The Preacher, the Printer, and the Peddler - Pt 2

There are so many stories that are resurfacing now that I have moved back home. Yesterday I quoted one of those that was written in The Community News, by Mark Riley, in 1996. Today I have one more to pull from the archives I was recently given of these articles, this one written in 1994. Mark writes: Recently the Preacher stopped by to visit with the Printer who was busy with a job. “Let me cut,” said the preacher, referring to using the commercial cutter printers use. The printer consented thinking that as long as the preacher kept his fingers in the right place, there would be no harm in letting him help. So, he told the preacher he would let him cut the business cards he had just printed. “What do I set this thing on?” asked the preacher. “Two inches,” responded the printer. He checked the machine and gave his nod of approval. After a few cuts, the preacher had a look of dismay on his face. “Something’s wrong with this cutter. It’s chopping off the letters,” the preacher said. “That’s because you are cutting the top of the card instead of the bottom of the card,” the printer told him. “I don’t see what difference that makes. The top and the bottom both look the same to me,” the preacher replied. “You of all people, preacher, should know, 10% off the top is more than 10% off the bottom,” said the printer. And, yep, that really happened! As I read the old article, I began to think of how often we like to make our own rules as we go. After all, “What difference could it make?” We often reason that as long as we get to the same place, it shouldn’t matter. The trouble with that thinking is that often we simply don’t get to the same place. God has a specific plan and purpose for our lives. He has given us very clear instructions in the living of our lives. The Apostle Paul describes this in what we call “the Law of the Harvest”: Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:6-10 ESV). My paraphrase is: “You get what you get because you go where you go; if you don’t like what you’re getting, don’t go where you’re going.” What often seems of no consequence is gravely destructive as it roots in our hearts and lives. Do it according to God’s plan and you will never need to be concerned about the result. They will always lead to eternal life!