The Travels of a One Dollar Bill and a Twenty Dollar Bill.

1 Chronicles 16:29 (NIV)

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

    bring an offering and come before him.

Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

As you think about giving your offering to God this week take a minute to read this fun little story.

A well-worn dollar bill and a similarly distressed twenty arrived at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to be retired. As they moved along the conveyor belt to the shredder they struck up a conversation. The twenty reminisced about its travels all over the country. "I've had a pretty good life," the twenty proclaimed. "Why I've been to Las Vegas and Atlantic City, the finest restaurants in New York, performances on Broadway and even a cruise from Miami."

"Wow!" said the single, "you really have gotten around."

"So tell me," says the twenty, "where have you been throughout your lifetime?"

"Oh, I've been to the Methodist Church, the Baptist Church, the Lutheran Church . . ."

And the twenty says, "What's a church?"

Don’t let that be the words of the money God entrusts to you.

Dear Lord, help us be faithful with the money and blessings that You give to us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

What Are You Willing to Give?

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.

It was many centuries ago in a remote village in India. Word began to spread that something was about to happen that no one had seen in their lifetime the prince was coming to visit their forgotten little village.

Everyone was excited but no one was more excited than the village beggar. Every day he eked out another day by sitting by the road with his little cup, hoping to get enough money to buy the rice to live one more day. He actually had two cups one for collecting money and one for his few grains of rice. But now the prince was coming, the wealthy prince! When the prince finally arrived, the beggar mustered his most impassioned appeal - Alms! Alms for the poor! And the prince stopped. The beggar's heart was pounding furiously.

Give me your cup of rice. That was all the prince said. The beggar slumped down in disbelief. Here was the wealthiest man in the land, asking for his lousy little cup of rice. The beggar was about to refuse, but instead he reached in and he put three grains of rice in the prince's hand. The prince turned to his servant and said, Bring me the bag of gold. The beggar could hardly contain himself as he eagerly stretched out his empty collection cup. The prince reached into his bag and placed three grains of gold in the beggar's cup. And then he disappeared, never to return but leaving the beggar to wonder for the rest of his life . . . what would have happened if I had given him my whole cup of rice?

Jesus, the Prince of Heaven, may be passing your way today with so much to give you. The forgiveness of every sin you've ever committed . . . a new beginning . . . the peace that has eluded you your whole lifetime . . . eternity with Him in heaven. He wants to make you spiritually rich. In fact, it was very expensive for Him to be able to offer you the heaven you don't deserve instead of the death penalty your sin does deserve. In our Bible verse, God describes the unspeakable sacrifice Jesus made to rescue you.

II Corinthians 8:9 says, You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (that's undeserved love), that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. When God's Son, Prince of Heaven, is hanging on that blood-stained cross, He is totally impoverishing Himself so you can have God's love, God's resources, God's heaven. It's hard for us to see that we are the beggar but the Bible says we're spiritually bankrupt because our running of our own life, and that has cut us off from our Creator. Only Jesus can bring us back. God says, When we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

Your life is as big as you can make it and it's nowhere near enough, is it? Jesus is passing by you today, asking you to turn over to Him the life He died for. If you're ready to trade what you have for what Jesus has, tell Him you're putting all your trust in Him today. Don't make the eternal mistake of hanging onto your little cup of rice, and missing Jesus' bag of gold.

Dear Jesus, Thank you that You have amazing things in store for us. Help us give unto You freely. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

A Little Girl and Her Crutches

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

One day a minister received a request from a missionary society to preach a missionary sermon to be followed by a collection for a certain foreign field. The minister put his whole soul into the effort, encouraging the people to give cheerfully for the Lord's work.

After the sermon the collection basket was passed as usual; but the minister watched the result with depressed feelings as only small amounts were dropped in. Evidently his words had not reached the hearts of his hearers. He noticed how those who were well able to give kept looking at the time, anxious to be out and about other things.

On the last bench, in the meantime, a battle was waging in the heart of a poorly clad girl. Through an accident, Margaret had been crippled. She could not take a step without assistance. One day a kind lady procured a pair of crutches for her and since then her life had been much happier. This Sunday she ventured for the first time to church. What a great blessing it was to be able to listen to the Gospel once more.

As the usher came near with the basket, Margaret said to herself with a sad heart, "I have nothing to give -- not a cent -- and there in the foreign land the missionaries are expecting our gifts; they need so much to carry on their work. Oh, what can I do?"

These thoughts went through her mind and made her shudder. "My new crutches could be sold for a sum of money, but I cannot spare them; I must have them; they are my very life".

"Yes, your life," said a voice within; "but did not Christ give his life for you? If you give what is your life, some poor souls in Africa will hear that he is their Savior too. Oh, if you only would!"

Finally a glow came over her face. She pressed a kiss on the crutches and waited her heart pounding.

The collection basket came to where Margaret sat. The usher knew her well. He gave a friendly nod and was about to pass on. To his astonishment, she made an effort to lay the crutches on the basket. The man grasped the situation, took the crutches out of her hand, put them on the basket and carried them slowly through the aisle, laying them without a word on the altar.

Everyone watched him in breathless suspense. They all knew the young girl, and many eyes filled with tears. The minister, deeply affected, laid his hand on the crutches and repeated solemnly the words of Jesus: "She hath done what she could."

What a stir this incident made in the meeting! Suddenly the perspiration came on the banker's brow, and he wiped his face with his handkerchief as he pulled out his pocketbook. The rich lady fumbled about for her purse. The rich merchant whispered something in the ear of the usher, who passed the collection basket once more from bench to bench. This time money came like raindrops. Quietly and solemnly the people left the church. One lady stepped up to Margaret and gave back her new crutches. She had redeemed them for the benefit of the missionaries for the sum of one hundred dollars. The happy girl returned home, little realizing how much she had done that day for her Master.

Are you willing to do what you can?

Dear Lord, we pray that our hearts would be willing to give what we can. Help us give from our heart so that others may see Your love through our gift In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Business is Your Ministry

Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

The Bible is very clear that the purpose for our work life is to reflect Christ in and through our lives. It is an attitude that says our work is to have an overriding "ministry" objective to it. Our work is our worship to God. These two words even originate from the same Hebrew word, avodah.

Robert Laidlaw was born in Scotland in 1885 but grew up in New Zealand. Born to Christian parents, he committed his life fully to the Lord when he was 17. Laidlaw began working in a hardware merchant company as a traveling sales representative when he was 19. Later he had the idea for a mail-order catalogue business that sold everything imaginable including underwear, groceries, cosmetics, and farm equipment, all at bargain-basement prices. His concept proved successful and his business later merged with the Farmer's Union Trading Company. He became general manager and held that position for 50 years.

But this is not the most significant thing that can be said about Robert Laidlaw. He understood that his work life was a tool to affect others for Jesus Christ. He began giving ten percent of his income early in his business life. Later, however, he entered this into his journal: "September 1919, age twenty-five. I have decided to change my earlier graduated scale, and start now giving half (fifty percent) of all my earnings." This he continued for the next 60 years.

The result of that commitment was countless numbers affected for Jesus Christ through the resources he gave to mission groups and other worthy Christian causes. He was personally involved in ministry. He wrote a small book that gave a thoughtful answer to basic questions about life and faith. It was titled The Reason. Many hundreds of thousands came to faith in Christ because of this 46-page booklet. He publicly spoke to many of his faith in Christ and became very involved in the Soldier's and Airmen's Association when World War II broke out. Robert Laidlaw understood what it meant to view business with an overriding ministry objective.

Does the Lord have complete control of your life? If so, you will be able to see your business life as an extension of His life in you. Let the Lord live in and through your business life today.

Dear Lord, we pray that we would have the same view that Robert had. Help us view how we can use our business as an extension of our ministry. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

This story is about a young lady, Alison, who is a waitress on the lunch shift at an upper class seafood restaurant.

Alison probably holds the record for the most jobs by age 25, but she has worked at this one for about a year now, which is good for her. As with any job, there are good days and bad, mostly reflected in what she makes in tips.

One week, she called her dad almost in tears, telling him of a server's worst nightmare -- spilling an entire meal in a customer's lap!

She said the lady was gracious as she rushed to get club soda to try to help get the stains out, even accompanying her to the rest room to try to help. Her horror was intensified when she discovered that the out-of-town lady was here for a banquet to be held in her late father's honor that evening, and she had nothing else to wear. The rest of the party was less than hospitable about the incident, which is understandable.

Alison felt horrible when she went back to the table and, finding only one gentleman left in the party awaiting the check, she offered him $30 -- most of her tips that day -- to buy the lady a new blouse to wear to the banquet.

The money was refused, but Alison was sure that she needed to find a new line of work and left that day in tears.

A new day always dawns, and indeed a different Alison called her dad a few days later to tell him of yet another episode.

It seems she waited on a couple of extremely nice elderly gentlemen who each had shrimp dinners, with a bill totaling about $30. When she left the table to ring up the sale, she noticed that they had left her a tip of $30! Sure that something was wrong, she went back to the table and questioned the gentlemen.

One of them said that, no, that was correct -- she was a wonderful server and she had earned every penny because she was so nice to them.

She told the man that she felt like hugging him and that was probably the best tip she had ever received, then proceeded to tell him about the incident of last week.

His response was, "How much did you say you tried to give that lady?"

When she replied, "Thirty dollars", he smiled at her and said, "The Lord works in mysterious ways."

We can always count on God working out the details. Our job is to trust Him in all things.

Dear Lord, thank You that You are always in control. When we don’t understand what is happening give it to the Lord and wait for His answer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Are You A Blessing to Somebody Today?

Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV)

24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;

    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

25 A generous person will prosper;

    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

One of the reasons God entrusts money to us is to bless other Christians by meeting their needs. God uses the transfer of money within the Body of Christ to build unity among Christians. Sometimes we withhold money that God has designated for someone else. He wants to bless through us, but His will cannot be accomplished through us if we are disobedient.

This was the case for a business owner who tells of the time when God told him to forego a company bonus one year. God directed him to share his year-end bonus with an employee to show his appreciation for him. He wrestled with God for three full days before obeying the Lord on the matter. When he finally met with the employee to give him his check, the man said he had been praying about a financial need he had three days earlier. He had decided to borrow the money to meet his need. The amount of money he borrowed was the exact amount the business owner gave him.

God had already planned to provide for the employee through the business owner, but because he was hesitant, he almost missed the opportunity to be an instrument of God in this man's life. Even so, he could have prevented the man from having to borrow money. It was an important lesson for the business owner.

How many people do we let down because we feel the "harvest" God provides is all ours? In America the pressure is always on to move up the ladder of material accumulation. Jesus warned us about this. If our focus is on accumulation, we will not look for opportunities to be God's vessels of financial blessing to others. Ask the Lord if you have an open hand when it comes to finances.

Dear Lord, help us be the one You use to be a blessing to somebody that is in need. Help us not be greedy with what You have given to us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Can God Use 57 Cents?

Matthew 25:2 (NIV)

His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it 'was too crowded'. "I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by. Seeing her shabby, appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday School class.

The child was so touched that she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.

Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings and the parents called for the kind-hearted pastor, who had befriended their daughter, to handle the final arrangements. As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note scribble in childish handwriting which read, "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday school."

For two years she had saved for this offering of love. When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion. He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building. But the story does not end there!

A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered it for a 57 cent payment. Church members made large subscriptions. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00 - a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century).

Her unselfish love had paid large dividends. When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300, and Temple University, where hundreds of students are trained. Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of Sunday scholars, so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside at Sunday school time.

In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russel H. Conwell, author of the book, "Acres of Diamonds."

Do you have room for someone today who needs a place to learn from God?

Dear Lord, help us have a heart that is open to those around us that need Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.