The more the merrier

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit;so you will be my desiples."  John 15:8

Have you ever known two friends who loved each other a lot, yet competed to everthing? I have friends like that. They do everything the same and if one person got one thing, the other had to have it too. There weren't many arguments between them; they just likes being equal!

Then they joined Girl Souts, together, of course. Both of them did well on every single project. But you know what's coming, don't you? Cookies!

The scouts were asked to sell cookies to help pay for their uniforms and things. But there were some extra incentives. Selling a certian number of boxes earned you a T-shirt (big whoop!). A few more boxes got you a Game Box (a little better). Eventually, you could actually earn a new bike or a cool stereo system. (wow!)

My friends soon became cookie-selling fanatics.

The real prize

But something sad happened. One of the girls went out to sell cookies in the rain, determined to reach her goal, and she got the flu. She had to spend the final two weekends of sales laid up in bed. There was no way she could earn any of there really good prizes. Her body was ailing but her spirit sank even lower.

Weeks later, the scouts had their award ceremony. The girl that gotten sick had gotten over the flu, but she coudn't get too excited about the ceremony. She hadn't wanted to earn the bike for herself; she wanted to give it to her dad. He worked two miles away and had to walk each way every day. She wanted to earm a boys bike and brighten his day a little, so he woudn't always be so tired.

At least she could be happy for her friend, who led the troop in sales. She'd sold more than five hundred boxes. She wanted a stereo so bad. The girl was exspecting to see a big stereo presented to her friend. But to her surprise, the troop leader rolled out an excellent blue bicycle. But her friend already had a bike, why hadn't she chosen the stereo?

"Stereos are cool," Her friend said as they walked home, "But I knew your dad needed a bike more that I needed music. Anyway, I couldn't have won anything if you hadn't talked me into joining the scouts. And I'd never have sold so many boxes if  hadn't been so determined to beat your total!"

They had a good laugh over that one. And you know what? I have to think the Lord was laughing right along with them, laughing for joy. He is pleased when we give uselfishly. He's also pleased when we do out best and get good results. The key word is much, as in John 15:8 ...that you bear much fruit."