Editor’s Desk

By CLAIM director Carl Vonnoh

Attorney David Gibbs spoke at our church, Calvary Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on August 8, 2004. Our pastor is Brother Steve Roberson.  Attorney Gibbs spoke from Nehemiah 4.  He used the speech of Sanballat as the text for his message.  The second point came from verse two--”Will they sacrifice themselves in faith?”

Attorney Gibbs reminded us that we are stewards of what we have and not owners.  A good steward manages what is in his keeping on behalf of his boss.  In our case as Christians we are to manage what is in our care on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is not “my time, my house, my 401 K, my life...”  No, we belong to the Lord and we are His.  All the good things we have belong to the Lord and we are His stewards.  The song says, “Now I belong to Jesus.”

The following illustration was given by Brother Gibbs:

 

As he prepared to board a brand new plane, an announcement was made.  “Since this is the inauguration flight of this new plane we are giving everyone on board 500 bonus points for flying today.” He boarded the plane.  Looking at the tiny seats Attorney Gibbs complained to a flight attendant, “These are the puniest seats I have ever seen.”  She replied, “You could lose some weight, you know.”  To that comment he sharply retorted, “Lady, you are the most cosmetically challenged person I have ever seen.”  The flight attendant broke down and started crying.

 

He started to put his coat in the over head compartment and a tract slipped out of his pocket.  Mr. Gibbs said it was if the Lord said to his heart, “This would probably not be a good time to give that lady a tract.”  Being convicted of his sin he went to the lady.  The flight attendant was still crying as she huddled together with a couple of other flight attendants.  Attorney Gibbs said to the lady, “May I speak with you?”  She replied, “I have heard enough from you already.”  He said, “I want to apologize to you and ask you to forgive me.”  The flight attendant said, “You want me to forgive you?  I have been a flight attendant for 22 years and no one has ever asked me to forgive them.”  Brother Gibbs further commented, “Please read this tract.  Do not hold it against me for what I said.”  Two other attendants asked for tract, also.

As Mr. Gibbs was leaving the plane the Captain asked the flight attendant, “Is he the one?”  Attorney Gibbs thought he was in trouble.  The Captain said, “I am a Christian and I appreciate you doing the right thing in apologizing to the flight attendant.  Many Christians fly with us but not many act like Christians.

  

Let’s return back to Nehemiah and the comments of Sanballat.  He said, “...Will they sacrifice?”  This is a good question for you and me today.  “Will we sacrifice?”  Will you give of your time to help on a CLAIM project?  You are needed now.  Please pray about going on a trip to help with the work of the Lord.  Then act on that prayer.  You are needed NOW!