Today at the San Francisco Antiques and Artisans Flea Market, many people approached my booth without even $5 to purchase a book. Some of these people were homeless, others were people with very tight budgets. I was very happy to have some $1 NKJV Bibles to share for free with a couple of homeless people who asked for them.
Some of the people who looked at message books like "Desire of Ages", or "El Grand Conflicto", would ask if I was going to be at the market again next week. Some asked me if I would have the book next week for them when they could bring money for the book.
When this happens, I am reminded of these texts in Colporteur Ministry,
So when I see someone closely inspecting a book like the Great Controversy, and then they put it down while telling me they will return next week to buy the book, often I feel impressed to pick it up and place it in their hands and tell them, "Here, I trust you. It's a long weekend until I will be here again, I can see you'll enjoy having this to read. Go ahead and take the book now, and bring me the $5 when you next see me here."
This happened in the morning with a man in sweatpants who came up on a bicycle. He said he had read the Desire of Ages in the past, so I offered him the Great Controversy. He didn't have any money at all, but said he lived around the corner, he'd come back sometime next week. I had told him that the book was $8, but I placed a copy in his hand and told him, "I think you'll enjoy this over the long holiday weekend. Just bring me a five spot the next time you see me here."
He thanked me, and tucked the book into his sweatshirt, we exchanged "God Bless You"s , and he rode off.
I made a note of his name, (Randy), and some notes about our discussions, and his promise.
Later I had asked someone to watch my booth for a moment, and as I was getting ready to run to the bathroom, a man and woman came up to the booth. The man said "Hello" to me and patted me on the back, and he seemed to know me. He asked me if I remembered him, but I didn't.
He said "I'm the guy on the bicycle from this morning." He remembered my name, and introduced me to his wife. I realized I didn't recognize him because now he was all dressed up, and I joked with him how I need to see him in his sweatpants to be able to recognize him!
Then he told me how he had told his wife, "This morning, when I was going to the medical clinic and I didn't have any money on me, this man didn't know me from anyone, but he was willing to trust me with one of his books. He was willing to trust I'd bring the money later. I was so touched that he would trust me like that.... I wrote in in my book what happened, and how you trust me, and I wanted to bring the back for you to sign it."
He didn't actually have the book with him at that moment, but it sure was encouraging to know how meaningful the experience was for him.
Not everyone accepts a book on trust like this. Some won't even accept a free book. But apparently some who do accept a book, on the trust that they will keep their word and pay in the future, are very deeply touched by the experience of being trusted.
Thank you Jesus, for an opportunity to touch this man by sharing with him the trust You've given me to share....