The story goes that a North American missionary went out one day to preach in a barrio of a Brazilian city. Taking John 3:16 as his text, he stood on the corner proclaiming the love of God for all people. A crowd gathered. One man in the crowd interrupted the missionary, ‘You are wrong, Señor, God doesn’t love us.’ But the preacher was adamant. ‘Oh, yes. God does love you. God gives all good things, including the Christ, for you.’ The Brazilian, waving his arms at the squalor surrounding him, replied angrily, ‘Then somebody has been messing with the love of God!’ If God gave the earth for all people to share and enjoy, someone has been ‘messing’ with God’s plans.

– Charles Summers

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