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The following is an ancient, classic story. It is somewhat of a parable from yesteryear. And, at the end of the article, I think it will surprise you when I explain why it became so well-known across America.
Once when there was a famine, a rich baker sent for twenty of the poorest children in the town and said to them, "In this basket, there is a loaf for each of you. Take it and come back to me every day at this hour till God sends us better times."
The hungry children gathered eagerly about the basket and quarreled for the bread because each wished to have the largest loaf. At last, they went away without even thanking the good man.
But Gretchen, a poorly-dressed little girl, did not quarrel or struggle with the rest but remained standing modestly in the distance. When the ill-behaved girls had left, she took the smallest loaf, which alone was left in the basket, kissed the man's hand, and went home.
The next day the children were as ill-behaved as before, and poor, timid Gretchen received a loaf scarcely half the size of the one she received the first day. When she went home, her mother cut the loaf, and many new, shining pieces of silver fell out of it.
The mother was very much alarmed and said, "Take the money back to the good man at once, for it must have got in the dough by accident. Go quickly, Gretchen, go quickly!"
But when the little girl gave the rich man her mother's message, he said, "No, no, my child. It was no mistake. I had the silver pieces put into the smallest loaf to reward you. Always be contented, peaceable and grateful as you are now. Go home, now, and tell your mother that the money is your own."
Of course, the unmistakable lesson of the story is God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. It teaches us that in the end, God rewards humility, honesty, gratitude, and contentment.
Do you know where "The Little Loaf" story comes from? It was originally printed in McGuffey's Third Reader, which was the public-school textbook for nearly every American child in grades 1-6 from 1850 to 1920. Approximately 120 million copies of McGuffey's Readerswere sold between 1836 and 1960, and it is still in use in some homeschools today.
That story illustrates the sort of values taught in public schools in this country through much of the 19thand 20th centuries. One cannot help but notice the contrast to the themes of self-love, self-esteem, self-assertiveness, self-identity, self-gratification, and self-fulfillment encouraged in most public schools today.
"This is what the Lord says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls'" (Jeremiah 6:16).
 | Bob Russell became the pastor of Southeast Christian Church at just 22 years old. That small congregation of 120 members became one of the largest churches in America, with 18,000 people attending the four worship services every weekend in 2006 when Bob retired. Now through Bob Russell Ministries, Bob continues to preach at churches; conferences throughout the United States, provide guidance for church leadership, mentor other ministers and author Bible study videos for use in small groups. Learn More » |
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