This Is A Way To Help Themselves

Clarence Jordan, a philosopher-farmer in Americus, Georgia, was convinced that poor people living in dilapidated shacks could improve themselves with a little support. “They don’t need charity,” he said to Millard Fuller, who visited Jordan’s church community, Koinonia Farm. “They need a way to help themselves.”

Millard Fuller, thirty, who was nearly a millionaire, was inspired by Jordan to begin what today is a worldwide organization to provide housing for the poor. Habitat for Humanity runs on what he calls “the theology of the hammer.” The group raises money and recruits volunteers to renovate and build homes, which are sold at cost. Mortgages are interest free to qualified recipients. Habitat now builds or renovates twelve houses every day.

 — Ward Williams, 
“Jesus’ Vacation,” PreachingToday.com

Anyone Can Be Generous

"NBC Nightly News" carried the story of the retirement of an unusual volunteer at Pittsburg Children's Hospital. His name is Albert Lexie. Lexie shined shoes there two days a week, but there is a lot more to the story. Lexie had been shining the shoes since 1981. He only charged $5, but said anything more than that amount was given to a free care fund at the hospital for people who can't pay their bills. His first year, Albert donated $750. That rose to more than $11,000 in 2012. In all, he donated more than $200,000. Albert served in a humble way, using his particular gift, which reaped great rewards for others. On the day of his retirement, there were news cameras, applause and many tears.

- The Daily Nightly (December 18, 2013)