Illustrations

Two men were marooned on an island. One man paced back and forth like he thought it was the last day of his life, while the other man relaxed and appeared unconcerned. The first man said to the second man, “Aren’t you afraid? We are about to die.”

“No,” said the second man, “I made a $100,000.00 commitment to our church building fund. My pastor will find me.”

Source: Unknown

“I have heard people say that they will not sign any pledge—not even to give a certain amount of money—because they might not be able to fulfill it. May I say to you, if you buy a house, or anything on which you are to make payments, they are certainly going to make you sign on the dotted line. I don’t know why people can sign up for everything else in life, but they are afraid to sign up with God. My friend, if you mean it, sign up with Him. Oh, how many folk have failed Him, but He is gracious. If we mean business with Him, He means business with us.”—J. Vernon McGee

Many people believe that they would be more generous if they had more money. According to Forbes there were 946 billionaires in 2007 and they gave an average of 1.2% of their income to charitable causes. Be generous with whatever amount of money God has entrusted to you.

Source: Leadership Magazine, Fall 2007

The disease cirrhosis of the giver was discovered in A.D. 34 by the husband-wife team of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11). It is an acute condition that renders the patient’s hands immobile when he is called on to move them in the direction of his wallet or her purse, and from thence to the offering plate. This strange malady is clinically unobservable in such surroundings as the golf club, supermarket, clothing store, or restaurants. Some try to use a fake remedy, pointing out to other patients that income tax deductions can be claimed for giving.

Two friends met each other on the street one day. One looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, “What has the world done to you, my old friend?” The sad fellow said, “Let me tell you: three weeks ago, my uncle died and left me forty thousand dollars.”

“That’s a lot of money.”

“But you see, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me eighty-five thousand dollars, free and clear.”

“Sounds to me that you’ve been very blessed.”

Blake Seybolt delivered pizzas to help with his college expenses. Once a seven-year-old boy came to the door to pay for the pizzas carrying a check in one hand and two one-dollar bills in the other. The boy pocketed the bills and presented the check to Blake which was in the exact amount of the bill. Blake asked, “Could that have been the tip?”

The boy responded, “Yep, not bad for just a walk from the living room and back.”

Sometimes Christians act that way with the money that God wants them to give to others.

James Cash Penney (who started J. C. Penney stores) made some unwise commitments and became very depressed. He worried so much that he developed shingles. He went to see his doctor who admitted him to the hospital, but his condition became worse. One night he was prescribed a sedative that quickly wore off, and he awoke believing that he would die that night. He wrote letters to his family and fell asleep.

There was a man who had worked all his life and saved much money, but he was a real miser. Just before he died he asked his wife to put all his money in the casket with him when he was buried. Being the good wife that she was, she promised to do so.

After his funeral was over, just before the casket was sealed his wife put a white envelope into the casket and turned away.

Henry Crowell contracted Tuberculosis as a boy. After Hearing D. L. Moody preach, he prayed, “I can’t be a preacher, but I can be a good business man. God, if You will let me make money, I will use it in Your service.” He later started the Quaker Oats company and consistently gave 60-70% of his income to the Lord’s work.

Source: The One Year Book of Devotions for Men on the Go, Stephen Arterburn, Pam and Bill Farrel

A flight student was flying a small plane when he hit the runway and bounced several times before stopping. The instructor said, “That was a very bad landing you just made.” “Me?” replied the student. “I thought you were landing!”

God never makes a mistake with your life, but you must let Him take control.

Source: The Story File: 1001 Contemporary Illustrations, Steve May