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Moe wasn't always so nice. He used to be a shrewd businessman, calculating profit in every business move. He didn't care that his developments tore down long-standing neighborhoods. He didn't care that new tenants paid three times more than what they used to. He wanted money, power, and status. Moe wanted it all.

Moe didn't believe in religion, but his business manager had convinced him that making contributions to strategic charities and organizations would increase his status in the small community. "You don't have to do anything, just give," he was told. And give he did. One million dollars to a service organization and one million dollars to a church recovering from a fire. Done. He didn't have to think about it anymore.

Until Paula stood on his doorstep. Paula was a young businesswoman in the community and a member of the church where Moe had donated so much. Moe's manager allowed her to come in. This wouldn't take long.

Paula got right to the point. What had convinced him to give to their church? Why that church and not another one that was suffering from flood damage? Was this money from a legitimate source? What did he gain from it?

Moe smiled. Paula was a lot like Moe's younger brother, so trusting, so innocently asking for the truth. But there was something about Paula's manner that wouldn't allow Moe to brush her off so easily. He invited her to stay for lunch.

Over shrimp cocktails, Moe explained that, off the record, he had been attracted to the church because it was downtown, had the most exposure, and would give him in turn the most coverage for his donation. It made him feel good to be able to give such a big amount. It would give him more status in the community.

Paula stared at him. She didn't understand. Moe tried to let her see his side of life. Money, power, control, prestige. That was important in his life. Wasn't that simple enough?

After that long lunch and several meetings, Paula and Moe became fast friends. With her gentle manner, she was able to persuade Moe to come and see the rebuilding progress. With her kindness, she was able to ask Moe what his future intentions were with his money, power, and prestige.

Their friendship deepened and Moe was best man in Paula's wedding. He attended her son's baptism. Soon it was time for the dedication of the building. The pastor came to visit and asked Moe point-blank if he would share his testimony from the pulpit.

Testimony? Moe wondered what that meant for him. The story about the acquisition of all his money? The story of developing large portions of town? "No," the pastor said. "We want to know how you have been changed since you have come to know Christ." Moe was confused. "You don't understand," he said. "I don't know Christ."

"Oh, you will. You'll come to that point pretty soon. I'm sure of it." The pastor sounded so convinced. He left Moe and reminded him that he was due to speak two Sundays from now. Pastor handed Moe a copy of the New Testament to read. "This can be your starting point if you feel the need to do some research for your talk."

Moe looked at the Bible with sticky notes poking out. He was intrigued. He took it upstairs with him. He could spare some time before he turned in for the night. He'd start with the sticky notes.

John 3:16; Matthew 18:20; various Psalms; Jeremiah 29:11. Text after text spoke to Moe. Could it be that the book was speaking to him directly? He wondered as he turned off the light. But he couldn't sleep and he soon turned on the light again and continued reading.

Passage after marked passage caught his attention. He read it like stories, but something was not right. What did this mean to him? How did this apply to his life now? He felt his heart change.

That night was the beginning of Moe's faith life. He visited with the pastor several times and turned his life to Christ. When it came time to give his testimony, it included the knowledge that although he still wanted material things, Moe's life had taken on a new twist. He still wanted money, but this time it would be to give to worthy causes. A new tenement housing project would house the people displaced by his development projects. A new gymnasium in town would help the children have a place to go after school. The flooded church just outside of town could use a new fellowship hall.

He had changed. Moe had felt a call to do something for the good of others. He had felt something deep down in his soul. And he was going to do something about it!