One particular brother was not too well educated, and his manner was rather rough and crude. He had become a Christian and was boiling with enthusiasm to be of some genuine service to the Master. The elders handed him a list of 10 names with this explanation: “These men are all members of the church, but they seldom attend the services. Some of them are prominent men of the city. Contact them any way you can. Here is some church stationery you may use to write them letters. Get them back to services!”

The man accepted the challenge with rugged determination. In about three weeks a letter came to the church from a prominent physician in the city whose name had been on the list. Inside the letter was a $1000 check and this note: “Dear Preacher: Enclosed is my check to make-up my missing contribution for the past several weeks. I am sorry for missing worship, but be assured that I will be present this Lord’s Day and every Lord’s Day following. I won’t miss worship again if I can help it. PS: Would you please tell your secretary that there is one “t” in “dirty” and no ‘c” in “skunk”!”

Perhaps some of us have not be telling-it-like-it-is often enough in the past! The direct approach is usually the best, and while our “speech is to be seasoned with salt” (Col.4:6), sometimes a cupful of salt water is needed!

– by Gary Fiscus