While reading a few pages on endowment building, I came across a quote that really intrigued me.  It’s from a very smart man who was apparently very wise to:

     A hundred times every day I remind my self that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving. 

 The author?  Albert Einstein.  Right on the heals of reading Albert’s quote, I encountered my friend Ed early this morning.   Ed lives nearby in a ramshackle house.  He’s been coming by lately to collect pecans that are scattered around the base of a tree on the Christian Service Center property.  The past few mornings he’s been coming by, always asking if he could have a cup of coffee.  Then he often asks to use our phone.

While I gladly offered him a cup, and showed a hospitable spirit on the outside, on the inside I was just a bit annoyed.  My thought was, “Why can’t he buy his own coffee?  It doesn’t seem fair that he comes by to drink “our” coffee?  We paid for it.”

Then it hit me:  how much do I have or receive because of the labor of others’ hands?  Nearly each Sunday I’m worshipping in a building that was constructed and paid for by Christians at Highland who are mostly gone on to their reward.  

I attended two Christian universities to receive Bible training and graduate degrees.  Thousands of men and women poured their money and even their lives into creating and sustaining these institutions.  And I was a recipient of all their sacrifices.

The ministry I’m currently leading was founded  by caring Christians.  Churches, friends from the community and foundations continue to support this work.   I didn’t earn their money or support.  It came from the hand of God through them.

I think you get the point.  While it may seem unfair for Ed to get his free coffee, is it really unfair when I think of all the blessings I enjoy because of the sacrifice of others?

And so I want to continue giving to others so they may be blessed the way God keeps blessing me.  He gives and He gives and He gives.  And as His child, I want to be a wide-open channel of His love so that others may know His extravagant, saving grace.

Like Albert did, I think I’ll keep reminding myself each day of what others have done for me.  And more importantly, that all these gifts come from the goodness of God.

Jim