The ring I didn't want to buy.

The Bible says we are not to give “grudgingly or of necessity”  but we are to give cheerfully, for “God loveth a cheerful giver.”  (II Corinthians 9:6)

         A man at church once said, “Pastor, the Bible says I’m to give cheerfully.”
        “That’s right,” the pastor said.
        “Now Pastor, I don’t know if you know it or not, but I don’t give cheerfully.”
        The pastor said, “You don’t?”
       “No, I don’t. So, therefore I’m not obeying the Bible when I give my money, am I?” he asked.
       “Well, that’s right, you’re not,” the pastor answered.
       Then he said, “So, therefore I don’t have to give my money anymore!”
       "No, that’s not what it means. It means you have to ask God to forgive you for your attitude, and then give. It’s both—give and give cheerfully."
True story about Scrooge (me) buying his wife a ring!   
         Nancy and I were visiting a friend’s house, and his wife was showing my wife the new ring her husband had bought her. My wife said to me, “Isn’t it pretty?” 
I was stingy with “my” money and wasn’t interested. I replied, “Yeah, it’s okay,” and I thought that would be the last of it. A few days later we were in a mall, and I couldn't find my wife. I looked around and saw her in one of those corner jewelry shops (the corner shops in malls cost the most to rent, and those who sell jewelry are usually there). Now, I don’t need to tell you it got my attention to see her in that store. I walked right up to her and said, “What’s the matter?”  “Nothing,” she replied, “I was just looking at this ring. Isn’t it pretty?” I was supposed to say, “Oh yeah, that’s beautiful,” but of course I didn’t.

        She was looking through the glass at this little ruby ring, and I was looking through the glass at the little piece of paper next to the ring (price tag). It’s disgusting how much they want for those little stones! For the same amount of money, I could have bought four new tires for my car. Have you ever thought about the fact that rings don’t do anything? I understand a wedding ring—at least it serves the purpose of telling others you’re married—but every other ring just sits there on your wif's’s finger, doing nothing.