An apology is due. I truly am sorry and regret what I did, but the Lord redeems all things and something happened at my church to turn this cranky member into a believer. It was personal, personal revival times two.

Defining the right thing

I tore open the envelope and I was not happy. Of course, it had little to do with what was in the envelope, but my pump was already primed to spew. One. More. Thing. One more thing to fix; one more bill to pay; one more day as sole manager of the house.

Enumerating the failures of service and billing, I made a decent case for the judge in my mind. Which means, I decided I was right. Careful not to hurt anyone’s feelings or neglect my obligations, I did what I do best and what I do worst – I wrote a letter. Recounting the situation, I expressed my displeasure but, agreed to “do the right thing” and included a check.

Then something happened in my church

We had a revival. Wait, it’s not what you think. No one pounded the pulpit and called for unbelievers to sign up for fire insurance. Instead, Life Action Ministries invaded our homes, our church and our hearts. Night after night, the house was packed and re vival happened. You know they say you can be revived if you’ve never been vived in the first place.

Heart change

Anyway, I think someone said something about money and letting go and pretty soon I got another envelope with a ransom note included. My creditor returned my check and requested I donate the total sum to a cause which furthered the kingdom of Christ. No direction, no rules.

If you know me at all, you know my heart for missions, so I made the easy investment and contributed to the mission fund. What happened next is nothing short of God’s hand at work.

Multiplication

Unchurched people living in dark places gathered with believers to talk about what God was doing in their lives. Men prayed and ate meat. Yeah, I know. Anyway, I suppose the appeal was irresistible, because they kept meeting and eating and growing in their faith.

Deal me in

Now, let me clear something up. I have no idea how the money I sent to missions was used or what the results were, if any. What I’m talking about is the deal I struck with my creditor. Kinda like a high stakes poker game,only motivated by jealousy rather than greed.

My own ears heard the same sermon he did and my own heart quickened too. When he returned my money, I knew he was grinnin’ and lovin’ every minute of it. And I couldn’t stand it. The blessing the cheerful giver experienced was immediate and I wanted in on it.

Place your bet

So, I raised his challenge by donating my money AND paying him what I owed for services well-rendered with the suggestion he donate it to a kingdom cause. No obligation, no rules. Turns out he’s a lot more creative than me. Instead of doing the easy thing with a pen and checkbook, he turned his wheels and rolled up his sleeves. He funded himself with food and shod his feet with the gospel of peace. He rounded up men right in his hometown and they rounded up more men and more meat. As far as I know, now the guys chip in and pay for the men’s prayer meeting every week.

All while I was praying for God to raise up an army of men who stand up for Christ.

The moral of the story; straight from the Word:

“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.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV

“You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.'” Acts 20:35 (MSG)

“‘Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.'” Malachi 3:10b (NLT)

The safest bet

I hope you’ll want in on this investment. Try it for yourself, but be creative. Spend your money and your time on treasures in Heaven. Share with those in need and be blessed.

P.S. I know about those verses that say not to advertise your gifts, but really, I acted ugly and the Lord blessed anyway. So there.

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