“Father, make me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me.” —Jim Elliot (missionary and martyr for Christ)
These words of Jim resonate deeply with me. Every now and then, as I journey along this road, I encounter a man (or a sermon or book) that is entirely different from the rest. Upon knowing these men, or hearing these great messages, I realize I am now presented with a great dilemma in my life. I realize that I have not simply encountered another milepost on the path; I am a traveler who has been confronted with Christ, and now finds himself standing at a great fork in the road, facing a decision that will greatly impact the trajectory of my entire life.
I find myself standing at one of those forks in the road today, after having recently completed the biography of George Muller by A.T Pierson.
George Muller (1805–1898) was born in Prussia and as a young man lived very rebelliously. Let’s just say that he excelled at being a misfit and criminal. But upon encountering Christ at a small Bible study one evening, while he was still in his twenties, he repented of his sins and dedicated the rest of his life to the service of Christ.
Muller’s life has become well known because of his work with orphans. He founded 5 large orphanages on Ashley Downs in Bristol, England and became a father to more than 10,000 poor and destitute children over the course of his lifetime. He also founded the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, which distributed Bibles and aided missionaries across the world. Surprisingly, though, neither the orphanages nor the institution was the primary work God had put on Muller’s heart, or what he has become most known for.
The passion that burned deep in his heart was very simple: he wanted all men to know that God can be taken at His word. He wanted men to know that God is faithful to the promises He has made, and that wherever He guides – He also provides. Muller’s burning desire was to become a living example of God’s faithful provision. The orphanages and the institution were only the means to that end.
Muller’s faith was simple – childlike in nature. He read the word of God and believed what it said. He did not rationalize it. He did not bend and twist the word to accommodate the age he lived in. He did not ask himself if it was “realistic” to actually live in such a manner. He was a man that saw certain “promises” had been made within the word – and, just like a child would, he expected his Father to deliver.
His childlike faith led him to some deep biblical convictions, specifically about money. Convictions that I think today may be considered controversial by many. He did not believe in storing up treasures on Earth. He did not believe in debt. And perhaps what many of God’s workers today would consider to be most extreme, he did not believe in soliciting donations of any kind. He wouldn’t even ask for money in those backdoor and indirect kinds of ways. To Muller, the thought of a child of God having to solicit funds for work that God had called him to do could not be fathomed. He once said:
“I have always seen it as a dishonor to the Lord to be begging for money. Why should I go to man for support, when I can go to the living God who owns all things? My heart’s desire is that every provision for the orphan work might be seen to come directly from Him, so that His faithfulness and goodness may be fully evident to all.”
For a child of God to go to the unbeliever and the world [banks] for money, he considered to be even more preposterous:
“To ask unbelievers for money is dishonoring to God. Why should we look to the world for aid, as though the Lord were unable or unwilling to supply all we need … If the work be of God, He will surely provide the means. But for the believer to go to the world and ask for help is, I believe, a denial of God’s love and power.”
When Muller had a need – whether personal or ministry related – there were only two things for him to do: pray … and wait! That’s it, nothing else.
If we were to put Muller’s strategy into today’s world … No 401ks or long-term investment strategies. No banks. No car loans. No mortgages. No charity golf tournaments. No galas with high-profile speakers. No auctions. No dedicated staff to manage complex fundraising campaigns. These things he considered an offense to the God He saw on the pages of Scripture. He saw the hypocrisy behind a church that, as he stated it, “professes to believe in a God with infinite resources, yet begs from men as though God were poor.” In light of these strong convictions, Muller chose a different path. A much narrower path, with far fewer travelers. He trusted God, and God alone!
But did Muller’s approach work? Did God answer these prayers? I think you know the answer …
One of the most well-known accounts from his journals tells of a morning when there was no food left in the pantry for breakfast and no money left to buy more. With hundreds of hungry children needing to be fed, Muller gathered them together to pray and thank God for the breakfast that was nowhere in sight. Within moments of his amen, there was a knock at the door from the local baker to donate fresh bread to the orphans. Moments after the baker left came another knock at the door – the milkman’s cart had broken down outside the orphanage. Rather than let the milk spoil, he donated it to the children.
I can’t help but wonder what happened to the faith of those children that morning? I wonder what the kitchen staff thought as they saw yet another prayer answered by this God that Muller kept speaking of?
Now, lest we deceive ourselves into thinking God provides only for the small stuff, like milk and bread, we should probably consider the scope of his ministry and the larger provisions as well …
One of the largest examples of God’s provision came in 1845 when the currently rented facilities for the orphans had become overcrowded. New facilities would need to be built, and God had placed a major construction project (costing well into the seven figures by today’s standard) on Muller’s heart. Muller held firm to his beliefs and decided it was no different than funding milk and bread; he would pray … and wait! Once again – God provided! Muller’s journals show the entire project was funded with no delays.
Speaking of his journals, Muller knew that the only way he could truly become a living example of God’s provision was to keep meticulous records. And that he did. His journals have become the linchpin of his life and testimony. He recorded every single need of the ministry and every single donation that came in over the course of his 60+ years of service; thousands of journal entries show a ministry that received and distributed funds that would have equated to approximately 195 million dollars by today’s standard. In 1875 alone, he was overseeing 2,000 orphans and had ongoing costs that today would equate to several million dollars annually. This wasn’t just about milk and bread.
What are we to do with a man like George Muller? As I personally reflect on his life and testimony, I keep hearing the words of A.W Tozer ringing in my ears: “Every man is as close to God as he wants to be.” I am certain that was the greatest prize of Muller’s life; he was a man who knew God in a way that very few men do.
And I think that’s the question I now face: How much of God do I want? How close to Him do I want to be? Will I read Muller’s story and simply be “encouraged” by it? Will I finish the last chapter and thoughtlessly reach for the next book, as if I had just encountered a common man? Will I, as Jim Elliott would have said, view Muller as a milepost on a single road?
Or will I be honest with myself and admit that I have confronted Christ in Muller? That I now find myself standing at a fork in the road – facing a great dilemma! How much of God do I want? How narrow of a road am I willing to travel?
Would love to know your thoughts!
18 Responses
Really enjoyed your article about George Muller- his story is an amazing challenge- how do we reflect Jesus each and every day , each encounter with others ? The source of strength found in faith, prayer & patience is our platform for improved Christian life. Thank you!
Pat, you are very welcome!! Thank you so much for taking the time to give feedback. Keep pressing forward!! See ya in next months issue, Mike
Your writing is on point. It saddens me to know that these children are being denied the opportunity to know God as part of their everyday life. Many of them are a product of lust, not love. They were a casual one night stand and they need to know that their heavenly father will never leave them. To take the bible and its teachings out of school removes basic morals and values from being taught.
I am just an everyday sinner trying to do what pleases God, but fall short always. I am thankful that I have known Jesus all of my life. My childhood was hard. My mother instilled in us that Jesus will never leave us and will provide. As a single mom with 6 children she relied on her heavenly Father to provide and he did. Please continue to share your writings with the world.
Mary… thank you so much for reading and taking the time to give feedback!! Sounds like the Lord gave you with a wonderful mother…what a blessing!!! Can’t imagine what that must have been like to be a single mom with 6 children. I bet she learned to walk in something of a faith like Muller!!! Blessings to you. See ya in next months issue, Mike
The best to you Mike! We need more people like you to not only spread the Word but actively live and breathe it too!
Amazing article! Please keep writing and publishing everywhere!!!
Blessings to you
JoEllen… thank you for taking the time to read and comment. That really means a lot. And Lord willing…I will continue to do just as you have said!!! See ya in next months issue, Mike
“The Fork in the Road” appeared in the most recent hard copy of Living Magazine. George Muller’s life, framed by Jim Elliot’s quote, puts the sharpest point on our brief earthly existence. How ironic the magazine page immediately following your article featured photos of an $8M home with the subtitle, “Are You Ready to Make Your Dreams Come True?” What will I pursue–vision or dream?
Dale… thank you for this awesome feedback and taking the time to read. I haven’t received my copy of the magazine yet but I do think your observation on the next page sounds a bit ironic. I kinda love that it is their for the reader to see the immediate contrast of the messages!! See ya in next months issue, Mike
As a former native of Cleveland, Ohio moving to Texas for warmer weather and to be closer to my cousins and extended family was a benefit yet finding a good church was hard until I met up with the late Dr Howard Hendricks. For the past 18 years I went to hear Dr Charles Swindoll until he retired at the age of 90. I must say probably within the past three (3) years I looked forward to reading your published articles in Living Magazine Mike Mazyck. Do you have a church or do you deliver weekly sermons at all in the DFW area?.
Hey Brother Charles…. first , thank you so much for taking the time to read, and especially for sending me some wonderful positive feedback. The burden of my heart is to be in ministry full-time. Right now I am in a bit of a transition phase. I do hope to one day be delivering regular messages/sermons in some capacity but right now I spend my days running a residential real estate brokerage here in the DFW area, writing Kingdom based articles, and doing other projects for the Lord. Currently, my family and I attend Crosspoint Church in Rockwall. If you would ever like to check it out, let me know and I will save you a seat next to us!! See ya in next months issue!! Mike
Texas is trying to move closer to God! Praise the Lord. God Bless You, bob
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20 Nov, 2024 11:49
HomeWorld News
Texas set to introduce Bible lessons in elementary schools – WaPo
The state’s education board has supported the optional curriculum, which will need to pass a final vote before being approved
Texas set to introduce Bible lessons in elementary schools – WaPo
FILE PHOTO. © Getty Images / Yellow Dog Productions
Education officials in Texas have voted to move forward with approving an optional elementary school curriculum that would include lessons based on the Bible, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday, citing education and advocacy groups.
The proposed lessons were developed by the Texas Education Agency earlier this year after Governor Greg Abbot ordered the department to create a statewide curriculum that would be used in schools after being approved by the state’s education board.
The governor has publicly supported the curriculum, arguing that it would allow Texas students to “better understand the connection of history, art, community, literature, and religion on pivotal events like the signing of the US Constitution, the Civil Rights Movement, and the American Revolution.”
On Tuesday, the Texas education board, which consists of four Democrats and 11 Republicans, voted 8-7 to move forward with approving the curriculum. The proposal was opposed by all the Democratic members as well as three Republicans. The board members are now set to take a final vote on Friday.
If approved, Texas school districts will have the option to adopt the curriculum starting in August 2025, with those who choose to do so becoming eligible for an incentive payment of $60 per student, according to the Washington Post.
US court rules Ten Commandments law ‘unconstitutional’
Read more US court rules Ten Commandments law ‘unconstitutional’
The potential introduction of Bible lessons in Texas schools has become a point of contention among advocacy groups in the state. Some, like the Texas Values nonprofit, have hailed the curriculum as a victory for First Amendment rights.
“The Bible has had a colossal impact on the Western world in art, history, and literature that cannot be ignored,” a spokesperson for the group said in a statement. “Banning the Bible in the classroom would not just deny students their liberty but also take away an opportunity for a well-rounded education.”
Others, however, have condemned the proposal, arguing that it unnecessarily introduces religious concepts into schools and unfairly promotes Christian beliefs.
In a statement quoted by the Washington Post, the Texas American Federation of Teachers, a union representing school employees in the state, also suggested that the introduction of the curriculum “violates the separation of church and state” and would lead to “the erasure of contributions of marginalized populations in social studies or the minimalization of climate change in science.”
Mr. Muller has found the KEY for all his needs and wants for the children that he takes care of.
He has a close relationship with his farther who has made all things in this world and looks after the needs of his children.
couldn’t agree more Raymond!! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment!!!
Mike from bob coker
I appreciate your message very much. I felt joy and happiness and the love of Jesus.
Marlene… not sure there could be a better report for me to hear. Thank you!!!
With tears in my eyes as I write, I send you a world of thanks for this article.
oh wow!!…this means a lot. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I will be praying that God continues to speak to you on this subject! Keep pressing forward sister!! Mike