A Lasting Gift
By Rev. Mark C. Gooden, Vice-President of Development 

Have you ever received a gift that made a lasting impact on you? I received one such gift in December 1983. I remember it well. It was a cold, blustery day with temperatures hovering in the 20’s. It was a good day to stay inside and drink hot chocolate. I lived close to the main road, and there was little to no traffic that morning, so I heard a familiar sound. It was Ed Johnson riding his motorcycle down East Valley Road. How did I know it was Ed’s motorcycle? Well, Ed had a certain way of riding his motorcycle. He would goose the throttle and let off the throttle repeatedly. His motorcycle sounded like a sick sewing machine. Everyone knew when Ed was on the road!

Ed was in his seventies and lived with his mother in a three-room shack with dirt floors and a potbellied stove in the kitchen. Ed wasn’t able to attend school past the 8th grade because he had to go to work to help support his family. Yet, Ed was always joy-filled! He loved Jesus and was always willing to help others out. Ed was proud that he had not missed Sunday School or church in 40 years! What a wonderful witness for Christ.

I heard this “sewing machine” on two wheels that he called a motorcycle pull into the driveway. There was a knock on the door, and there was Ed with his riding outfit: an old leather football helmet, work gloves, plastic goggles, and scarf his mama made for him. I urged Ed to come in out of the cold and get warm. He said: “Nah Preacher, I gotta git back to the house to watch the fire so mama can stay warm. But I brung you somethin’.”  He fumbled around in his pocket and pulled out a belt buckle, which was u-shaped and interlaced with plastic ruby-colored stones. Inside the horseshoe was an oval-shaped picture of a horse. Ed handed me this belt buckle and said, “Preacher, God wanted me to give this to you, and here you go. I want to thank you for being my pastor and teaching me about Jesus.” I started to protest: “But Ed, you don’t have another belt buckle–this is the one you always wear. I can’t take this.” Smiling from ear to ear, Ed said, “I want you to have it.”

Ed got on his bike, strapped on his leather football helmet, fixed his plastic goggles, put on his work gloves, wrapped his scarf tightly around his neck, started his motorcycle, and said above the noise: “See you Sunday, Preacher. Love you!” Then Ed returned the way he had come, making that familiar herky-jerky sound down the road. I have kept that belt buckle with me for 41 years because Ed’s generous gift made such a lasting impact on me. Ed taught me more about Jesus than I ever could teach him. He taught me:

  • You give with no expectations.
  • You give your best, not something left over.
  • You give, knowing God will also provide for your needs.
  • You give grinning from ear to ear.
  • You give in obedience to God.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian church “Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7 CEB).

Ed decided what he wanted to give me and did so cheerfully. I still see Ed standing at my door, grinning ear to ear. You must understand Ed was the kind of person who helped others even if he had to go without.

Why did he give so freely, generously, and cheerfully? Ed trusted, relied, and leaned on God to provide him with what he needed. Ed had lived his life depending on God. Although Ed was poor, he was rich in faith.

As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:8: “God has the power to provide you with more than enough. . .That way, you will have everything you need always in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work.” Ed believed that and lived a life of cheerful generosity. This gift, insignificant to most and scoffed at by many, had a deep and lasting impact on me.

In this season of giving, how might you cheerfully make a lasting impact on others? God nudged Ed to gift the belt buckle, and Ed responded to the gracious leading of God. Where is God nudging you to give generously without hesitation? Do you believe God will provide you enough to help others have enough? Have you remembered your church in your will? Do you have a special ministry you would like to fund through a legacy gift that will continue to make an impact long after you’re gone? Is there a ministry you could fund before the year ends through creative giving options like stocks, bonds, or other assets? You can cheerfully give as directed by God and possibly even save on taxes (which will make your experience even merrier).

I would be happy to dream with you or talk about ways to give generously and make a lasting impact on your favorite ministry or local church. Please email me at mgooden@holstonfoundation.org or call me at 865-690-8124.