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The Legacy Collection

Giving Something Extra

Volume XI

"Giving Something Extra"

By
Dennis Fischer

Summary: By Blow the Trumpet

The following message was presented by Dennis Fischer on April 17, 2017 to a congregation of the United Church of God at the request of Dan Deininger who served as the Montana regional pastor for the Church.

However, the true origin of this message goes back considerably further—to 1988. At that time Fischer served as a Vice President for one of the largest financial institutions in the United States (Gibraltar Financial Group). At some point one of his coworkers invited him to speak to a group of Christian Business Professionals who held a monthly breakfast meeting. The meeting would be attended by approximately forty men and would feature a guest speaker who would address a variety of subjects including such things as health and fitness to preparing wills and everything in between. The meetings also including members giving testimonies regarding their Christian walk.

Although Fischer’s coworker had no idea what his religious beliefs were he had heard him give numerous presentations to investor groups as well as company personnel and thought his immense popularity as a presenter as evidenced by the high demand for his services in this regard made him a “natural” for this particular invitation. Fischer consented, although he expressed that he was reticent to be “preachy” and indicated that would speak about something related to banking and finance. However, at this point his colleague encouraged him to be willing to speak about his faith or something related to spirituality. In the end he did and it was received enthusiastically. He was even invited on several occasions to give follow up messages but because of professional demands was unable to accommodate them.

Fast forward twenty-nine years

We now come to Fischer’s 2017 sermonette requested by his friend and pastor. Because Mr. Fischer, has a profound respect for Mr. “D,” as he calls him, he consented to the request. The service was attended by approximately twenty-five congregants including Mr. Deininger and his wife and daughter. When recalling this particular message Fischer indicated that after services Mr. “D” conveyed to him how much he appreciated it, calling it “one of your best.” This complement genuinely effected Fischer for two reasons:

First, it was given by a dear friend and Church leader
And second it was totally unsolicited and genuinely sincere.

This is not the only time Mr. “D” has expressed his appreciation for Fischer’s contribution to the UCG and its work. A few years ago he hand wrote a very personal letter expressing his gratitude for Fischer’s contribution to the Church in general and his pastorate in particular. Fischer was so moved by it that the letter is safeguarded in his Bible (the book of James, his favorite) to this very day.

This particular message is an exact duplicate of the one delivered nearly three decades earlier with one exception. When addressing the business meeting he referred to his audience as “gentlemen” or “friends.” When addressing the Church he referred to them as “brethren.”

And now we at Blow the Trumpet are honored to include “Giving Something Extra” as the eleventh installment in our Legacy Collection.

Sermonette

Introduction:

Good morning everyone.

Brethren, I’d like to begin by asking you a question.

How many of you have heard of Eddy Cantor?

Well for those who have not, Eddy Cantor was a legendary vaudeville entertainer who began his career in 1907 at the age of fifteen.

For fifty years he touched audiences with his extraordinary talents.

He was one of the most popular celebrities in the United States.

He was a singer
A Songwriter
An actor
A comedian
And even an author.

He had his own radio program in the thirties.

Was a movie star in the forties.

And often appeared on television in the fifties.

He was the second President of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).

And was originally cast for the role of the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz.

This remarkable man was the recipient of two Academy Awards—the last one coming in 1964, the year he died.

But there’s more.

He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2000 and has three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

One for motion pictures
One for television, and
One for radio

But the thing he was most famous for had nothing to do with his prowess as an entertainer.

It was his unbridled PASSION for philanthropic causes.

He was the one who coined the phrase “March of Dimes” for a donation campaign of the National Foundation of Infantile Paralysis (Polio)

He actually began the first campaign on his own radio show in January 1938. asking people to mail a dime to the nation’s most famous polio victim, President Franklin Roosevelt.

His endeavor became so popular that other entertainers joined in the appeal

As a result the White House mail room was deluged with 2,689,000 dimes

SPS

This now brings us to the point and it involves the shaping of this remarkable personality.

Brethren, although Eddy Cantor was a man of extraordinary talents, it was something that took place when he was a young boy that actually shaped him into the man he would be.

The Eddy Cantor Story

Here is that story

Brethren, Eddy Cantor was born in January 1892.

However, his parents died when he was two years old.

As a result he was raised by his grandmother on New York’s Lower East Side.

As a young boy he made money by doing the grocery shopping for some of the ladies in his apartment building.

But there was a catch

You see, these ladies insisted that he purchased their groceries at a particular market that was over twelve blocks away even though there were at least a half dozen stores that were considerably closer.

Well, one day young Cantor was running late so he decided to do his shopping at a store just around the corner.

After all, there was nothing special about the food he was purchasing.

Eggs were eggs
Bread was bread
Milk was milk

So off he went.

However, when he returned he got an earful from the ladies.

Why didn’t you follow our instructions they demanded?

What’s wrong with you?

Suffice it to say, they were furious.

Well after a big apology and a lot of groveling the ladies decided to give Cantor one more chance.

The Investigation

As he prepared to go on his next shopping assignment something gnawed at him.

He couldn’t figure out how they knew he had switched markets.

So, this time he decided to investigate.

To his amazement, he discovered that the grocer was HORRIBLY mistake prone.

Instead of providing 6 eggs he gave 8

Instead of four rolls he bagged six.

This continued throughout his shopping experience—leading him to correct his elder.

“No, no, no!” Cantor exclaimed. “You’ve got it all wrong.

You gave me too many eggs and more rolls than I asked for.

And you filled the milk containers with far more than the order called for.

You’ve made one mistake after another.”

This prompted the grocer to respond:

“Young Cantor, there was no mistake, but there was a lesson. Here it is.

It is always best to give something extra.”

Carrying the Lesson

Well into his show business career Eddy Cantor carried that lesson with him.

And it showed.

At the conclusion of a performance he would often ask his audience if they wanted more.

Of course they responded with an enthusiastic YES!!!!

And he was quick to oblige them—giving them a show for the ages.

Here is the point.

The Prime Directive

Brethren, giving something extra is one of the prime directives of Christianity.

And it is expressed in the most significant sermon ever uttered by the Savior of the world.

And of course I’m referring to the Sermon on the mount. Notice what the Messiah says about Giving Something Extra.

Matthew 5:38-44

“You have heard that it has been said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth

But I say unto you, that you resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.

And if any man will sue you at the law, and take away your coat, let him have your overcoat as well.

And whosoever shall compel you to go a mile. Go with him two.

Give to him that asks of you, and from him that would borrow turn not away.

You have heard that it has been said, That you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you.”

Luke’s Advice

In the gospel of Luke Jesus illustrated the difference between an unprofitable servant and a profitable one. Notice the distinction He makes between the two

The unprofitable servant does what is required of him while.

The profitable servant does more. He gives something extra.

Conclusion:

This now brings us to the conclusion of the matter and the rest of the story.

For you see brethren, this story didn’t conclude when Cantor was a young boy but rather much later when he was a very successful entertainer.

It was that at that time he decided to return to New York’s Lower East Side and seek out the grocer who had such profound impact on his life.

However, when he returned he discovers the grocer no longer works at the market.

When he inquired about his whereabouts he was told that the grocer he had sought was now the owner of a chain of markets.

Well this led Cantor to seek the grocer out.

When they finally met the first thing the grocer said was: “Young Cantor, do you remember the lesson?”

Without hesitation and with the pride of a pupil respectfully standing before a great master offered the following: “Sir, it is always best to give something extra.”

And that my friends is a lesson every Christian should remember as well.

Volume XII
A Tribute to Dignity