Celebrating a Century

He has always been the setup man for the world’s most famous evangelist, whom he met and befriended almost 70 years ago. His famous voice is typically heard just before Billy Graham preaches the message of God’s salvation through Christ alone. His name is George Beverly Shea.

The 100-year old singer has been receiving widespread birthday greetings including a card from England’s Queen Elizabeth. Shea attributes his long life and good health to God’s love. He says it is nothing short of a great privilege to be associated for so long with the Graham organization. It has been reported that Graham felt Shea’s vocal introductions to be so important to the ministry that he told his long-time partner that he would not preach unless he first sang.

In Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 25, Jesus offered what has come to be known as the parable of the talents. He related a story of a man who divided talents among his servants for investment purposes. A talent was the heaviest unit of weight in the Hebrew system and was used to weigh gold, silver, iron, bronze and many other commodities. The common talent weighed about 3000 shekels or the full weight that a man could carry. For example, one talent of silver would be approximately four-hundred pounds and equal to about one-thousand nine-hundred and forty dollars.

The parable relates how three servants were given talents to be used wisely and increased during their employer’s absence. Of the three servants, the two had received multiple talents and, using their energy and ingenuity, they doubled the original amounts they were given. But the third servant did nothing and even buried his asset in the ground due to fear and insecurity. His inaction enraged his master who fully expected him to prosper during his absence. This led to the removal of his original talent, harsh critical words, and a shameful separation from his peers. But the others who acted wisely were treated to praise and reward from their master in verse 23. “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”

In his first letter, Peter addressed the living of the Christian life, especially considering the believer’s status as a pilgrim in a strange and godless world. In chapter 4 he spoke of the need for, and the effects of, a fervent Christian love. He then related the importance of using whatever spiritual gifts God has bestowed at the moment of their spiritual birth. Verse 10 reads, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Paul also weighs in on the reality of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12. In verses 4 he writes, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.” Then in verse 11 he adds, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

The Christian life begins at the moment of the new birth. But living out the faith requires involvement in faithful and meaningful Christian service. The target is that of become a ‘good steward’ as exemplified by a George Beverly Shea. And that requires the use of whatever gift or gifts an omniscient God has bestowed for our good and His ultimate glory. Only then will a child of God ever possess the confident peace spoken of by Paul in 2 Timothy 4:6-8. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” And only when God-given gifts are recognized, developed, and faithfully put in practice can Christians ever hope to someday stand before their Lord and be welcomed with words like these:

“Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matthew 5:23)

Bill Breckenridge