PUT MORE IN. GET MORE OUT

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Pastor Bob was hosting a week long revival in his church, and he had contracted with his good friend, Evangelist Bill, to do the preaching.

On the last night of the revival, and after the last sermon was completed, Pastor Bob rose from his chair, and stepped to the pulpit.

“Well, we certainly have appreciated the good preaching of my friend, Rev. Bill, and we want to take up a love offering now, and send him on his way. So, I want everyone to dig deep, and do what they can to bless this wonderful evangelist.”

With this, two deacons stepped forward, and began to pass the offering plates from pew to pew. Interestingly enough, a little lad named, “Markie” and his mother had faithfully attended every meeting, and the young blond-haired tyke had paid special attention to everything the evangelist had said and done. And, as usual, the small boy was intently watching the flaming revivalist, as the offering plate made its way past him.

And while Rev. Bill realized the offering was meant for him, he could not let the plate pass without putting something in; if only a matter of formality, and potential embarrassment if he hadn’t. And holding the offering plate in one hand, he rummaged through his pockets, dug out five quarters, and dropped them in.

Little Markie, who was sitting on the opposite pew, was ‘all eyes.’

After the pastor concluded the service, and most everyone had gone home, it so happened that little Markie’s mother was talking to the preacher’s wife, and the little boy lingered nearby. Suddenly, Bob walked up to his dear friend Bill, and poured the offering in his waiting hands.

Well, my friends, there wasn’t all that much to pour. For as the money exchanged hands, Markie heard the momentary rush of paper, and tinkle of coins.

…2 one dollar bills & 5 quarters

And I can tell you those 5 quarters looked very familiar to not only the young evangelist, but to Markie, as well. Of course, Evangelist Bill was far from impressed, but he tried his best to hide his disappointment.

Suddenly, the good evangelist felt a tug on his pant leg. Looking down, he recognized the little boy who had paid him so much attention during the course of the revival.

Little Markie looked up at Rev. Bill, and with an innocent smile on his face exclaimed,

“Preacher, if you had put more in, you would have got more out!”

 by William McDonald, PhD