The Lord Jesus Lives in One of You

Stewardship often begins with sharing some of the simplest things, a smile, a helping hand, a kind word. Remember, "...what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me." (Matthew 25:45)

Once there was a small church in a small rural town in the hills of Kentucky. Over the years many of the old members died and no young people came to join the church. Thus, the numbers were dwindling until only fifteen older members were left. Since their old pastor had died and they had not been able to call anyone else to lead them, the Chairman of Deacons was in charge of the small congregation. He was very worried about how the church would survive with only these fifteen old members and no new young members coming to help share the work, take care of the building, and even care for the older ones as they were dying.

The deacon went into the fields to pray about this problem. As he was praying in the woods an old retired pastor came along. The old man could see that the deacon was worried and so he asked the deacon what was bothering him. The deacon explained the problem and then asked the old pastor if he might have a solution. The man thought for a while and finally said, "I do not have an answer to your problem but I do know a secret about your small group of church members.

Although the deacon was disappointed that the old pastor had no answer, he did ask the old man what the secret might be. The old man considered for a few minutes before sharing his secret and then replied, "The Lord Jesus lives in one of you."

When the deacon returned to the church he told the other members about his meeting with the old pastor and the strange secret the old man had told him. For weeks and months each of the members were troubled by this secret.

Could Jesus be living in Brother Anthony? Surely, he was the wisest of all the members.

Could He be in Brother David? He was big and strong.

Could He be living in Sister Josephine? She was very quiet and no one knew her well.

Maybe it was even in Brother Matthew He was living. He was crabby most of the time, but everyone also knew that he was sick and suffered a lot of pain.

Or maybe Jesus was living in the deacon? After all, he was the leader.

As the members began to look at each other and think about which one secretly had Jesus living in them, a strange thing began to happen. They began to be kinder to one another. They began to help each other more. After all, you never knew if you were helping Jesus. They showed more respect for one another. The people in town saw this new attitude and they liked the kind spirit they found at the church. Soon many people came to join the members and help them with the church. Many young people joined the church. The church grew and grew and the members were able to help the poor, open a school for the children, and build a fine church where the people could gather and pray. They never learned in which one among them Jesus was living.