It was Thanksgiving Day and Al had stopped for coffee in a restaurant in New Jersey. Beside him at the counter sat another man, Bill, who proved to be friendly and talkative. Soon a lively conversation ensued in which Al commented on Bill’s sun tan.
“I just came up from Florida,” Bill replied. “I spend most of my time in the south now—I love boating. But at least twice a year I have to travel north on business. My wife’s family has a yearly reunion and all 27 of us get together.”
Al, a Christian, thought this sounded like a nice event and remarked, “How good it is to see families going on happily together.” Bill agreed warmly and further confided that he had been named trustee in father-in-law’s will.
“The old man left a fortune to be used to educate the boys and girls in his home town,” said Bill, “and for 32 years I have been helping choose the fortunate students.
“Of the 5,000 students in the school, each year six young people are selected to receive a four-year scholarship in the college of their choice, all expenses paid.”
How generous a gift that was! But I can tell you of an infinitely greater gift-the gift of eternal life. And you don’t have to be a good student or be carefully screened from a large group to get it! For “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23). “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17). This man left his money to help boys and girls in this life, but the Lord Jesus laid down His life that you might live with Him in peace and happiness in His heavenly home forever.
“Well,” Bill said, “That was the business that brought me up from Florida to cold New Jersey. Just yesterday I signed checks for $144,000 for these students’ school expenses.”
“It must give you a good feeling to be able to help so many,” suggested Al.
But with a quick glance, Bill replied: “Not as much as you might think! There is so little appreciation. Do you know that for 32 years we have been doing this; six each year, six from the year before..., so that for four years there are 24 students we support each year. Yet in all that time we have received only two thank-you letters and two invitations to college graduations!
“I saw one boy at a party,” he continued, “and we had spent $18,000 on his education. I asked him how he was, if he had a good job. ‘Really great,’ he said, ‘marvelous opportunity!’ Think your college helped?’ I asked. ‘Oh, yes,’ he replied. ‘I never could have gotten it otherwise!’ ‘Well, it would have been nice to hear from you to that effect. When you were in college we heard from you regularly. At least twice a year you let us know how much you needed for expenses—but never a word since!’
“The boy’s mouth was stopped when I told him that,” Bill went on, “and I didn’t mind. When you think that there are 700 students who have accepted our gift and never said ‘thank you’ you might understand why I’m less than enthusiastic about having to sign that $144,000 in checks yesterday.”
Dear young friends, does that shock you? But are we not far more guilty? Do we not daily enjoy God’s good gifts—health, homes, loved ones, food, clothing, and many more good things besides—and yet how often we never say “thank you"? The Lord Jesus, the best Gift of all, came to earth to save you; yes, it cost God more than money to purchase our redemption. Christ loved us, and gave Himself for us. “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24). Receive this free gift! Come to Him now; thank Him and praise Him—you’ll never be sorry!
ML-11/19/1978