Emphasis Preaching Journal

The man had come to this church before. The pastor recognized him. He had called months ago, asking for money to tide him over "till he got his commission check." The pastor gave him $20, the usual "go away" money, lectured him on the cost of the cigarette he was smoking, and showed him the door. And he was back again. This time, the pastor stopped for a moment and listened to the fellow's tale of woe. It was a long one, and the pastor's experience had taught him that long stories were less likely to be true than short ones, but he listened anyway. The man clearly needed more than money.