The great preacher Charles H. Spurgeon once learned about such peace while trying to raise money for the poor children in London. He came home to Bristol hoping to collect 300 pounds to support his work with London’s homeless children.
At the end of a week of meetings, many lives had been changed and his financial goal had been reached. That night as he bowed in prayer, Spurgeon seemed to hear a voice saying, “Give the money to George Mueller” (the founder of a great orphanage in England). “Oh no, Lord,” answered Spurgeon, “I need it for my own dear orphans.” Yet Spurgeon could not shake the idea that God wanted him to part with it. Only when he said, “Yes Lord, I will,” could he find rest.
With great peace he made his way the next morning to Mueller’s orphanage and found that great man of prayer on his knees. The famous minister placed his hand on Mueller’s shoulder and said, “George, God has told me to give you these 300 pounds I have collected.” “Oh, my dear brother,” said Mueller, “I have just been asking Him for exactly that amount.”
The two servants of the Lord then wept and rejoiced together. When Spurgeon returned to London, he found a letter on his desk containing 300 guineas. “There,” he cried with joy, “the Lord has returned my 300 pounds with 300 shillings’ interest.”
Spurgeon learned what another generous believer once said, “I shovel out, and God shovels in, and He has a bigger shovel than I do.”
|
