Encourage & Equip

As children of a wonderful God we are to be good stewards of the things that God gives/blesses us with. Including but not limited to our life, money, time, house, children, our worldly possessions and even the very air we breath. So last week I asked the following question as a survey to some friends, family and co-workers. I would like for you to reply to the question before you read the replies, so that you can answer honestly with out any outside influences.

If you were given 1 million (tax free) dollars, and two options as to what you were to do with it, which would you choose?

These are the options: (1) Since you have a job you could give it away to a group of below poverty families, chosen by the person who gave you the money. In return you get the satisfaction of knowing that you helped someone worse off than you. Or (2) You can keep the money and do as you see fit, (pay off student loans, old debts, buy a house, etc..). These are your options think about it as if the money is sitting right in front of you right now. How would you reply to that question? Please send me a return message with your “honest” answer..! Thanks.

Again before you proceed, if you have not done so, go to the comments section and leave your honest answer before reading any further. Don't worry there is no right or wrong answer, this is just a good time for you to search you heart.

I have a few replies that I would like to share but first I want to share my honest reply. I would honestly take the money and do as "I" saw fit. Remember that it was "given to me." It would not matter the source from which it came because I know that, "My Father knows the things "I" need before I ask, and that the wealth of the wicked is stored up for the just." (Matthew 6:8, Proverbs 13:22). Now that it belongs to me I would therefore "first" give $100k to the church that encouraged me to be the man of God that I am, Canaan Worship Center of KCMO. Then take care of my home, because again the bible says (in 1 Timothy 5:8) that a person that does not take care of their relatives, especially the members of their household has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. So I would be sure to take care of my family then those that were less fortunate than myself that God leads me to help, may it be a random person on the street or a charitable organization.

Now that you know my heart, I will share a few replies of some others.:

Before any of the options, I would give first to the Lord (all if it is HIS anyway), then help out those less fortunate than me.

I would choose #2  and buy a house and buy my daughter a house and the rest I would choose to give to who I want—like salvation army –the food kitchen, big brothers……

I would pay off everything, make sure my family was ok and then go from there. I do know that God is who gives us what we have. I would hope I would do what is right with what He allotted me.

 I would keep some and give some away is my honest answer.  It would not be an all or nothing either way.

#2 for me…. My first option is to take care of home, then church, then help others if needed…

My honest answer is neither.

I would give it to my church for missions projects

Well, at first I thought about myself.  Then God put it on my heart to reply with option number 1.  Part of being blessed is blessing someone else.  See as stated in the scenario below, I already have a job. Although I would like to pay off my debt, I could not help but think of the unfortunate.  So, I would help those in poverty rather than help myself.  There is so much more joy in that.

Regarding your question, I would say that it would matter to me who this fictitious person or institution is - giving away the 1 million.
Say it was some kind of settlement or government refund of some sort.  In that case I would be much more inclined to use it up for personal/family use (pay off bills, better car, kids’ college, etc). Then I would give some away (to missionaries, Christian charities, etc.)
If the gift was from say, a wealthy Christian person, I would revert the priorities more. I would be more willing & ready to give a greater amount of it away to worthy causes, more aligned to the giver’s wishes. 

~ The whole point of this is for you so see yourself and know your heart. The bible tells us that we are to prepare and be ready for his return, and knowing your heart is the best place to start. (Matthew 5:8 & 24:44). Be Blessed..!