How Big is Your Basket?
Subject: Faith
By Knight’s 3,000 Illus.

Madaki, the chief elder of the church in Kwoi, Nigeria, some years ago was also one of the most prosperous farmers in the area. One day, the following announcement was made: “Madaki wants all the women to gather at his house tomorrow morning. Pass on the news.”

When the women went to his house the next morning, Madaki asked them to go to his farm, about three and a half miles away, to carry home his field corn. 104 women and girls responded and went to the farm with their baskets, little, big, and mid-sized. Some brought back a big load, others only a few ears. One took such a load that her strength failed before she got home.

When all the loads had been brought in, Madaki called the women together and told them that each might keep what she brought! There were shouts of joy and thanksgiving, but also sights of regret.

“If only I had known, I would have taken a larger basket,” was the complaint of some. There were those who had refused to go, saying, “I have work enough of my own.” These went to Madaki the following morning (their work seemed less important now!) and begged him to let them go and bring in a load. But he told them quietly, “the time is past; the corn was brought in yesterday.”

Through this kind deed, Madaki not only helped many needy families, but he also preached a quiet sermon that was repeatedly retold through the whole town. Christ calls us to serve in the harvest of faith, and the one who gives most for the sake of the kingdom, expecting nothing in return but the Master’s praise, will be blessed most in eternity.

Knight’s 3,000 Illustrations