How Will We Be Remembered By Others?

2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Carl Sylvius Volkner was a German missionary in New Zealand. His ministry began in August, 1861, and he worked with the Whakatohea natives. Under his leadership, a church and a school were built for the local people.

Unfortunately, he was not welcomed by everyone with open arms. The followers of a new religion named Pai Marire absolutely hated him, and in January, 1865, while in Auckland, he was warned to never come back to Opotiki.

Volkner loved these people, however, and he could not just vanish from sight to please those who hated him. Two months later he was back with his beloved people, but his enemies were waiting for him. He was arrested for treason, he was hung from a willow tree near his church, and then he was beheaded. His murderers then drank his blood and smeared it on their faces, and as a last affront, the leader, Kereopa Te Rau swallowed Volkner’s eyes, earning for himself the name of “eye eater”.

Though Kereopa Te Rau was the one who robbed others of their sight, Volkner was the one who brought sight to those who were blind.

Two centuries later, the eye eater was eventually forgotten. Volkner, however, was not. His heroics and love for God and for these people motivated the natives to name an island after him: The Volkner Rocks.

Volkner was one of those who was truly rich, even though it cost him his life. He shared what was most precious to him, and in so doing, he brought many who were poor in spirit to the kingdom of God.

Richness means nothing if we cannot share it with others. What are we willing to do to share the Kingdom? "The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’" Matthew 25:40

Rich are those who care for one another!

How will we be remembered by others?

Dear Lord, we pray that we would share Your love to those around us. Help us look for ways today that we can show those around us that we care. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Plus or Minus?

James 3:17-18 (New International Version)
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.



The next time you are faced with a “minus” situation, take a “plus” action. Here’s how John Wilson did it when he was dean of students at a college in the Midwest.


John was awakened in the middle of the night by a knock on the door of his apartment, which was just off the lobby of the men’s dormitory.


He opened the door, looked into the lobby and couldn’t believe his eyes. There was his little Volkswagen! It had been carried up a wide flight of stairs and placed right in front his door.


Instead of waking up the dorm and finding the culprits, he walked around the VW and laughed out loud. When the pranksters saw his surprising behavior, they came out from around the corner and said, “Hey! Can you believe we actually did it!?”


John said, “This is amazing. I’ve got to see it for myself. I’ll bet you can’t carry this thing back down those stairs.”


“Just watch us,” the bragged as they quickly lifted the car and carried it back to its original location. And that was the end of the prank.


If he had punished those students they would have tormented him for the rest of the semester.


Right now, think of a bad situation – then think of the best possible solution to your make-believe problem. If you stop to think about it, there’s always a “plus” in the picture.


Dear Lord we pray that we would handle those around us with a plus action instead of a minus actions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.