For Just 57 Cents
A little girl stood near a small church that had refused to let her in because it was, "too crowded." As the pastor walked by on his way to the church, the little girl sobbed loudly, "I can't go to Sunday school. They won't let me in."
When the pastor saw her shabby, unkempt appearance, he guessed this was the reason. He took her by the hand, walked her to the church and found a seat inside the Sunday school for her to sit down. She was so happy that they found room for her and later that night, she went to bed thinking of the other children who are not allowed in church to worship Jesus.
Two years later, the little girl was found dead in one of the poor tenement buildings. Her parents called for the kindhearted pastor, who allowed their daughter into Sunday school, to handle the final arrangements.
As her body was being moved, a worn and crumpled red purse was found next to her. Inside the purse, they discovered 57 cents and a note, scribbled in a childs handwritting, that read, "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday school."
The parents told the pastor, that for two years, this little girl had saved her offering of love. Her parents were too poor to give her any money, so she accumulated the money from the coins she found in the street.
When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew exactly what he would do. Carrying the note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of the little girl's unselfish love and devotion. Then he challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the largest building.
But the story doesn't end there...
A newspaper editor heard about the plight of the church and wrote an article about it then published it. A very wealthy realtor read the article and offered his land, which was many acres and worth thousands of dollars. And when the church informed the man that they were just a little church and didn't have the funds to purchase his land, the man offered to sell it to the little church for 57 cents.
Church members began tithing more and people from all over the world were making huge contributions so the church could get the materials needed to build the larger church.
Within five years, the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00. A huge sum for that amount of time. Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.
If you are ever in the city of Philadelphia, look for Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 33,000. And also, built from the contributions, is Temple University, where thousands of students are educated.
Also look at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday school building which houses hundreds of children ... built so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time.
In one of the rooms of this building, you will find the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such a remarkable history. Alongside of it, is a portrait of the kindhearted pastor, Dr. Russell H. Cromwell, author of the book, "Acres of Diamonds."
This is a true story which goes to show:
WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 CENTS!
Malachi 3:10 "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my temple. If you do," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!" ----NLT