Some time ago I read about a man who has written many biographies. He noted that it was easy to find out what a man said and what he had done, but when it came to finding out what kind of man he really was, the biographer was up a stump. Then he discovered that the surest way to get the truth was to look at the stubs of old check books. What a man gives his money for — that tells the tale.

Why not stop before you read any further and get out your check book for the past year? What does it say about you? It might say:

1. "This man cares more about entertainment — football, hunting, fishing, golf, tennis and movies than he does the Lord.”

2. "This man cares more about his personal appearance — clothes, grooming, haircuts, etc.; than he does the church.”

3. "This man cares more about civic interests — clubs, community projects and the Red Cross than he does about the lost."

4. "This man cares more about vacations and traveling (Just look at those gas bills) than he does about the expansion of the Kingdom of God."

5. "This man cares more about temporal security — bonds, stocks and investments than he does about treasures in heaven."

Would you be ashamed if suddenly your checkbook began to blab the truth about you to all your friends and neighbors?

[The article above was written by G.K. Wallace (1903-1988). Brother Wallace lived and worked in the Tampa area for many years. He was the keynote speaker at the dedication ceremony of our newly constructed auditorium on Sunday, March 1, 1970.]

There is an interesting little insect called the Processionary Caterpillar. It was so named for its tendency to blindly follow the caterpillar in front of it. In a very unusual experiment, a group of theses little caterpillars was placed in a circle around the rim of a flowerpot. A bunch of pine needles, their favorite food, was in the center of the circled pot. You can probably guess what happened. They followed each other around the rim of the flowerpot for a full seven days and nights until they died of starvation. They starved to death while an abundant supply of food was less than six inches away. If just one caterpillar had broken rank and began to search for food, others would have followed. The group would have been spared. They would have found what they needed to live.

Paul broke free from the senseless circle and shouted, “Imitate (follow) me as I also imitate (follow) Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Many did...and others followed them...and others followed them...and they found Christ and life!

Just look over your shoulder at the procession behind you. They are there! Your spouse, your children, your neighbors, enemies, students in your Bible class, your brother in Christ, the ladies at the beauty shop, the people you work with, parents of those you teach, a discouraged friend, a new “babe” in Christ. The list goes on and on. People you never dreamed you had an influence on are watching you. Someone is following you.

Paul reminds us in Romans 14:7-8, “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.”

Do not blindly follow anyone, follow those who follow the Christ. Do not blindly lead, lead others to Christ. Jesus said it this way, “Can the blind lead the blind ? Will they not both fall into the ditch?” (Luke 6:39).

One day a mule fell into a dry well. The farmer directed his boys to bury the mule. But the mule refused to be buried. As the boys threw the dirt down on him, he simply shook it off and trampled on it. Before long, so much dirt had come down into the well that the mule just walked out. That which was intended to bury him was the very means by which he arose.

In life all great men and women climb up through difficulties. If their lives had been easy, we would never have heard of them (Hebrews 11:32-35). In overcoming difficulties, a person develops courage, strength, determination, and a ruggedness that is needed to successfully serve God (James 1:2-6).

Brethren, don’t let the devil get you down. Keep climbing, growing, and developing. Count it a privilege to take up your cross daily. Be determined that you will endure until the end. “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved (Matthew 10:22).

Author Unknown