PUT MORE IN. GET MORE OUT

 4354

A Baptist minister hosted a week of revival meetings at his church each spring. And as the time approached that year, he began thinking about who he might invite to preach the series of meetings.

Ultimately, he decided on a particular evangelist whom he had known for years. And having contacted him, and received an acknowledgement, Pastor Black notified his congregation, and encouraged them to attend.

Rev. Brown preached "his heart out" during the course of the week of the revival, and seemed to be well received by most of the parishioners. And it so happened, that Pastor Black's seven year old son, Sonny, was especially interested in the evangelist, and watched him intently as he preached.

Now, Friday evening rolled around, and Rev. Brown was welcomed to the pulpit by his friend for the final time. The former waxed eloquent, as he expounded on the joys of heaven, and renewing relationships with those who had previously gone on to their reward.

Little Sonny was especially captivated by the evangelist, and fancied himself in a similar role one day. Now, Rev. Brown finished his sermon, and took a seat on the first row, as Pastor Black returned to the pulpit, and announced that the church would take up a collection for the good evangelist.

Two ushers walked to the front, and retrieved the offering plates, and began to pass them to the parishioners. Sonny's eyes were fixed intently on the evangelist, as the offering plate approached him. 

And while the offering was meant for the good evangelist, he felt a bit insecure about not putting something in; as was his general habit. Digging into his pocket, he came up with a dollar and thirteen cents, and dropped it into the plate. Now, Sonny frowned, and shook his head.

At this point, Pastor Black prayed a closing prayer, and allowed his congregation to depart the premises. Ultimately, three people remained in the building; the pastor, his evangelist friend, and Sonny.

Pastor Black seemed somewhat nervous, unusually so, as he handed Rev. Brown an envelope containing the offering. And while etiquette required him to wait 'til he returned to his car, he stole a glance into the envelope, and was unpleasantly surprised at what he saw...

Two ten dollar bills, one one dollar bill and thirteen cents!

With this development, the good evangelist's countenance fell.

Suddenly, Rev. Brown felt a tug on his pant leg. Little Sonny was looking up at him. 

And now, the young boy spoke.

"Preacher Brown, if you had put more in, you would have got more out!!!"

by Bill McDonald, PhD