Over 30 years ago, a young Jewess was brought to the Lord and truly converted. Her husband had died a few years previously, leaving her with five little children to bring up and care for. In order to do so, she obtained a position in one of the departments of a large store; and it was during this time that her conversion took place.
She lost no time in letting it be known among her fellow workers, with the result that a great stir was caused, accompanied by much opposition. But the young Jewess was true to what she had learned of the Lord, and did not cease by word of mouth, as well as by her walk and ways, to testify of Christ.
It was not long before it reached the ears of her employer, and she was summoned into his presence.
"What is the meaning of all this that I hear about you and your Christ?" he asked. "You have been the cause of a great disturbance and stir among my assistants. This has got to stop. I will give you till the end of the month; and then, if you still persist in going on in this way, you must either give up your Christ, or give up work and The Jewess was somewhat taken aback by the turn affairs had taken, and was silent for a minute or two.
"That is going to be rather hard, Sir," she said, "for, as you are aware, I am a widow with five young children to care for. But, if it comes to that, Sir, I'll choose to give up my work, and starve, rather than give up my Christ."
At the end of the month, she was again summoned into her employer's rooms.
"Well," he said, "I hear you are still speaking of your Christ. You remember what I told you?"
"Yes, Sir, I do," was the Jewess' reply; "but my decision is unaltered."
Then the manager said, "We have decided to retain you in the store, and you are to be the manager of your department."
Her gratitude to God may better be imagined than described; and it is worthy of note that she continued to witness for the Lord as faithfully as before.
"Them that honor Me I will honor, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed" (1 Sam. 2:30).
"If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor." John 12:26.
Would that, among the people of God today, there would be more of that spirit of wholehearted devotion to Christ, which characterized the Jewess who was prepared to sacrifice everything that her heart would naturally count dear to her, for His sake!