I once watched a show called Secret Millionaire while channel surfing. Not
a show I would normally watch, or stay up for, but it caught my attention. The
premise is a millionaire goes undercover in a poverty stricken neighborhood.
They don't tell who or what they are, but grow into the situation. And they
find many people doing so much with so little, and find out that although they
are rich in money, or valuables, they are poor in values. Something we all can
relate to, only pride keeps us from a full disclosure. But at the end, they
come clean, and admit who they are, and give these "good Samaritans" money to
carry on with their works. To aid in their cause, and many times it is a
blessing. I tend to look between the lines, and see the real problem, or how
money doesn't always solve problems-just look at our Federal Government. It
takes a heart, and a vision, that these people may or may not know they have to
minister, and a reliance upon God-who just like the rains, His grace falls on
the just and the unjust.
I have known people over the years who have had rich relatives, the
proverbial rich uncle. Who in times of need has always been there. Benevolent,
caring, and loving-checkbook in hand. I have had the benefit of being given
when needed, and blessed abundantly by family, friends, and others. Really
blessed when I came to know that all blessings come from God-sometimes they just
take different routes, and different messengers. But the source is always the
same-God! So why do we look for the proverbial rich uncle, or to the
benevolence of suffering friends, when we have a rich father we can go to at any
time?
When God gave me a vision for ministry years ago, He promised to meet all
my needs. When advised by others in ministry to send out support letters, God
told me no. He said "if you ask for it, it is not a gift. And I like to give
good gifts." And so He has, we do more with less than ever before, and continue
to do so to this day. When I was sick and had open heart surgery, God provided
even before we could ask-or pray. Although this caught us by surprise, it was
no surprise to God, and He still meets all our needs. When Theresa mentioned we
would need a place to stay, a friend told her of another friend with a house we
could use-free! Pat called it"God's House" and was blessed we could take
advantage of it. Not knowing she was a secret millionaire. When Tina put us on
a prayer list, we know her in Escondido, but was living in Phoenix, a friend in
Tennessee saw it, called her friend in Albuquerque, and they brought us meals.
And then another friend of hers did also. More secret millionaires-and blessed
servants of God. From the man who rented us a car, and waived the $250 drop off
fee to the pharmacist who gave us the New Mexico resident discount-saving us
over $200, these secret millionaires were put in the right place at the right
time by God. In some cases when our needs were known, we had to use discretion
on which offer to take-such is our loving God.
So to all you secret millionaires out there, a huge thanks. Our
prayer-that you were as blessed giving as we were receiving. So take
heart-which now has a much deeper meaning to me, and allow God to meet your
needs. He wants to, and through Jesus all things will be met according to His
riches and glory. Let Him decide how to meet the need-but be willing to accept
the way He shows you. As we learned His resources are boundless, and came from
many people we never had met or would not have expected. Sadly some we had
expected to help, never answered the call. We also learned that "call me if you
need anything" took the person to answer the phone when we called. Not so with
God. From Dal driving Theresa to Albuquerque-only 250 miles that night, to
Pastor Pat giving great counsel, and having his ministry offer us a car, to the
hospital and the free motel rooms, PJ of PJ's Triumph, and so many other little
things we saw from God's hand, we not only renewed our faith, but stepped into
obedience-and the blessings continue.
But you must let them. Like salvation, which is by grace, to fully
experience God's grace you must trust Him. Then you must obey-no matter what
your past experiences tell you-don't lean on your own understanding of a
situation. Look to the cross-where the victory was won, and rejoice in it! And
watch as the story of Jesus Christ becomes real in your life, and a part of your
life. Don't ever say no to God, or to a secret millionaire He has sent to bless
you. You not only rob yourself of the blessing, but rob those also who choose
to bless you-in obedience to God!
So to all of you who love God-thanks for being a secret millionaire. Bet
you didn't know you were. And remember, it doesn't always mean money-letters
from inmates who missed my letters when I was sick were a priceless blessing.
Phone calls, e-mails, and messages from some who I haven't seen in 25-40 years
meant more than a big bank account. So let your richness shine through in love,
just like Jesus does. Who by the way owned nothing-remember He had to borrow
food, to bless others, rode on a borrowed donkey into Jerusalem, and even was
laid in a borrowed tomb. But what He gave could not be measured in dollars. So
don't you either-the riches of Jesus in you are just waiting to pay a
dividend-let them! Maybe today is the day that we see you as that "secret
millionaire" that God so lovingly provides to meet someone else's need.
According to His riches and glory....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25bike.blogspot.com
