Not too long ago the mega-millions lottery had reached its highest jackpot ever.  A whopping 380 million dollars! I couldn’t watch TV without seeing an ad for it, or hearing a news anchor make mention of it.  I’m not a gambler, so I don’t usually pay too much attention to these things, but this lottery was different for me.  As I sat on the sofa sipping my morning coffee, I started thinking about the Dream Center in Los Angeles, and all that it does to get people off the streets and give them hope.  Then I thought of a young lady that I’ve ministered to who dreams of one day starting a Dream Center in Washington DC.  I continued to think about the billion people around the world that don’t have clean drinking water, and the thousands of people who die every day from diseases caused by filthy water.  I was so overwhelmed, thinking about all the organizations and individuals who could benefit from 380 million dollars that I decided I would buy a lottery ticket.

I had never purchased a lottery ticket before, so I had to Google it first.  After doing my research, I quickly got dressed and drove to the nearest gas station, shaking from nervousness the entire way.  Once it was official, I spent the rest of the day dreaming about what it would be like to receive over 12.5 million dollars a year, for the next 30 years.  I began to imagine how incredible it would be to give myself the same salary I make now and find ways to give the rest of the money away.  I dreamed about traveling every year to find worthy causes and people who could benefit from my wealth.  I became overly emotional thinking about traveling from one country to the next, digging wells for communities that need them, and maybe even being the person who would purchase the building to be used as the next Dream Center.

Although I did not win the lottery that day, I did learn something about myself.  I have a God-given passion to give!  Whether it’s giving someone my time, helping with a project, cooking and opening up my home for people, or giving money to help a cause…I am always moved with compassion to give.  I have never been able to watch a video about orphans or impoverished people without losing it emotionally.  There have also been occasions when I have seen a homeless person on the street and had to stop and buy a grocery gift card because of a prompting in my spirit to help.  Even if I’m not a millionaire, I don’t think I will ever lose this passion to give.  I will always do what I can with what I have, and never stop dreaming of doing something GREAT!

Isaiah 58 says, “Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?… if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will become like noonday…You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail…you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwelling.”

This scripture from Isaiah is such a perfect example of what the Lord expects from each us.  We don’t have to be wealthy millionaires to do great things.  Each of us has unique gifts and resources, and it’s up to us to do something great with what we have been given.  I love the promise at the end of this scripture…we will shine as bright as the afternoon sun…we will be blessed forever and because of our faithfulness, the broken will be mended and restored.  It excites me to imagine myself as the person described in this scripture.  This scripture isn’t just talking to me and the presidents of World Vision, Samaritan Purse, and Compassion International… It’s for all of us! 

What is something GREAT that you will do?