I remember that when I left my job to become a full-time pastor, I put some money in the bank, from my pension capital. I figured that if my story Ministry did not work, at least I'd have a nest egg which fall back. One day, a friend who was also in the Ministry entered my office and said, "Pastor, I do not know what I'll do. The engine of my car just exploded and I have no money. I do not even know how I'll go to church.
I knew that his need was legitimate and I also knew that I had enough money in the bank to buy him a car. Yet, suddenly, I felt very, very spiritual and I said, "Let us pray. God feeds the animals on a thousand hills, so He will be able to provide. David said: "I have been young, and now am old; And I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread "(Psalm 37:25).
While he was there, sitting opposite me on the other side of the desk, I put my head down and started to pray - but it was as if my mouth was full of peanut butter. I could hardly pray because during all this time, I heard this little voice saying to me: "Hypocrite! If anyone sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God he remains in him? "(See 1 John 3:17). I kept trying to silence that little voice while praying until I eventually surrender and say, "I have money aside if you need it."
So I ended up buying her a new car. Shortly after, the engine of my car broke down and, at that time, I said, "Well, Lord, I have obeyed. That's all I can say. "
Later, we were renovating a church we had bought in the country. I was on the scaffolding, currently helping to repaint the ceiling when someone came and told me: "You have an urgent call!" When I picked up the phone, the man on the phone introduced himself as a local car salesman. Then he said: "A man came this morning and bought you a new car. All you have to do is to come and sign! "I asked him the identity of the person, but he said he had chosen to remain anonymous.
I understand you do not say that if you buy a car to a friend, you shall have a brand new in return. What I am saying is that when we do things in God's way, refusing to be insensitive to a real need that we see, God will provide and He will meet our needs.
Carter Conlon joined the pastoral team of Times Square Church in 1994, at the invitation of founding pastor David Wilkerson. He was appointed Senior Pastor in 2001. This is a strong and full charge of compassion that is a frequent speaker at the Expect Church Leadership Conferences conducted by World Challenge worldwide.