“Whatever you did for the poorest of my family, you did for
Me." ~ Matthew 25:40
He came barefoot to church every
Sunday. Unaffected by the shameful glances,
old Joe looked out of place in his tattered clothes – rags so worn that it was impossible
to guess what era they originally belonged to.
Emma was drawn to him immediately . . . and determined to find out why.
After the service, Emma hurried out the doors and waited
until she spotted his bare feet amidst a flood of Sunday’s-best shoes. As Joe headed toward the alley, she ran to
catch up. “Excuse me sir. I’ve something for you,” she exclaimed holding
out a small envelope.
He turned, brows furrowed above warm green eyes. “Have we met?” he asked.
“Not formally,” Emma explained, “but this is for you . . . so
you can buy some new shoes for church.”
His lips curved into a smile. “You’re very kind, and tucked
the envelope in his ragged trousers. “Name’s Joe,” he said before continuing down
the alley, head down, hands back in his pockets.
The following Sunday, Joe arrived at church early - same worn
clothing and barefoot still. Curiosity
peaking, Emma followed him from a discreet distance down the alley. Joe
walked toward a series of rundown houses surrounding a small, dusty soccer
field where children too, ran barefoot.
How odd, Emma thought, Shoe-less Joe was a shoe-maker. Admiring his final product one last time, Joe
turned off the shop light and retired to rest.
Each day that week, Emma went to the field and watched as Joe
delivered shoes to different families. He’d
spend the day carefully making shoes and the evening passing them out.
Finally she approached the old cobbler and said “I don’t
understand. Why?”
He smiled gently as the children ran happily across the
field. “I’m kinda like God’s money manager.
I try and act as a faithful steward of the many gifts He lets me borrow.”
A few weeks later, Emma saw one of the families from the
now-familiar ghetto entering her church.
The mother was wearing brand new shoes; the father and their children
wore the shoes Joe hand-crafted for them. Emma smiled, savoring the cold floor beneath
her bare feet.
Friends, our possessions are to be used not merely for our own
enjoyment but for the benefit of the world around us. So go ahead, unclench your fist. Open your hand. Become the conduit of God’s love that
expresses itself in serving others.
Lord Jesus, help us who have received so
freely from You to give as freely in return, and so have the pleasure of giving
as well as the happiness of receiving.
Amen
