Paid In Full..... Free Reprint Article

NotifySnack

Christian Articles for All of your Publishing Needs!

LIKE US

Translate this Page Here

Word Count: 990

Send Article To Friend

Print/Use Article

Contact Shannon Heiden

Paid In Full.....

by Shannon Heiden
7/25/2009 / Devotionals

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.
(Proverbs 19:17 NIV)

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school had only a dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water.

She thought he looked hungry so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"

"You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."

He said..... "Then I thank you from my heart." As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists.

Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.

He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life.

After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval.

He looked at it, and then wrote something on the edge. The bill was sent to the woman and as she opened it, she read these words.....

"Paid in full by a kindness"

Dr. Howard Kelly

Beautiful One, did you know that "no one should die because they can't afford to live?" Do you realize that there are millions of people who have done exactly that? They died, because they couldn't afford to live, being deprived of just the basic needs of life. Food, water, and medical care.

Sometimes what we think are tragedies in our own lives are really not. We do have obstacles and challenges. But compared to homelessness, hunger, illnesses (that are treatable yet remain) only because one cannot afford adequate medical attention. In light of these, what are we really dealing with?

In this day and age, with all of the resources available, why is it that one half of the world still goes to bed hungry, while the other half goes to sleep full? Are we in this life together or not? Has not God chosen each of us to breathe the same air, feel the same sun, and walk on the same dirt? So why then is it that people pass by us on this journey and we never even see them? We get so busy and distracted with our plans, problems and purpose that we neglect pointing to another and being the very hands and feet that God intended us to be.

I think at the core of every Christians heart is an innate desire to reach out to others. For how can one truly belong to the "giver of life" without desiring the same for another? Maybe the complacency creeps in as the lines get blurred. We get lost in translation. Maybe we have tried in times past to help others and it has backfired on us. Maybe when we were hurting, no one reached for us. Maybe we just don't know exactly how to go about it and we feel overwhelmed, therefore we do nothing.

The bible says; "He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." (Proverbs 14:31 NIV) As we look at the world today, with job losses, resources lacking and stress at an all time high. More and more people are coming face to face with adversity. More and more people are learning firsthand what it is to lose their hope.

People are hurting. People are dying.

Let that not be. Not on our watch..

What I love about Jesus is that he was careful to mention the poor and oppressed. Jesus knew that even though Gods glory would fill the earth, so would oppression. Gods desire is that his people would rise to the occasion, look beyond themselves and reach out and help another.

Maybe we can't change them, but we can feed, clothe and give them something to drink. Just think about water. The liquid we use to make our coffee and water our lawns, is the very thing that people die from because they don't have access to it. This is senseless and outrageous. And, it is something we can change.

Homeless shelters are being inundated with families. Once affluent business men and women are now residing with those who have lost everything and have gained despair. Whose fault is it? Who cares? God in his mercy has rescued each of us and not treated any of us as our sins deserve.

The issue isn't for us to determine. The fact that a brother is in need is enough for us to reach out and give if we have the power to do so.

Maybe you are the one in need? The best way I know to get out of it, is to sow into anothers life the very thing you desire for your own. Be the change you want to see. There is no perfect time.

The time is Now.

Today, we can do something. God blesses what we do, not what we think about. We can be the lovely person who opens the door and gives more than what is hoped for.

And we can do it, today.

Beautiful One, just believe because your debt has been paid in full.

Shannon Heiden
[email protected]
changingonelifereachingmany.typepad.com

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! Click here and TRUST JESUS NOW