No, I didn't win $35 million nor am I giving $35 million away. I am taking a class at church from the Crown Financial Ministries. It focuses on finances from a biblical perspective. One of the chapters we just finished in our workbook is entitled "Perspective". There was a point made in the chapter that success is meaningless apart from serving God. As I read on, they mentioned King Solomon, who is the author of Ecclesiates. It made mention to the fact that King Solomon had an annual income of more than $35 million. My mind began to wonder. $35 million a year. What could I do with that? I guess the real question would be what couldn't I do? I read on, the author noted what Solomon concluded of his riches: "Vanity of all vanites...all is vanity (Ecclesiastes 12:8)" The author goes on to state that NOTHING can replace the value of our relationship with the Lord.

I was reminded of a conversation that'd taken place during one of the classes, about how there was a guy who tithed 90% of his income and lived off of the remaining 10%. I did the math of tithing 90% of $35 million. There'd still be more than 3 million dollars a year left to live on! But for some people that still wouldn't be good enough. I still think it's crazy when I see people spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on cars, clothes.... I mean seriously, there are kids who aren't eating. People struggling. How could I justify a hundred thousand dollar car even if I could afford it? To each his own but I'm saying. There are so many other things more important than what type of car I drive. My Mom says that if I ever had that much money, a hundred thousand dollar car wouldn't be a thing. Who knows?

So, basically, that brings me to my next point which was also mentioned in the workbook. God, in His infinite wisdom, knows exactly how much he can entrust to us at anytime without it harming us. This also ties into learning to be content with what I have. I say $35 million wouldn't change me, that my fellowship with the Lord wouldn't be affected but I don't really know that. I'm still human and with $35 million there are going to be some human moments for sure. God knows this too. Sometimes, we think we can fool Him by making claims we won't change or by promising that we'll do this or that with the money "for the kingdom". He knows whether we will or won't. I'm really grateful that he doesn't give me everything I want.

I started thinking about that $35 million and I started to picture myself walking with the Lord. He's showing me what my life would be like, right now, if he were to give me those millions and explains why he hasn't. Not to say that he won't someday but he knows that right now I'm still growing in faith and would not be ready to handle that kind of responsibilty. If I can't show that I'm a good steward over the things that I have right now why would I be any better with more? These are things that I sometimes overlook and it helps put things back into perspective. $35 million would be nice right about now but not if it's going to cost me eternity.