-Fools Live For Wealth!

No doubt, some, in this world, would consider William Borden a fool! Born into one of the wealthiest families, in America, he grew up the heir to a family fortune earned through real estate & the Borden’s Dairy Company. How many of you remember “Elsie” the Borden Dairy cow? Raised with the best, of everything, Borden’s father rewarded him with a trip around the world after completing high school. And, by God’s providence, he found himself, on a ship, with several missionaries bound for Asia. Moved by their zeal to take the Gospel to the lost, he wrote home: “Although I’ve never thought seriously about being a missionary… I think this trip is going to show me things in a new light.”

-A Heart Captured By Missions!

Upon his return, from the trip, he enrolled in college at Yale University. Hearing about a student convention, in Nashville, he attended, where he heard missionaries from 26 different countries speak on the subject of missions. One, in particular, captured his interest with his appeal for Muslim evangelism. He returned, to Yale, with a passion to reach Muslims with the Gospel. After graduating, from Yale, he finished seminary with his sites set on ministry to Asia. First, he would do language studies in Egypt. But, within weeks of his arrival in Cairo, he contracted meningitis & died! Bill Borden was only 25 years old. He left behind millions of dollars!

-No Reserve! No Retreat! No Regrets!

Some considered him a fool. But, under his pillow, was found a note, in his handwriting, that read: “NO RESERVE! NO RETREAT! NO REGRETS!” He died fulfilling the Law of Christ— he died “serving” others! He carried the burden of those lost without Christ! If we were honest, the majority of us would choose the wealth & the fame of this world over the toil of ministering— in obscurity— to a foreign country that might be hostile toward our faith. It takes the special work, of the indwelling Holy Spirit, to open our eyes to the true riches:  “NO RESERVE! NO RETREAT! NO REGRETS!” Bill Borden was infinitely MORE wealthy, after choosing to be a servant to others than he ever would have been had he lived out the American Dream! If he had lived for the riches, of this world, he would have left it all behind at death!

-Living For Eternal Wealth!

But, because Bill Borden lived for the eternal riches, obtained by faithful service to God and others, he gained ALL heaven’s riches as a joint-heir with Jesus! Pretty radical, right? I mean that would be the opinion shared by most people in this world, wouldn’t it? But, is it? To trade away the riches, that you can’t take with you, for eternal riches you can never lose! Jim Elliot, who died a martyr’s death at the hands of the Auca Indians in Ecuador, made a similar statement to Borden’s: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” If that’s RADICAL, then, let’s get RADICAL! God, deliver the church from the grip of the American Dream! Deliver us from the idolatry of “consumerism” & “covetousness” that it births in the heart; and, it’s “unholy spirit” to serve self!