“Ooh dah dipanggil” (trans. Auntie has been called home) was the SMS message that my sister sent yesterday. She was referring to my dad’s sister who just lost her battle with cancer that she’d been fighting for more than a year.
Although she and I were never been close, and theologically we’re on the opposite ends of the spectrum, I will always remember her as the one who first taught me about tithing.
It was my 7th (or 8th, I don’t remember exactly) birthday, and I received birthday monies from her and some other relatives. Before leaving our house, she told me to remember to set aside a tenth of what I received and put it in the offering bag at church. She then taught me a simple concept of giving back ten percent to God.
It is not coincident that in my morning devotion today, Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr. talked about tithing. Listening to him reminded me of my aunt. Click here to hear the podcast on “Open Windows of Heaven” from Ligonier ministry.
Although she has gone to a better place where she will forever enjoy the presence of her Lord and Savior, and no longer suffer from her cancer I will forever be grateful to her for teaching me about tithing. It was also through her that I acquainted myself with some of Charismatic belief systems and practices such as speaking in tongue, healing, etc.
Farewell, dearest auntie
’till we meet at Jesus’ feet.
(The picture above was the last time I met her in 2007 when I went to Indonesia. It never occurred to me that it would be the last time I see her. Life is short and we don’t know what is going to happen in the next second. Cherish every moment you have with your loved ones.)