James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (ESV)
Matthew 25:35-40 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (ESV)
These passages remind me of the life and labors of George Müller (September 27, 1805 – March 10, 1898). Having given his life to the gospel ministry after his conversion, in 1825, Müller spent his life caring for those who were in need. He began to preach in 1826, took up mission work among the Jews in England in 1829, and took up the pastorate of the Ebenezer Chapel in 1830.During those formative years Müller learned to trust the Lord for material as well as spiritual provisions. It was upon this same principle that Müller took up caring for the poor children of England. In 1832 Müller moved to Bristol, and there, in 1834, he organized the Scriptural Knowledge Institution of Home and Abroad. Finally, in 1836, an orphanage was opened housing twenty-six orphan girls. This work continued to grow until five houses stood on this property and thousands of children were housed, cared for, and instructed in the Christian faith.
In his seventieth year, Müller and his wife began an evangelistic tour. These travels took him around the world sharing the gospel and encouraging Christians to live by faith. At the age of ninety-three, on March 10, 1898, George Müller fell asleep in Christ.
I would especially recommend to you Müller's Autobiography. The copy I own is an inexpensive reprint by Whitaker House. I bought it during my freshman year at college and read through it prayerfully. I believe that Müller possessed the spiritual gift of faith, to a degree that many of us do not know. I'm not sure that all Christians are expected to live according to the same manner and method as Müller did, but we all ought to learn to look to the hand of God as he did. Another man who followed a similar principle and saw the mighty hand of God upon his life was J. Hudson Taylor. Thank God for the testimonies of men who dared to trust God and not lean upon the arm of flesh!
More Biographical Information:
- at Wholesome Words
- at Wikipedia
- Lecture by John Piper
Works by and about Müller:
A Narrative of Some of the Lord's Dealings with George Müller, written by himself, together with Jehovah Magnified. Addresses by George Müller. Complete & Unabridged. 2 volumes. (Dust & Ashes Publications)- Read A Narrative of the Lord's Dealings with George Muller
- Read Jehovah Magnified: Addresses of George Muller
- Available at Project Gutenberg
- The Autobiography of George Müller (Whitaker House, 1984). 240 pages.
- George Muller of Bristol: His Life of Prayer and Faith by A. T. Pierson. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 2000). 375 pages. First published in 1899 with the title: George Müller of Bristol and his witness to a prayer hearing God. Online book
- George Muller: Man of Faith and Miracles by Basil Miller. (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 1972). 160 pages.
- George Müller and His Orphans by Nancy Garton. (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1963).
- George Mueller: The Guardian of Bristol's Orphans by Janet & Geoff Benge. (Seattle, WA: YWAM Publishing, 1999). 207 pages.
