Hello Everyone,

Daniel Saccullo here with another installment of Character in Crisis! The book I would like to share with you is That Printer of Udell’s.

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ –Matthew 25:40

The story begins with a homeless tramp named Dick Falkner arriving in a place called Boyd City. Hungry and looking for work, he seeks help at the church. Empathetic glances and a “we’re praying for you” is the extent of their charity. Dick takes to the streets and meets a young printer named George Udell. Like Dick, Udell has experienced the painful hypocrisy of the church. Although he tries to live the best life he can, he has no interest in the church, due to the many stories just like Dick’s. Udell takes Dick in and houses him in return for Dick’s service at the print shop.

Many weeks later, a single sermon addressing this issue stirs the hearts of a group of young people in the city. The question arises in their hearts: how do we practically live out Christ’s teaching? Is church about nice buildings, pretty clothes, or social rankings? How do we help people materially without taking their dignity?

It is within this scene that the former tramp Dick Falkner rises. Humble and honest, Dick offers new insight on how to help those who are underprivileged or struggling. Inspired and eager to begin, the group of young people set out to put into practice what they preached. This simple determination changes the fate of their community forever—especially in the lives of George and Dick.

Recently, I was challenged with this very question in my own heart when a homeless man set up camp behind my house. I had already asked him once to leave and was on my way over to evict him when God gave me a gentle reminder. I should treat him with kindness and gentleness—for what kind of a witness would I be to run off a tired, elderly man?

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-3

As it turns out, the man was not a horrible person trying to steal or cause trouble. He was a hopeless man who had just escaped a terrible situation and desperately needed Jesus’ love, as well as the everyday needs of clothing, food, shelter, and a job. After speaking with Mark Hamby, the Lord made it clear that Lamplighter was to take care of him until he could get back on his feet. We offered him a place to stay and a job where he could work with me on the property. When all was said and done, the verse that kept repeating in my mind and heart was Matthew 25:40,

…whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me…

Growing up, I was taught through experience that being willing to get out of our comfort zone and live out Christ’s teaching has the potential to change society, our broken families, and our nation. We just have to stop taking from and start caring for those around us. There was nothing special about me or what I did, for Christ in us and through us has the power to change the world we live in. It is written,

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. -2 Corinthians 4:7

And,

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. -1 Corinthians 13:1-3

As you will soon discover in That Printer of Udell’s, Dick’s life is changed forever because of the effects of practical Christianity. And it started with one man following the teaching of Christ. I truly believe if we all followed—if I followed those words of Paul more closely in his letters to the Corinthians, we really could transform this whole world and bring heaven down to earth.

So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” –Luke 17:10

Daniel Saccullo