I am re-reading a book called The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson. It is fascinating and one of my favorites. It is about a person named Ordinary who lives in the Land of Familiar but desires to leave to pursue his Big Dream. Obviously it is told in a parable format, but is relevant to anyone in today’s time, including me. I have a Big Dream and that is to be the greatest financial contributor to the Gospel of Jesus Christ who ever lived. Since I was a kid I have always imagined being “The Hero” in every scenario I played in my mind. I rescue the damsel in distress, I fight the dragon and win, I catch and kill evil, and I save and protect the innocent. No one ever defeats me in my world; I am always the victor and never the victim! (I watched a lot of television when I was young.)
Nonetheless, nearly 10 years ago I discovered a passage in the bible that caught and held my attention. It is 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 NAS
“Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
as it is written,
“He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor,
His righteousness endures forever.”
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;
you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.
For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all,
while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
Out of that, came my desire for wealth, and not so much for selfish gain, but for funding and promoting the gospel around the world. I then began to look for ways to become rich and wealthy and wanted to follow the example of a Godly man. However, in my quest I was scammed after spending thousands of dollars. Since then my Big Dream faded back into the depths of my heart and mind. I felt so foolish because I believed the unbelievable.
Well, I guess if you never bang your head, you will never learn to duck.
What lessons in life would we learn if we never took a chance? I am not there yet, and I have not given up but I have learned to duck.
