A Hundred Bucks

Several weeks ago, the pastor of the church we’ve been attending did a series on finances. The intent was not only to help people realize how to be faithful stewards of their own money, but also how to humble themselves to be fellow servants of all people. There were many object lessons throughout, but the biggest one was at the end. At the end of the last session, he used bits and pieces of the game show “Deal or No Deal” to illustrate a couple points. He had a little more than 30 volunteers come up on the stage and they did impromptu lessons in multiplying what’s given to you and helping others with less by using tons of Tootsie Rolls. Then they rearranged the stage to look like the set of “Deal or No Deal” and he had a briefcase filled with more Tootsie Rolls that each person had agreed to multiply and pass to someone with less.
Except it wasn’t Tootsie Rolls. It was cash.
Everyone on stage was challenged to take what money they were handed and do something to help someone less fortunate. Each was handed a hundred bucks.
Today was the follow up of that last sermon in the financial series.
There wasn’t really a regular service today… just a lot of catching up with what people have been doing.
This isn’t all, but here’s the gist of what a hundred bucks can do:

One man used the $100 to seed more donations that amounted to $800 that he ultimately gave to Covenant House International, a privately funded agency that provides shelter and services to homeless, runaways, and those forced into prostitution.

Another added his to a group called “Dressed for Success” who provides professional attire to women who lack funds to purchase suitable clothing to get into the job market, and in return those women are going to give back to the organization creating the chance for those coming after them.

One used the money to buy all manner of baking ingredients and held a huge bake sale making in excess of $600 that he gave to a man recovering from heart surgery who’s wife has cancer.

One man used his to secure necessary items to hold a benefit for a family in need of a handicap accessible van; raising $3,000.

A woman used her $100 to organize a raffle for a Nintendo Wii and ended up donating $400 to a children’s burn unit.

Another woman started a project called “Catering 4 Cancer” and she started providing meals for cancer patients and their caregivers during weeks that they have overwhelming chemotherapy schedules and appointments. She approached area restaurants and has gotten pledges to provide meals or gift certificates amounting in $400 so far. One restaurant is providing meals for one year.

This is just a sampling of all the good that has come of this one little lesson.
Well done, good and faithful servants. Well done.