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October 1, 2007
Short Stories on Stewardship: Sam Houston's Wet Wallet
Jerry Mixon is the State Stewardship Director for the Mississippi Baptist Convention. He served as a local pastor for 32 years, five years as a full-time evangelist and is a well-known writer. He has authored two books: Off the Main Road and Along the Way Home.
His ability to spin a story impressed me. So I asked him what would he tell himself about stewardship--knowing what he knows now--if he could go back in time to when he began his ministry? He has done so through four short stories I'll share with you this week.
Be sure to mention these to those pastors you know who are just beginning their ministry. While stewardship can be an uncomfortable subject, new (and experienced) pastors simply can't afford to ignore it.
Sam Houston's Wet Wallet
Paul Powell tells the story of the baptism of General Sam Houston in his book, Taking the Stew Out of Stewardship. Just before he was baptized, the pastor asked Sam to remove his watch so it would not get wet. “Thank you, I will,” Houston replied. Then the pastor instructed the General to also remove his wallet. Sam Houston replied, “No, I believe not, pastor. I’m afraid it needs baptizing, too.”
In my first little country church I was fearful if I preached about money, my congregation would get mad. If I announced it, they would not come to church at all. The truth is, some did get angry and some did not come to church when I preached on tithing. However, over the years I learned that I could not be a prisoner of those fears. I was not afraid to speak on hell, witnessing, discipleship, dedication, salvation, baptism, or any other subjects. I would attack each subject, even rattling the gates of hell. I was not concerned with what anyone thought. I noticed that for me it was only dealing with the subject of money that made me fearful.
Thank goodness God helped me to overcome that fear. It happened when we were raising money for a church project that God used an old deacon to help me. One day he said, “Preacher, don’t worry about asking people for money. They know how to protect their wallets. If you don’t ask them to give, you will rob them of a blessing.” That one little statement gave me freedom. I never again apologized for asking people to give. The truth is that giving is really a reflection of our salvation. Sam Houston’s wet wallet became a personal testimony of his commitment to Jesus Christ. Thereafter he paid one-half of the pastors’ salaries and financially helped ministerial students at Baylor University so long as he lived. After his baptism Houston was told that his sins had all been washed away. Sam Houston replied, “God help all the fishes.”
Posted by bstroup at October 1, 2007 1:05 AM
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