A prosperous member of a church in Scotland had been besought
often by his pastor to give to the work of evangelizing the poor
in Glasgow, but would always reply: “Na, I need it for mysel’.”
One night he dreamed that he was at the gate of heaven, which
was only a few inches ajar. He tried to get in, but could not,
and was in agony at his poor prospect. Just then the face of
his minister appeared, who said: “Sandy, why stand ye glowering
there? Why don’t ye gae in?” “I can’t; I am too large, and my
pocketbook sticks out whichever way I turn.” “Sandy,” replied
the minister, “think how mean ye have been to the Lord’s poor,
and ye will be small enough to go through the eye of a needle.”
Sandy awoke, and began to reduce both his pocketbook and his
meanness by generously lifting forward the cause of his Lord.
We may depend upon it that it is the lifters and not the leaners
who have the joy, and the peace, and the triumph of the Christian
life.--LOUIS ALBERT BANKS.
(1829)