The Red Kettle

For years The Salvation Army has placed its red kettles in high traffic areas during the holiday season to attract donations to its mission of helping the marginalized with food, clothing, shelter, and utilities. People volunteer to ring the bell for shifts to raise as much money as possible for the worthy cause.

I was heading toward the St. Simons Island post office recently and saw the red kettle with its volunteer bell ringer standing outside. On the way out, I stopped to put a donation in the kettle and started chatting with the volunteer attendant. He told me they started the kettle ministry early this year because so many more people than usual had come to them for assistance. 

As we were talking another woman came out of the post office and put something in the kettle.

“You were there for my son when I needed you,” she said. “He couldn’t find a job and called me from Louisville, KY, a couple of years ago. He said he was worthless and was going to end his life. I told him he was not worthless and had a lot to give.

“As soon as we hung up, I called the Salvation Army here and asked who to call for help in Louisville. They gave me a phone number which I promptly called. I explained the situation and asked if someone could go out to my son’s apartment and counsel him. They got right on it. They took food and clothing and stayed with him for quite a while, praying with him while they were there. They let him know he was important and encouraged him with his employment (or lack thereof) situation. He told me later they saved his life.”

“Wow,” I said. “That’s quite a story. How is he doing now?”

“So much better,” this mom said. “He found a job and has just gotten promoted to supervisor. His attitude has changed completely. I want to give back to the Salvation Army anytime I can.”

She walked off toward her car.

The volunteer bell ringer and I looked at each other. “That was quite a story,” I said. “Have you heard anything else like it?” He shook his head no. 

“It certainly makes your job here more meaningful,” I noted. “Yes,” he said. “It sure does.”

It was almost noon so I asked, “Are you hungry?”

“I sure am,” he said.

“I’ll go get you a sandwich.” It was the least I could do.

As I reflected on the morning, I remembered Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:40-41. “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous.” 

If we welcome and support the one who is ministering, we receive the same reward as they do. Not all of us can go and perform the services that need to be performed for the marginalized. Some go, some give, and some pray. All are needed and all receive the same reward. The Salvation Army went in this case but every dollar given and every prayer prayed helps make their going possible. To our gracious heavenly Father, those who give and pray receive the same reward as the goers. I will never again look at a red kettle in the same way.