The Gospel According to the Little Red Hen

Remember the story of the Little Red Hen? Here is a church equivalent! I really wish I could take credit for coming up with this but a friend of mine gave me a copy of it and I'm simply passing it along.

Once upon a time there was a church. One day the Lord found a lost and dying world, enslaved in sin and destined for hell.

"Who will share the gospel with those who know not the way of life eternal?" said He.

"Not I," said the elder.
"Not I," said the deacon.
"Not I," said the Sunday School worker.
"Not I," said the choir member.
"Not I," said the member.


"Very well, then," said the Lord. "I will find someone else." And He did!
After some time the gospel seed sprouted and grew. "Who will teach these young in faith the way of righteousness and truth?" asked the Lord.


"Not I," said the elder. "I have other things to do."
"Not I," said the deacon. "That is not my job."
"Not I," said the choir member. "I do not like the deacon."
"Not I," said the member. "Let the Sunday school worker do it."


"Very well, then," said the Lord. "I will find someone else to teach my Word." And He did!
"Now," said the Lord, "the church has children and teenagers. Who will shepherd and direct them in My ways?"

Not I," said the elder. "That is not my job."
"Not I," said the deacon. "I do not like the choir member."
"Not I," said the Sunday school worker. "I have other things to do."
"Very well, then," said the Lord. "I will find another." And He did!


Again the Lord said, "The meeting house needs some work. Who will help clean it, mend its roof, paint its walls so that it may bring honor to my name and joy to those who gather there?"
"Not I," said the deacon. "I have other things to do."
"Not I," said the Sunday School worker. "That is not my job."
"Not I," said the member. "Let the deacon do it."
"Very well," said the Lord. "I will find someone else." And He did!


Later the Lord said, "Some of my children are in need. Who will share what is theirs so that others may have?"


"Not I," said the elder. "Let the deacon do it."
"Not I," said the deacon. "Let the Sunday school worker do it."
"Not I," said the Sunday school worker. "Let the choir member do it."
"Not I," said the choir member. "Let the member do it."
"Not I," said the member. "Let the elder do it."


"Very well, then," said the Lord. "I will find someone else." And He did!
Eventually, after the gospel was preached, the weak taught, the young guided, the meeting house repaired, and those in need helped, the Lord said, "Who will share in the joys of Christian service? Who will come taste the blessings of faithfulness? Who will know the fruit of spiritual growth?"


"I will!" said the elder.
"I will!" said the deacon.
"I will!" said the Sunday school worker.
"I will!" said the choir member.
"I will!" said the member.


"No, you will not," replied the Lord. "My rewards will go to those who do My will, not their own."



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