“According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 drachmas of gold, 5,000 minas of silver and 100 priestly garments.” – Ezra 2:69

In the summer of 1959, Robert Hill was a 13-year-old boy living in Italy. His father was a sergeant in the United States Army and was stationed there. Robert had just read of Dr. Albert Schweitzer’s humanitarian works in Africa and he wanted to help him. Robert had only enough money to buy one bottle of aspirin. He didn’t even have enough money to mail it to the doctor. But Robert wrote a letter to the Commander of the Air Force in Italy asking if “one of your planes” could just drop the bottle at the hospital. The Commander was touched by Robert’s letter and passed it on to an Italian radio station. The station broadcast Robert’s letter on the air. Soon thousands wanted to give to Dr. Schweitzer’s work. In July 1959, Robert Hill flew to Africa with four and a half tons of medical supplies worth more than $400,000 carried in planes provided by the French and Italian Governments. There were a great many persons who wished to give “aspirin” for Dr. Schweitzer’s work. Dr. Schweitzer was touched by the display of compassion and said: “I never thought a child could do so much for my hospital.”

What is your ability to give? Today in prayer, thank the Lord for the opportunities He gives you to give to others for Christ’s glory.

“For it is in giving that we receive.” – Francis of Assisi

God’s Word: “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”- Acts 20:35

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2002, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER pkennedy@devotional.com