One Beggar To Another

The great missionary statesman, D.T. Niles, coined a phrase that sums up what it means to witness for Christ.  He said evangelism is “one beggar telling another beggar where to find food.”

What an accurate definition of witnessing.  First of all, it admits the fact that we are all beggars, at least in the spiritual sense.

One of the silliest lies of our modern society is that everyone is OK.  The world says whatever appears to be wrong lies outside of us.  Society blames our environment or unjust political systems and policies for the wrongs in our world.  This philosophy is a blatant denial of what the Bible says (Rom. 3).  The reality of sin lies within our own hearts and waits to strike, like some evil serpent.  Paul said, it is “sin that dwelleth in me” (Rom. 7:17, 20). 

    Niles’ statement that evangelism is “one beggar telling another beggar where to find food” is an honest admission of our fallen nature and our own beggarliness. 

    But Niles’ statement says something else.  It also says that we don’t  need remain hungry beggars—it says food is available to feed our spiritual hunger.  The prophet Isaiah writes, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isa. 55:1).  In the last chapter of the Bible we read, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17). 

   Amen! How true it is—Witnessing is simply “one beggar telling another beggar where to find food.” We are all beggars.  But there is food to satisfy our hunger in Christ. We must tell others where to get it!

    Praise God, evangelism is not hard work. It is simply one beggar telling another where to find food for their soul and refreshment for their spirit.

Have to told anyone where they can find food to satisfy their hunger?