Key Bible Verse: “But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus” (Acts 20:24). Bonus Reading: Acts 20:18–24, 32–35

There seemed little hope that an old man in the intensive care unit at the Temple, Texas, hospital could regain his health. He’d lost his wife through death and married a much younger woman, interested not so much in him as in his money. While he was hospitalized, this second wife filed for divorce, suing him for all she could get. He didn’t much care who got his money. He’d let her have it and avoid a legal hassle.

In the middle of the night, the old man nearly died from a ruptured blood vessel. No doctors were on duty at that hour, but a quick-thinking nurse handled the situation correctly and saved the old man’s life. A few hours later, the old man looked up at the nurse and in a very weak and feeble voice of appreciation said, “You saved my life.”

The nurse replied, “No, I didn’t. God did. Now it’s up to you to find out why.”

When the old man recovered he had a new purpose in life. He contested his divorce and kept his money, not to lavish on himself but to generously help others.