Good Gifts

GOOD GIFTS

Go to God--he is the source of our goodness on this earth.

Matthew 7:11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

This story about Hudson Taylor, a well-known missionary to China. While preparing for overseas mission work as a medical student in London, he came upon a poor family. The man asked him to pray for his family who were living under the stairs. His wife was so sick she could not even sit-up. The oldest was holding a newborn baby, who was so weak from lack of nutrition. The rest of the five children were all skin and bones from lack of food. Hudson prayed for them but felt the need to help them physically, but all he had was the money for his rental, which was due the next day. He did not even have money for his own food. Hudson gave it all to the man.

Hudson went home thinking what a foolish thing he did--if he cannot pay the rental, he too will be homeless. He prayed about it and prepared himself to appeal to the landlord for an extension. The next day, late in the morning he heard the landlord coming up the stairs. Hudson prepared himself. The landlord knock on his door; he opens it and the landlord handed him a letter and said, "Your rent is due today," and left to do other things. Hudson had no opportunity to appeal for an extension. He opened the letter to read, still with an empty stomach. Inside the letter said "We hope this will be of use to you"--money for the rental and food. God does give good gifts to his people.

From Davidson Goh's Sermon "Is There Any Good in This World?"