That’s Just Nuts!

Amedeo Obici was born in 1876 in a small village near Venice, Italy. His widowed mother read him letters from his uncle in America, and Amedeo told everyone he was going to America one day. Everyone knew he was an exceptionally bright and enterprising child. By the time he was 11 years old, his family had helped him save enough money for an immigrant's ticket to America, and he set sail by himself. One story says Amedeo had no money for food, so his mother gave him a bag of peanuts which was all he had to eat for the 10 day trip across the ocean. In this land of opportunity, Amedeo, at 11 years of age, went to work as a bellhop and a helper at a fruit stand. He worked hard and saved his money as he had promised his mother. Amedeo soon learned that Americans liked the peanuts he shared with them; but few, if any, were growing them here. So, he found a place to plant the handful of peanuts he had left. While his peanuts were growing, he saved enough money to buy a horse and wagon. When his peanut crop came in, he drove around calling himself "The Peanut Specialist" selling roasted peanuts. By 1906 he had developed his own method of blanching and roasting peanuts. He became wealthy enough to send money to his family in Italy; and, years later, he gave to the city of Suffolk, Virginia the Louise Obici Hospital named after his wife. Now, Amedeo had only a handful of peanuts; but he had the choice of what he could do with them. He could have eaten them or sold them, but he wisely chose to plant what he had so that, in time, he would have enough to eat, give away, and sell to send money to his family. I don't know if Amedeo knew about the Law of the Harvest in the Bible, but he certainly practiced it!

Like Amedeo, you have choices to make with what you have: You may eat your peanuts. They'll taste good for the moment, but then you won't have any left! Or, you may just hide them in your pocket and keep them. You, also, have the choice to divide them: You could eat some and sell some. We all need to eat and pay for our basic necessities. You might share some with others. A wise choice would be to give the first 10% to God knowing he will honor that and bless what you have left.

By the way, Amedeo Obici and his good friend Mario Peruzzi stepped out in faith and started a small company that did quit well. Have you ever heard of “Planters Peanuts”?

What portion of your hard earned income is God asking you give to him?

Scripture: Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Prayer: Lord, help me to give back to you a portion of what you have given me. Amen

Pastor John

(513)-867-5411 www.thepresby.org