A Few Cents and the Smile of God

Years ago Louis Evans served as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Hollywood. In his congregation was a gifted surgeon. As a sensitive Christian he was alert to the working of God in his life. Repeatedly he sensed that God was calling him to the mission field .

After much inner struggle, he finally surrendered to the voice of God. He went to Korea, little known at that time…to set up medical missionary practice. His pastor, Dr. Evans, stopped off to visit him during a world tour.

On the day he arrived, his doctor friend was preparing himself for surgery on an eight-year-old child. Dr. Evans observed through a window in the small hut where the operation took place. The minutes turned into half hours, and the half hours turned into a total of almost three hours.

Finally he stepped back from the operating table of the makeshift surgery room and said, “She will be all right now,” leaving the child in the care of the national helpers. He went outside and joined his pastor. As they walked along Evans asked, “How much would you have received for that operation back in the States?” “Oh, $500 to $750 is the going rate, I guess.”

As they talked, his pastor observed that his lips were purple from the strain and his hands were shaking from the exacting labor and tension related to this delicate surgery. He said, “How much for this one?” “Oh, a few cents—a few cents and the smile of God.” And then the surgeon put his hand on Pastor Evans’ shoulder, shook it slightly, and added, “But man, this is living.” –J.

Daniel Baumann, An Introduction to Contemporary Preaching (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker, 1972,) 172-173.