George Muller was born in Prussia on September 27, 1805. His father was a collector of taxes and George seemed to inherit his father's ability with figures.

1- No funds would ever be solicited.

2- No debts were ever to be incurred.

3- No money contributed for a specific purpose would ever be used for any other purpose.

4- All accounts would be audited annually.

5- No ego-pandering by the publication of donor's names.

6- No "names" of prominent people would be sought for the board or to advertise the institution.

7- The success of the orphanage would be measured not by the numbers served or by the amount of money taken in, but by God's blessing on the work, which Muller expected to be in direct proportion to the time spent in prayer.

When the first building was constructed, Muller and his friends remained true to their convictions. The public was amazed when a second building was opened six months after the first. They kept concentrating on prayer and eventually there were five new buildings, 110 workers, and 2,050 orphans being cared for.

George Muller not only counted on God to provide, but he believed that God would provide abundantly. For over 60 years Muller recorded every specific prayer request and the results. Muller was responsible for the care of 9,500 orphans during his life. These children never went without a meal. Muller never asked for help from anyone but God. $7,500,000 came to him over the course of his life and he vows it was all in answer to believing prayer.²

God is more than able to give us all we need or ask for, but His desire is not to make us comfortable. While there is nothing wrong with enjoying nice things in this life, His purpose for us is to be his hands and feet to others. The motive behind our asking should always include how we are going to use that blessing to serve others. Keeping his blessings to ourselves will end there, but when we share the blessings he gives with others, the impact can be limitless!

Suggested prayer: Dear God, when I take a moment and look at my life, I can truly see all the blessings you have bestowed upon me. I ask that my goal would be to share those blessings with others, and when I ask things from you in prayer, that my motive would be to glorify you with what I am asking. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name, amen.

1. James 4:2-3 (NLT).

2. Citation: Boyce Mouton, Carl Junction Christian Church Newsletter, January 30, 1980.