Son, this dollar has the traces of drugs on it from when it was used in countless drug deals.  There are blood stains and other bodily fluids on it from more than one different occasion and many different people.  It's been stepped on, stuffed in wallet after wallet and pocket after pocket.  Hundreds of thousands of people have shared germs with this dollar.  It has carried viruses all around the world.  It's faded and has several rips around it's edges."  

“I don’t understand, Jesus.  What does that dollar have to do with me?” asked the boy.

“You see my child, although, this dollar has been used and abused, it was still placed in an offering plate as a gift to God.  Then it went on its way to a children’s orphanage, one I hold dear to my heart.  There, it helped pay for food and clothing for homeless children.  Because of that donation, one of those children from that orphanage will eventually have a life-changing experience and will spread my Gospel to many, many people.” 

The boy began to understand.  He stopped and sat down on a bench to let the information sink into his head.  “You mean, this dollar went on to do your work, regardless of how dirty it was?”

“Yes”, replied Jesus as He sat down next to the boy.   “But you see, my child, unlike this dollar, it's not your outward appearance that I see in you.  It is what is on your heart.”

“No matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, there is always a place for you to do God’s work.  In fact, some of the “dirtiest dollars” can turn out to help with the most marvelous of miracles.’ 

That day, at that very moment on the bench down a dirty street, was the day that the boy accepted Christ as his Savior.  That was the day he had become cleaner than he had ever been before. 

The boy hugged Jesus and thanked Him for loving him despite his past and despite his appearance.  At that moment the boy decided to spread the word of God throughout the orphanage and that’s exactly what he did everyday. 

Years have passed and the boy was never placed in a home.  He never had parents or siblings or grandparents to visit.  But what he did have was grander than anything here on Earth.  He had the Gift of God and the ability to continue to spread the word farther than the walls of the orphanage.  He shared the story of the dirty dollar to hundreds of people around the world and told of the free cleansing offered by Jesus.  Everyday since then, he’s always carried that dirty, old dollar in his pocket to remind him of the day that Jesus cleaned his heart.  And, although, Jesus didn't need the help of the dollar to cleanse the boy of his sins, it was a useful tool in helping the boy understand the true value of God's children.