They Were Just LikeYou and Me

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  For by it the men of old gained approval, by faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible” (Heb. 11:1-3).

Hey Gang:  When I get down on myself, one of the chapters in the Word I turn to is Hebrews eleven.  The first Godly principle that stands out in this the Faith Hall of Fame is- all were just normal people just like you and me.  I once heard a Pastor use the analogy that when God had something He wanted done, He looks for a broken vessel and smashes it and molds it into the image He wants.   

Each of those mentioned here are just like you and me.  They had doubts, fears and, I suspect, were discouraged at times.  Gideon had them.  When God came to Gideon and said, “Gideon, you mighty man of valor, I want you to take an army out and beat the tar out of the Mideonites,  ”Gideon’s response was, “You want me to do what?”  

He was not alone.  Moses, the greatest leader of all time who lead a million or more grumbling, complaining people for 40 years in the wilderness, also had deep doubts. I would suggest he had more than enough discouragement to go around. 

When the angel told Sarah that she would have a bambino, Sarah laughed -  perhaps hysterically- for she was far beyond the child-bearing time in her life.  Isaac lied to the king, Jacob was called a deceiver.  David murdered and committed adultery.     

Since retiring from the roast beef, mashed potatoes and peas speaking circuit, my notebook of endorphins has remained in mothballs.  As I reread the faith chapter the following story demanded that I include the following story in this epistle.  It is s story with a tragic beginning but a very clear message for you and me.

The Pastor, who happened to walk by, asked the little girl why she was standing outside the church door sobbing.  She said she could not go in because she was told it was too crowded.  Seeing her unkempt appearance, he quickly realized the truth and took the girl by the hand the took her into the church.

That night, as she lay on her bed, she thought of all the children who could not go to church because there was no room.  She asked God to help her make a way so that every child could go to church.  Two years later the girl died. As they were going through the few things that were special to her, they found a crumpled red purse.

 It looked like something she had rescued from a garbage can and in it was a 57 cent love offering with a note scribbled in childish handwriting: “This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School”.   

A newspaper learned of the story and published it.  It was read by a wealthy realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands of dollars.  When the pastor of the church which had very little money asked the price, his response, fifty-seven cents.

As people learned of the story, they began to send in gifts- some small, some large and others very large.  Soon more than a quarter-million dollars had been given, a huge sum for that time.  Her unselfish love had opened the hearts of many. 

If you happen to be in Philadelphia sometime, be sure and drop by the Temple Baptist Church with its seating capacity of three thousand.  While you are, there be sure to look up Temple University. And, Oh, yes, stop by Good Samaritan Hospital and a Sunday School building that provides the needed space so that no child need stand outside sobbing because there is no room!

In one of the rooms is a picture of a sweet faced little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially given, made this remarkable story a reality.  Dr. Russell H. Conwell, her Pastor, who rescued her from the closed church door that day wrote a book “Acres of Diamonds”. It is the true story of what God can do with 57 cents.

If God were to write an addendum to chapter 11 of Hebrews today, would your name be included?   Bruce Barton wrote, “The greatest proposition in the world is to put a bet on a child.  You invest a few dollars in his character and education and you do not have a clue how far he or she will go”.  

Blessings,

Gramps