General Sam Houston, one of my heroes, was commander the army of the Republic of Texas, the first elected president of the Republic of Texas, first Senator from the state of Texas, and later the sixth governor of the state. Life on the Texas frontier was rough and rugged. Men molded by the frontier knew how to fight, drink, curse, and kill. Sam Houston fit the lifestyle comfortably and was known as “Big Drunk.”
Through the influence of his wife he became a Christian and was baptized at the age of 63. Just before he was baptized, the preacher said, “General, perhaps you had better hand your wallet to someone. You’ll ruin it if it gets wet.” Sam replied, “No, I believe not, pastor. I’m afraid it needs baptizing too.”
Sam Houston’s wet wallet, his baptized billfold, became part of his witness to his dedication to God. It testified to the fact that when God touched his heart, he touched his wallet also.
That’s the way salvation should be. It should affect not only our eternal destiny, but our worldly possessions. We need more baptized billfolds today.