Insight for the Journey

Bill Borden was an outstanding young leader and athlete at Yale.  When he was 25 years of age he inherited well over a million dollars.  His parents were part of the famous Borden Dairy Products family.  That was in 1912.  In today’s currency that would probably be over 100 millions dollars.  But he gave everything away.  He gave it all away! 

He had become a Christian as a young man, and had been feeling an increasing sense of call to China as a missionary.  He wasn’t married and lived an unpretentious lifestyle, so he said, “I don’t need much money on the mission field.”  He carefully calculated to give all his money away. 

100,000 dollars went to National Bible Institute.

100,000 dollars to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.

250,000 dollars to the China Inland Mission, with 100,000 to be invested and the interest used for a retirement fund for missionaries.

He gave more to other Christ-centered causes.  And then, Bill Borden, when he had given all his money away, headed overseas.  Within a few months he was dead!  He contracted meningitis in Cairo and died.

Most people in this world, if evaluating Borden’s life would conclude, “What a waste!”  I beg to differ.  Sure, if he had hoarded the money and continued living a “safe” life he might have died of old age.  Then he could have passed it on to distant relatives who would have fought over it or wasted it or hoarded it up, and what good would it have been?

But why would Borden make such a radical move and give it all away?  I’ll tell you…

People became more important than things.

Eternity was more important than time.

Christ was more important than his own selfish desires.

When he died they found among his possessions a poem that Bill’s mother had given him when he was seventeen years of age.  He kept it with him all the time because it meant so much to him.  It sums up how he viewed life.

Just as I am Thine own to be

Friend of the One who lovest me.

To consecrate myself to thee

Oh, Jesus Christ I come.

In the glad mornings of my days

My life to give, my vows to pay.

With no reserve and no delay

With all my heart I come.

I would live ever in the light

I would work ever for the right

I would serve thee with all my might

Therefore I come to thee.

Just as I am, young, strong and free

To be the best that I can be

For truth and righteousness and thee

Lord of my life I come.

A wasted life?  I don’t think so.  I’d say Bill Borden died a winner.  He got it!  He fully understood that he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

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I just walked out to the sanctuary and saw how Garry Barton had decorated it with a patriotic theme to go with the 4^th of July.  It looks great! 

But I immediately thought of all the people in our society who are a bit negative about America.  They would never wave an American flag, never sport a red, white and blue T-shirt, and certainly not want a sanctuary to be decked with the stars and stripes.

It is popular to be embarrassed about this country.  Comedians rip the president.  Historians re-write history.  Many teachers teach that we should be ashamed of our role in history.

I’ve often been asked what I think about the good ole US of A.  So let me briefly tell you.  I’m thankful for this country.  Yes.  Its history is laced with episodes that are not worthy of praise.  It has always had some leaders in high positions who are scoundrels.  American politicians have sometimes made unwise decisions regarding international policies.  Our current economic position is deplorable.  I could lengthen this list considerably.

But all of these things could be said of other countries as well.

I am thankful for this country because it began with a lofty, ideal view of what a society could be.  And although we have only glimpsed that idealism momentarily, it remains a worthy goal.  I love this country because it allows me to still worship the God revealed in the Christian Bible with freedom of conscience. 

I am thankful for this country because it is my home, and yes, I am proud to be an American.

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