One of my jobs as Director of Sky Ranch became fund-raising. As I visited committed or prospective donors, I come to know a variety of people. Sometimes these visits took surprising turns.

One afternoon I went to meet with a financially successful business man, a Christian. I could see instantly that he was not happy. He welcomed me – then turned away and looked out his window. Nothing was said for what seemed to be an eternity. When he turned back to me, he managed a weak smile. After another quiet stretch I asked him if he would like to talk about what was troubling him.

He then dumped the whole load.

He started his monologue with “It is wrong! It is just wrong!!! I gave $100,000 to a Christian organization, and they act as if I did something special – and now they treat me as if I am a special person. I am not special – that $100,000 really cost me nothing! Nothing!”

“The people who are really special are those who give generously out of what little they have! They are the special people, not me.”

His face was so sad. What I wanted to do was to take a step forward and give him a huge hug! He understood. He got it right.

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two farthings, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They gave out of their wealth, but she, out of her poverty, put in everything she had to live on” — Mark 12:41-44

This man lived in partnership with God’s people – In Partnership With God.