If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” Luke 16:10
Puff Graham. Those two words changed our world. Many of us have heard of and admired Billy Graham. He was a country boy who later became one of the world’s most renowned preachers. His passion and love for God and people drew millions of people to hear what he had to say. His message was simple—God loves you and he made it clear that if a person was willing to ask, God would forgive them and give them a home with Him in heaven.
Many books and plenty of documentaries have been written and made about Dr. Graham but one fact that amazes me is little known. It was 1949 and he was out in Los Angeles conducting a series of revival meetings. The crowds were good and the results incredible and the meetings when on for several weeks. Slowly, though, the meetings seemed to be losing momentum and I’m sure it crossed Billy Graham’s mind if it was time to move on. About that time something happened.
One evening, as he approached the tent where the meeting was being held, he was amazed to find the largest crowd ever. He wondered what had happened. Well, what had happened was a two-word directive from publisher William Randolph Hearst. The directive simply said, “Puff Graham.” The directive ordered all of Hearst’s vast media holdings to start promoting the young evangelist. Almost overnight, Billy Graham attained “celebrity” status.
I suppose it would have been tempting for Dr. Graham to use that to promote himself but no…he used it only to promote the One he loved. It is interesting that according to Dr. Graham, he really had no relationship with Hearst. There was no real reason for this to happen except for one…the providence and sovereignty of God. I believe God honored Billy Graham for his character and integrity. He knew He could trust the young evangelist with success. You see, the truth of the matter is riches are harder to handle than poverty and success is harder to handle than failure.
If we want God to bless us more then we need to be ready and able to handle those blessings. The One who made us knows if we are ready to be “puffed” or not. Jesus said, “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” The story is told of a young man applying for a job. After the interview, he and the man doing the interview went to the cafe for lunch. The young man was first in line and the other man watch as he got a pat of butter and slipped it under his napkin so he wouldn’t be charged for it. Well, he wasn’t charged, nor did he get the job.
“Puff Graham.” Two words that tell a big, big story. Let’s be sure and be the kind of people that God can do whatever He wants in our lives. Let’s live worthy of being “puffed” however that looks and whatever that means. But let’s also be the kind of people who are willing to promote others. Let’s look for opportunities to lift someone…even if it means not promoting ourselves. One thing is certain. We can trust God to do what is best for us and what is best for His Kingdom. We can rest assured that, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 