Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962) of Austria was one of the greatest violinists of all time. He thrilled audiences around the world with his skillful playing. Although he could have commanded the highest fees, he refused to do so and never became rich.

Kreisler once said, “I never look upon the money I earn as my own. It is public money. It is only a fund entrusted to my care for proper disbursement.” Speaking for his wife as well as himself, he said, “I feel morally guilty if I order a costly meal, for it deprives someone else of a slice of bread—some child perhaps of a bottle of milk . . . . In all these years of my so-called success in music, we have not built a home for ourselves. Between it and us stand all the homeless in the world!”

What a challenge to disciples of a Master who voluntarily left the ivory palaces of glory, and who had no place he could call His home here on earth (Matt. 8:20). Are we as concerned as Fritz Kreisler was about people who are hungry and homeless? Do we really care about people who need the Bread of Life—those who will have no eternal home unless they hear and believe the gospel?

We ought to be thankful for all that God has given to us. Let’s be people who care.

  — Vernon C. Grounds