‘Day 270

“They sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Who will not fear You, Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before You, For Your acts have been revealed.” Revelation 14:3-4 (NASB)

Several times the Book of Revelation describes God as the “almighty.” This word translates from a Greek compound of “all” with “powerful” or “strong.” If God is truly all powerful, then we don’t need to worry. He can do great things with our small efforts, if we put ourselves in the place where He wants us to be. This is illustrated by an amazing story from the year 1900.

A sobbing little girl stood near a small church. She had been turned away because it was “too crowded.” “I can’t go to Sunday School,” she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by. Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the real reason for her rejection and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday School class.

Two years later, the child died and her parents called for the kind-hearted pastor to handle the final arrangements: As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled red purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note, scribbled in childish handwriting, which read: “This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School.”
The pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion. He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building.

But the story does not end there. A newspaper published the story. It was read by a wealthy realtor who offered them an expensive parcel of land which he offered to sell for 57 cents. Within five years the little girl’s gift had increased to $250,000. Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.
Today the Temple Baptist Church, has a seating capacity of 3,300. There is a Temple University as well. The existence of both were inspired by that girl’s dying gift. It goes to show what the Almighty can do with 57 cents.