Stacy Peck, Media Development Manager for The LCMS Foundation, has contributed stories here in the past. See "Are our schools worth it?" and "A Giving Spirit." This story is about "Scott," who found himself one night with only $2.00 in his pocket.
One Saturday evening in mid-December, Scott was driving home after attending a meeting halfway across the state. He stopped for gas and also purchased a car wash, using the “Pay at the Pump” option with his credit card. When he tried to drive through the car wash, it was out of order so he went inside and asked for a refund since he was several hours from home. The attendant gave him $6.00 which he added to the $2.00 in his wallet.
The next Monday, Scott arrived at the school where he taught, early as usual. While reading his morning devotion, he heard someone knocking on the front door. He walked up the stairs and found a bedraggled man standing on the sidewalk. The man hurriedly explained that he had come to the church seeking help, but the pastor wasn’t there. He needed money for a bus pass in order to get to work that week. Scott asked him how much a bus pass cost and the man replied “$8.00.”
Without hesitation, Scott handed over the $8.00 in his wallet. It was all he had to last until payday, but he knew God would provide for his needs. The man thanked him repeatedly, shook his hand and started to turn away. As the bus pulled to the curb, Scott wished him a good day and then said, “By the way, our children’s Christmas program is tonight at 7:00 p.m., we’d love for you to come. If you can’t make it tonight, we worship every Sunday morning at 8:00 and 10:30.”
The man gave Scott a quick smile as he climbed onto the bus and disappeared. Scott really didn’t have much hope of ever seeing the man again and soon forgot all about him as the students began to arrive.
That evening the sanctuary was full of excited children, all eager to share the wonderful news of Jesus’ birth with their proud parents. Scott ushered his class into their assigned pew and then took a quick look at the faces filling the church. He froze as he saw a familiar face in the very back pew. Yes, the bedraggled man from that morning had come to hear the children proclaim the Christmas message. The man slipped out before Scott had a chance to greet him after the service, but he came back the next Sunday...and the next. Six months later, he still comes more often than not.
How much does it cost to share the Good News with someone? In Scott’s case, it was $8.00 and God provided both the opportunity and the means. What has He given you to share?
If you want to help share the Good News about Jesus with people all over the world, give a gift to LCMS World Mission. If you want to share food with the hungry, give a gift to LCMS World Relief. Click here to make a gift on the new Giving Catalog.