Do You Have Money For The Boots?

This weekend I was at the United Methodist Men's Meeting for the Detroit Conference. It was a great meeting in Utica, especially the week after going to the United Methodist Women's Meeting in Saginaw last weekend to represent as a US-2. I woud like to just share a story that the speaker, Pastor Dave Gerber shared with the men.

Pastor Gerber:
Pastor Gerber was working with a church in Nevada and a man sleeping on the street came up to him, knowing that Gerber worked with the church, and explained that he needed a pair of boots for a job that he had just received. Gerber was more than willing to lobby the pastor to see if the church would buy the boots for the man. However, the pastor said no, they did not have the money. Gerber explained how very mad he was with the situation, that a congregation of nearly 450 was unable to come up with the money to purchase a pair of boots.
     Fuming from the encounter Gerber went for a drive. Gerber describes the frustration with a church that was unwilling to help a man in need, church that is so stuck-up and so self-centered. It was around this time at the climax of anger that Gerber feels he heard from God. The voice is asking, "do you have money for the boots?" In that moment Gerber mut answer, "yes." 
     
There was a little more to the story, of how Gerber bought the boots and actually formed a caring relationship with the man and the two have become good friends. But the point that Gerber was attempting to make was that he expected the church to act, he expected the church to give the money. However, he completely overlooked the fact that he was a part of the church. He was frustrated with the church's inaction, but didn't recognize his own apathy! WE are the church, let us not blame the church for our own complacency. "So be a person that cares for people" -Pastor Gerber

Hope you are having a great Saturday!