25077 
MORE......June 11, 2008
The Stranger’s Voice
(John 21:4)
Some years ago at a resort area along the
East Coast, a small community was having an
open town meeting about some financial
problems they were facing. Among the two
dozen or more in attendance was one man no
one recognized a visitor who had
apparently dropped in for the meeting. The
discussion focused on the desperate state
of the town’s coffers and on possible
ways to raise funds.
During the discussion, the stranger
attempted several times to make a comment
about various projects being considered,
but each time he was interrupted.
Eventually, he quit and left the hall.
Just as the unknown visitor exited, someone
arriving late came into the hall. Out of
breath from hurrying, the late-comer asked,
“What was he doing here? Is he going to
help us?”
The rest asked, “Who are you talking
about?”
He said, “You mean you don’t know?
That was John D. Rockefeller who just left
the hall. His yacht is in our harbor.
Didn’t you get his help?”
In despair someone replied, “No, we
didn’t get his help. We didn’t know
who he was.”
This true story illustrates two key
points:
First, good manners will always have their
rewards and rudeness its price.
Second, this story reminds us that we may
become so busy trying to find the solution
to a problem, we may drown out the voice of
the Master who has all solutions among His
vast resources.
25077