A searchable, downloadable PDF of the original article appears below. Ivan Gamble was formerly minister of First Church, Prince Rupert, B.C., and St. Andrew’s, Kamloops, B.C., and now a social worker in Oliver, B.C. and elder at St. Andrew’s, Penticton, B.C.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” – Luke 11:11-13 NIV

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8,9. NIV

Part One

Sometimes I wonder about Josh. I’m beginning to think he isn’t fair, and I have a pretty hard time keeping from being resentful. He seems to be tormenting me.

It all goes back to last September when our class began that Math course. And he knows how difficult Math is for me. Josh told us he had made a deal with Radio Shack for our whole class. He said our class was special to him, because it was his first class after he got his Master’s degree. His father had given him a generous graduation gift, and instead of using it on himself, he said he wanted to “invest in his students” as he put it. He said that he had made a deal with Radio Shack that each one of us was eligible to receive a brand new Philips calculator, but that each had to go in to Radio Shack, sign the guarantee, and pick it up. He said he would foot the bill.

The offer is really too good to be true. I still think there must be a catch in it somewhere. Still, it sure would be nice to have one. I would be able to do my homework in half the time, and be twice as accurate. Some of my classmates couldn’t care less about having a calculator. But I really want one. I need one. But I can’t afford it.

Right after his offer, I went and told him how much having a Philips calculator would mean to me. I also phoned him for awhile almost every week to talk about the features of that special calculator. I even wrote him a note about how a calculator would improve my marks. And I sure have put a lot of effort into my Math course. I have been doing an extra hour of homework every night, and have brought my mark up from D to a C-. You would think that that alone would make Josh appreciate all my efforts so that he should make sure I got a calculator. I think I have spent more time and effort to improve my Math than any other member of my class. You would think that Josh would show more appreciation of my efforts. I think that if anyone deserves a calculator, I do.

And when I think of Helen and Pete, it makes me mad! Helen got a B in Math even without a calculator. What in the world does she need one for? And Pete! He got his calculator the same day Josh told us about them. And now, even with his calculator, he can only manage a D. I get better grades without one than he does with one. I admit he is a little slow, but he goofs off and hardly even does any homework. But I do extra work and really try. It really bugs me that he has a calculator, and I don’t.

Here it is late February, and Josh made his promise last September. But I still don’t have my calculator. I don’t know what’s the matter. Goodness knows I have reminded him often enough of how much I need one. Sometimes I wonder about Josh.

Part Two

Josh is really one Super Guy! You may have guessed – I now have my brand new Philips calculator. Today is March 8th, and I have had it just a week. Things came to a head the last day of February – February 29th to be exact. I had really worked hard on my Math assignment, and I wondered if Josh would show any appreciation. He just looked at me with a hurt, disappointed expression. Then I saw his eyes fill with tears. I even saw two tears trickle down his nose. He then turned away, took out his handkerchief, and blew his nose real hard.

That night I was over at my friend Bill’s house doing some homework. He was helping me with his calculator. Besides being in the same class, he is my best friend. I started complaining to him. I said, “I really can’t figure Josh out.” Then Bill really blew his stack. He really got mad at me. If he hadn’t been my best friend I don’t think I could have taken it. He said, “So you think you can’t figure Josh out! Well, let me tell you what I think. I think that Josh can’t figure you out, and neither can I.” Then Bill went on, “This is Leap Year, and my advice to you is to ‘take the leap’.” He said, “Tomorrow is the first of March, and you just better march right down to Radio Shack and sign on the dotted line. What have you got to lose, beside your pride? And where has that gotten you?”

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. ”

He really got to me, so the next day I did go down to Radio Shack. I felt a little foolish and uncomfortable going in, especially when I saw Pete there looking over some tape decks. But after taking a couple of deep breaths, and swallowing hard, I went in. I was surprised at how friendly the clerk was. He seemed to be expecting me. He pulled open a drawer and took out a package. I noticed my name was written on it. He said that Josh had come in about the middle of September and had told him to set aside one of the calculators for me. Man! That was nearly six months ago! I signed the guarantee, and then the clerk held out the package to me. I reached out and took it. And now I have my very own Philips calculator.

Although I didn’t actually tell Josh that I finally picked up my calculator, I know he knows; because today, as I handed in my assignment he smiled at me, and winked. Josh is one super guy!