57 Cents
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, unkempt appearance, thepastor 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 happy that they found room for her, and 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. Her 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 red purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note, scribbled ina child's 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 wealthy realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands of dollars.When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered to sell it to the little church for 57 cents.
Church members made large donations.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 be sure to visit Temple University , where thousands of students are educated.Have a look too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of beautiful children,built so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time.
In one of the rooms can be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made suchremarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russell H. Conwell, author of the book, "Acres of Diamonds."
This is a true story, which goes to show
WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 CENTS.
A few things struck me as I read this. One is that I do feel that Christians do take for granted the marvelous gift of Salvation they have. People out there need God while they sing halelujahs to them themselves every Sunday and live every other days in a manner that make people shun Christian. Of course not all are like that. Just most.
Which is bad enough.
Two. This sentence does not make sense. "she had been turned away because it was "too crowded." " Hey Hey! When is a Church too crowed tha that someone will be rejected from the love of God? Don't make sense right? Hmmm...After thinking for a while, I realise that that is happening currently but it's subtle. The way Satan likes it. Think about it. What can it be? It's not too obvious but if you are honest with yourself and you have been looking out for other, this shouldn't be too difficult for you. Unless of cos you are blind to those around you. So far, I've seen this in the Christians of my Class, Church , Crusade and SYFC. Awwww....so common? Got it yet? Ok I'll say now. It is the rejection of those that are not normal to us. Our Cliques or groups are just "TOO FULL" for them. It's very clear in my Church and Class. It's more Rare in Crusade and SYFC.
I wonder why....the difference between the Christians who are in Para Churches and Churches. I realise that the reason can be simple. The para churches are made up by Christians who made the decision to seek God and set aside extra time for God in their lives while some Christians are in church because their mommy and daddy is in church. So I guess the ratio of real Christians to by name christians are really different in Churches and Para Churches.
Why? I think we all take God for granted here and there. Like I mentioned earlier, we are already saved. Sometimes we don't think much for the unsaved. Cos if we truely apprieciate the Gift of God, we'll be sharing this Good news to everyone we see or meet! Including those sitting beside us when we travel. It's Good News after all right?
I'm gonna Change my Blogskin!