Lesson 172: GOD SOLD THE COWS!

Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

 

There is a delightful story out of Texas.  The setting is on a struggling college campus during the school’s fledgling years of existence.  The story goes that the college was in dire straits financially and that the President of the college called for the Board of Directors to come in for a crisis meeting and strategy planning session.  Now the college was surrounded by pasture land with a sea of grazing cattle.  Their moos and bellows could be heard even in the classrooms.  As the President opened up the meeting with dismal news about the college’s state of affairs, he asked for prayers seeking God’s hand of deliverance.   The Board Chair, an Ordained Minister, began feverishly praying for God to intervene and to save the college that was so loved due to being a Christian based institution.

As the old parson petitioned God for assistance, the mooing of the cows became increasingly distracting and yielding to his impatience due to their constant demands, he ended the prayer with a statement asking God to do something with the cows.  The Board got off their knees and continued their meeting.  But as the meeting wore on it became increasingly apparent that nothing could be done unless the money was raised somehow.  The future of the college was indeed bleak.

While the board met, the receptionist received a visitor.  He was a rich land owner and cattleman from Dallas who had recently came into a large windfall of money.  Not knowing what to do with his good fortune, he decided to give it to an institution that he felt worthy of such an endowment and would use it wisely.  As he traveled, he noted this little college campus surrounded by a sea of cattle.  He felt led to go to the school and see if they could use such a sum.

The millionaire talked briefly to the receptionist and then pulled out his checking book and proceeded to write a check to the school.  The man placed it in an envelope and asked the receptionist to give it to the person in charge of finances and then walked out of the building. 

When the receptionist was called into the board room to bring something in, she remembered the envelope and took it to the president of the college.  While the Board Members continued their discussion, the President opened up the envelope and let out a gasp.  Everybody quit talking and looked in the direction of the President.   The President of the college swiftly jumped from his chair and exclaimed with a victory shout, “GOD SOLD THE COWS!”  For within the envelope from the rich cattleman was the exact amount of money needed for the college to become solid once again!  

God will do for you what you cannot do for yourself when we earnest seek His help.  He is the Creator of Love and rejoices when His child prospers.   In Philippians 4:19, the Bible states, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19).” God wants to bless you according to His riches.  And the closer you draw to Him the closer He draws nigh unto you.  He has demonstrated that in ancient times as well as modern times.  To Abraham He made the same promise.  Genesis 17: 1-2 states, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly."  In Hebrew, our God of Abundance is known as, ‘El Shaddai’.

Mark 11:24 also provides insight into God’s wish for you to prosper:  “Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”  Note it does not say you might have them.  God’s word states you WILL have them.  He is a God of His word and His word is holy.  Believe to receive!  Note in Exodus 15:26, the God says, “I am the Lord who heals you!”  It doesn’t get any better than this!   If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it!  The touch of the Master’s hands is overwhelming to me and at times my soul trembles with the joy of abundant love from my God of Abundance.

So the next time that you find yourself in dire straits, stop looking down at the ground and earthy things.  Look up while on your knees earnestly petitioning God for His abundance according to His riches.  And be getting prepared for the cows to be sold!  Is He not so wonderful?  Waiting for the cows to be sold, I am your obedient servant, The Old General