Sunday, March 3, 2002
Sunday, March 3, 2002
In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the
weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give
than to receive.' "
But one day, Sergio's office began investigating an illegal store that was operating in the
poorest section of Juarez. The city dump was home to hundreds of Juarez's poorest citizens.
They scrounged among the garbage each day in order to find enough food to survive. To
Sergio's surprise, one of the people in charge of the illegal store was a friend of Lucia's, a
wealthy and prominent woman named Guillermina. Guillermina explained to Sergio that the
"store" bought food at regular prices, then gave it to the dumpster citizens for free. She called
their enterprise, "the Lord's Store." Since the store wasn't charging any money, it was
technically legal. But Sergio insisted that Guillermina send him a weekly report, so he could
keep an eye on their activities.
The next week, Sergio and Lucia visited a prayer meeting of others involved in the Lord's
Store. They learned of the intense poverty of the people in this part of town. And they learned
of the believers who worked together to provide for the dumpster people. One day Sergio and
Lucia got the opportunity to see the dump for themselves. Their hearts were moved by the
sight of a starving girl eating a dirty, moldy orange that she had fished out of the garbage. God
began working in Sergio and Lucia's hearts.
Lucia and Sergio began looking at their possessions through different eyes. They began to
give away or sell off their luxurious possessions so that they could donate more money to the
mission's work. With each sacrifice, they realized that they were happier and more fulfilled
than ever. Finally one day, Sergio and Lucia were down to their last three dollars. This they
gave in an offering to the Lord's Store. God repaid their giving abundantly, for that very day
they received a call from a man who had owed Sergio a great debt for a long time. He wanted
to pay him back in full.
For the next twenty years, Sergio Varela served as the manager for the Lord's Store. When
he retired from that position, he opened a law practice. He often represents poor clients for
free. In all these years, Sergio and Lucia have always had their needs met. They have never
gone hungry. They have never had to worry. God has always provided for them, sometimes
just in time. And Lucia and Sergio no longer desire fancy trinkets or luxuries. They have
found something so much better.
(Acts 20.35
NRSV)
Sergio Varela delighted in giving his wife, Lucia, expensive trinkets and knick-knacks. It wasn't
just the sparkle in her eyes that satisfied him. No, there was a deeper reason why Sergio and
his wife surrounded themselves with nice things. Sergio was running from his past. Lucia had
been raised in a wealthy family, and was used to nice things, but Sergio had grown up in
poverty. For years he had slaved away at two jobs while attending college and law school.
Now, he held the prestigious job of chief tax collector in their city of Juarez, Mexico. He and
Lucia surrounded themselves with all the luxuries they could afford. And Sergio tried to forget
that he had ever been poor.
Loving God, may I be a good manager of your store. Amen.
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