Stewardship

Here's a wonderful story about stewardship and generosity:

        The very first person to reach the status of billionaire was a man who knew how to set goals and follow through.  His name was John D. Rockefeller. At the age of 23, he had become a millionaire, by the age of 50 a billionaire.  Every decision, attitude, and relationship he made was tailored to create his personal power and wealth.  His net worth at that time, when adjusted for inflation would put him in the top twenty modern day billionaires; however, when adjusted for the size of the United States economy in his day, his net worth would dwarf that of any of today's billionaires.

        But three years after becoming a billionnaire, at the age of 53 he became ill.  His entire body became racked with pain and he lost all the hair on his head.  In complete agony, the world’s only billionaire could buy anything he wanted, but he could only digest milk and crackers.  An associate wrote, "He could not sleep, would not smile and nothing in life meant anything to him."  His personal, highly skilled physicians predicted he would die within a year. 

        That year passed agonizingly slow.  As he approached death he awoke one morning with the vague remembrances of a dream.  He could barely recall the dream but knew it had something to do with not being able to take any of his successes with him into the next world.  The man who could control the business world suddenly realized he was not in control of his own life.  He was left with a choice. 

        He called his attorneys, accountants, and managers and announced that he wanted to channel his assets to hospitals, research, and mission work.  He determined to become a giver rather than an accumulator.  On that day John D. Rockefeller established his foundation.  This new direction eventually led to the discovery of penicillin, cures for current strains of malaria, tuberculosis and diphtheria.  The list of discoveries resulting from his choice is enormous. 

        But perhaps the most amazing part of Rockefeller’s story is that the moment he began to give back a portion of all that he had earned, he slowly regained back his health and he got better.  It looked as if he would die at 53 but he lived to be 98.   Rockefeller learned gratitude and gave back from his wealth.  Doing so made him whole.  It is one thing to be healed it is another to be made whole.

-------------------------------   

 

stew·ard

n.

1. One who manages another's property, finances, or other affairs.

from Dictionary.com

-------------------------------

        Giving and  receiving are but reminders that we are stewards of God's wealth.   In giving, we receive.  And in receiving, we give.  God's blessings flow through everyone.  Good stewards recognize that the blessings they receive should not stop with them, but should be passed on forward like a ripple in the pond that spreads far and wide.

        "I am but a steward.  I will therefore manage to the best of my abilities whatever it is God has given me for his Glory.  I resolve, to be generous with my time, talent and treasure, giving in proportion to the gifts I have been given.  I commit myself to taking care of my body and all of creation.  I know there will be times when I will fail to be a good steward, but I pledge to keep on trying.  I will confidently live each day with a spirit of true peace and joy, as I make stewardship a way of life."