Don’t Give Up

I say to the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Our church was one month away from moving into a brand-new building. The financing was in place, we were completing the finishing stages of construction, and we were planning the celebration. Then we got word that the lender was changing the financing plan, which meant we had to come up with $100,000 in one month. Everyone had already sacrificed so much to get into this building. We had all given diligently and prayed diligently, and we had been so close to our goal. The news left us stunned.

We gathered together for a week of prayer meetings to seek God’s answer to this unexpected obstacle. It was on the third night of praying that Frank, a hardworking man faithful in his walk with Christ, came and asked if some men could help him bring something in from his car. Two men followed him out, and they came back with a huge bottle filled with coins. Then Frank told his story.

As a reward to himself, Frank collects his pocket change in a five-gallon water bottle throughout the year. When it comes time for vacation, he uses the change as his play money. He generally ends up with several hundred dollars in change each year. In the course of praying for guidance in our church’s current crisis, Frank came to the conclusion that God wanted him to give his “pocket change” to the building fund.

Frank’s selflessness launched a wave of hope and determination in the church that was nothing short of remarkable. Everybody began praying for God to use them too. Almost everybody found a new way to give. Within a month, the church raised the $100,000. The pocket change of one diligent man changed our church. In what ways are you diligent?

Lord, work in my heart so that I never get tired of doing what is right.