Wilford’s Fast Offering

By Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong

Of the Seventy

We can bless the lives of others when we share what we have.

One day I saw my oldest son, Wilford, preparing a tithing envelope. He was probably around five years old at the time. Wilford didn’t earn any money, so I wondered why he was paying tithing. When I asked him, he told me he was actually paying a fast offering.

Wilford didn’t have much money of his own. But he was still excited to pay a fast offering.

I was impressed by this act of kindness. I asked him why he had decided to do this.

Wilford answered, “I don’t need anything. But I know others do.” He knew his money would help people. He was very happy about that.

This simple experience taught me a good lesson: children are really in tune with the Spirit and have a natural Christlike love. Wilford had something he didn’t need and knew it would be helpful to other people. He was willing to make the sacrifice.

Saving money is good. But my young son taught me another lesson through his example. By listening to the Spirit, we can bless the lives of others when we share what we have.