11/28/2011

The first billionaire ever was John D. Rockefeller. At the age of 23, he had already become a millionaire and, by the age of 50, he had achieved the status of being the nation’s first billionaire. Every waking moment of his life was spent in a quest to create and amass wealth, and he was very good at it. However, by the age of 53 he was struggling health-wise. His entire body constantly ached and he lost all of his hair. Inexplicably, his health continued to deteriorate. He couldn‘t eat regular food because of stomach problems, and his diet consisted of milk and crackers – every day. His personal physicians predicted that ‘the man who could buy anything he wanted’ would die within a year.

One morning, when John D. Rockefeller awoke, he made a decision. He called his attorneys, accountants and managers and announced that he wanted to channel all of his assets to hospitals, medical research and mission work. That day he established the John D. Rockefeller Foundation. This new direction in his life eventually led to the discovery of penicillin, cures for current strains of malaria, tuberculosis and diphtheria. The list of discoveries resulting from his generosity is long. But perhaps the most amazing part of Rockefeller’s story is that the day he began to give back a portion of what he had earned, something happened inside his own body. His body chemistry was altered so significantly that he got better. When it looked like, to his doctors and everyone else, he would die at 53; he wound up living until he was 98! History documents that he was actually healed, mentally, emotionally and physically by the decision to become generous. His generosity was not only revolutionary for the advancement of medicine and medical missions; it was also revolutionary in his own life.

Pray with me…. Our Father, You have made us to be like Yourself…. big-hearted and openhanded. Your Word teaches us that You are the ‘giver of every good and perfect gift.’ We want to be like You in our giving spirit. We want to seek first Your kingdom and righteousness. We want to demonstrate our priorities and values in practical measurable ways. Give us opportunities and challenges to go deeper in our conformity to Your likeness through our stewardship and our service. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Blessings,
Pastor Ken