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THE
BEAR HEARING
GOD NO MORE
MONEY HILTON
HOTEL
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“Don't give cash to anyone in need, just put gas in their car, or give them groceries. You never know how people might misuse money. Especially don't ever gave cash to a street person, or a known alcoholic.” That’s advice that many had given us. And as a "general rule," it is a good thing to keep in mind. But what if God has a plan where giving cash would help. In 1983 my wife, Margaret, and I had opened an office in Oklahoma City to connect concerned Christians with afflicted people. A program on a Christian radio station quickly attracted many of those in need.
When we phoned the pastor, he explained that Bobby had been kicked out of the house by his wife and later lost his long-time family business. A serious addiction to alcohol was the cause of his problem. Two days later we received a small envelope from a listener. It contained three one dollar bills and a hastily scribbled note. An abandoned wife was filing for bankruptcy. This was the last of her cash, but she believed it was God’s desire for her to give it away. When I talked about this “widow’s mite” on the next day’s radio program it touched a few others and soon there was $64 for Bobby’s cause. Margaret and I drove toward the rural church to deliver the money. We deliberated and prayed. I suggested giving the pastor the cash to dole out in small increments to Bobby. Margaret said, “I think God is telling us to give it all to Bobby.” She smiled, saying, “If God can touch people’s hearts to give, can’t we trust Him on this too. Lets put Bobby in His hands.” How could I argue with that. It was 10 AM when we arrived. The only vehicle in the lot was the van. Bobby greeted us cordially, and before we could begin to get acquainted he began to strum a guitar and sing a song he had written. When he finished, we smiled and before we could start a conversation he said, “Here’s one you’ll like too.” And he took up his guitar again and began to sing. It was uncomfortable sitting there before a total stranger when hardly a word had been exchanged yet. Finally, after the fifth song, I held up my hand and said, “We’d like to talk a little, and pray with you, Bobby.” His slurred speech made me curious, “When did you have your last drink?” “About fifteen minutes before you arrived,” he replied. I said a few words about how God loved him and he reached for the guitar again. I stood up and walked toward him, “Bobby, let me pray with you.” He submitted, bowed his head and I began to pray. But my words seemed hollow. From the corner of my eye I saw Margaret moving in closer. She hugged him tightly, and began to pray. The presence of God was immediately felt by all of us. Bobby cried quietly, “Oh, thank you, thank you.” After handing him the money and telling him it was from God, who loved him very much, we drove back into the city. Lingering doubts crept in about having given a known alcoholic over sixty dollars in cash. Would he fill up his gas tank, go buy liquor and have an accident, injuring or killing someone? We dismissed those thoughts and decided to trust God with Bobby. It wasn’t until more than a year later, that Margaret contacted one of the elders of the church. The report was good. Bobby had joined Alcoholics Anonymous. He had stayed sober, gotten a job and was in church every Sunday. We were glad we trusted God, rather than listening to the admonitions of well-meaning friends. Jesus had promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to give counsel. We know that His guidance is far better than any rules of man. By D. E. Stribling
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-- not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (NIV) 2 Cor 3:6 |
The range and depth of human suffering in our city surprised us.
The source of help often came from people who were not much better off
than those who called for assistance. When Bobby Ellison asked for
gasoline money, we announced it on the radio. He
had been living in an old step-van for about a year. A rural church
allowed him to park it in their parking lot. An electric heater connected
to a long extension cord heated his make-shift quarters.
