Some people will do anything to save a buck. Like the miserly uncle I read about who invited his nephews to hunt for arrowheads in the field behind his house. Before the search could begin, however, he told the excited youngsters they had to move all the rocks out of the field and clear away the underbrush. By the time they were finished, it was too late to search for arrowheads. Later, they learned that none had ever been found on his property. When they complained to their dad, he said, "My old skinflint brother bamboozled you out of a day's work." Those boys will not soon forget how they were taken advantage of.

There's nothing wrong with being frugal. It's a matter of good stewardship. But there is something wrong with being so thrifty that you won't pay a boy what he's worth.

Stinginess at the cost of someone else's humiliation or hurt is not what our Lord wants. In 1 Timothy 6:18, we learn that we're to "do good" and be "ready to give, willing to share." We're to be fair, giving, and generous people.

God is the ultimate giver. He gave His Son, at unbelievable sacrifice, to offer us new life (John 3:16). Let's follow His example of love and generosity—then we won't be accused of being an "old skinflint."
  — David C. Egner