“I see life as both a gift and a responsibility. My responsibility is to use what God has given me to help his people in need.”—Millard Fuller
Who is Millard Fuller? Good question...He is the founder of Habitat for Humanity. I was watching The Today Show and all last week they were building houses through HFH for the Hurricane victims. This morning, they presented a family with the keys to what will soon be their new home. I believe it is a wonderful organization and I have on a few occasions been able to help build one of these homes. YES! There is a family who has a window installed by yours truly and some nails holding up the roof. Scary thought, right?
Anyway, I have heard the story of Mr. Millard Fuller awhile back and I thought it would be interesting to share. Here's the link to the entire aritlce but I wanted to provide an excerpt:
http://www.habitat.org/how/millard.aspx
A Life Changed by God:
From humble beginnings in Alabama, Millard Fuller rose to become a young, self-made millionaire. A graduate of Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., and the University of Alabama Law School at Tuscaloosa, he and a college friend began a marketing firm while still in school. Fuller’s business expertise and entrepreneurial drive made him a millionaire at age 29. But as the business prospered, his health, integrity and marriage suffered.These crises prompted Fuller to re-evaluate his values and direction. His soul-searching led to reconciliation with his wife and to a renewal of his Christian commitment.
The Fullers then took a drastic step: They decided to sell all of their possessions, give the money to the poor and begin searching for a new focus for their lives. This search led them to Koinonia Farm, a Christian community located near Americus, Ga., where people were looking for practical ways to apply Christ’s teachings. The Seed Is Planted With Koinonia founder Clarence Jordan and a few others, the Fullers initiated several partnership enterprises, including a ministry in housing. They built modest houses on a no-profit, no-interest basis, thus making homes affordable to families with low incomes. Homeowner families were expected to invest their own labor into the building of their home and the houses of other families. This reduced the cost of the house, increased the pride of ownership and fostered the development of positive relationships. Money for building was placed into a revolving fund, enabling the building of even more homes.
The bible says the following about money.
Matthew 6:24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. (NIV)
This verse pretty much explains why Mr. Fuller's, while becoming rich, life was taking a turn for the worse. I know what some of yall are thinking? If his marriage was on the rocks, why didn't he just leave? That is the easy way out and I think he realized what was most important in his life and it wasn't the money. Oh but I wonder how hard it was for them to sell all they had. Despite what has been said, being a true Christian is not for wimps! What did Jesus ask the rich man to do? But he couldn't do it.
Mark 10: 20 - 25 - 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Kudos, Mr. Fuller for being obediant! For the skeptics, I must say the benefits and rewards of his actions, speak for themselves. http://www.habitat.org/
Next time you forsake what you hold nearest and dearest, whether it be family, friends, or your morals, to earn an extra dime, remember Millard Fuller and this piece of scripture:
1 Timothy 6:10 - For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (KJV)
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