A Businessman’s Surprise

Steve attended an evangelistic series of meetings. Though his wife was a Sabbath-keeper, and faithful Christian; while respectful to her, Steve was preoccupied running his business. While at the meetings, he heard a stirring message on the importance of Sabbath- keeping. Though deeply impressed with the soundness and logic of the message, Steve could not see his way to obey this commandment.

Surely the Lord can overlook the negligence of one. But the text rang clearly in his ears: “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).

How in the world would it be possible to keep the Sabbath? The recent typhoon had wreaked havoc on his boats, storage garage, and equipment. He was having problems paying his creditors, and to keep the Sabbath would demand canceling thirteen contracts with the beach hotels that rented his sports equipment—his bread and butter. This move would cause his financial demise, or so he thought.

But conviction lingered, so he decided to speak with the evangelist. One day, the evangelist visited him at his office.

Steve presented his ordeal and insurmountable challenges. After listening, the speaker responded, “If you will put your trust in God, He will never let you down.

God has promised, and he will be true to his word.” “But it will take me some time to get out of the contracts,” Steve replied, “First, I need to make sure that I can get some other company to fill my place.

I don’t think it would be right just to drop my customers without providing them a back up.” Nevertheless, Steve decided to place his trust in the word of the preacher, so he went ahead and was baptized. Steve was amazed by what happened next. He was able to get out of his contracts that had weekend obligations.

Then, in keeping with the commandment, he kept the Sabbath. Two years later, Steve called the pastor and said, “I took you at your word and everything you said was true.

Prior to my commitment to God, I could never keep up with my debts. In the last two years I have paid off more than two million dollars. My business is secure, and I am far better financially set than in all my previous business experience. Thank you, pastor, for encouraging me to trust in the Lord.

He is faithful.”