The very first person to reach the status of a billionaire was a man who knew how to set goals and follow through. At the age of 23, Rockefeller had become a millionaire and, by the age of 50, a billionaire. Every decision, attitude, and relationship was tailored to create his personal power and wealth.
Rockefeller was a faithful member of a Baptist church all of his life. From his very first paycheck, he gave 10% to his church. He taught Sunday school and was a trustee. Rockefeller thought they had it all, but the truth was that Christ did not have all of him.
Three years later, at the age of 53, he became ill. His entire body became wracked with pain and he lost all the hair on his head. In complete agony, the world’s only billionaire could buy anything he wanted, but he could only digest milk and crackers. His physicians predicted he would die within a year.
As he approached death, he awoke one morning with the remembrances of a dream. It had something to do with not being able to take anything with him into the next life. The man who could control the business world suddenly realized he had not really honored God with his wealth. He was left with a choice.
He called his attorneys, accountants and managers, announcing that he wanted to channel his assets to hospitals, research and mission work. This new direction eventually led to the discovery of penicillin, cures for current strains of malaria, tuberculosis and diphtheria. The list of discoveries resulting from his choice is enormous.
Rockefeller also gave considerable donations to Denison University and other Baptist colleges. Rockefeller gave $80 million to the University of Chicago, turning a small Baptist college into a world-class institution by 1900. He also gave a grant to the American Baptist Missionaries foreign mission board, the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society in establishing Central Philippine University, the first Baptist and second American university in Asia, in 1905 in the Philippines.
His General Education Board, founded in 1903, was established to promote education at all levels everywhere in the country. In keeping with the historic missions of the Baptists, it was especially active in supporting black schools in the South. Rockefeller also provided financial support to such established eastern institutions as Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Brown, Wellesley and Vassar. His giving to medical research revolutionized the study of medicine in the United States.
It looked as if he would have died at 53, but he lived to be 98. Rockefeller learned that he who is given much, much is expected. The man who thought he had it all realized that it is best to give—to first give his all to Christ. And look at the blessing it became to the kingdom of God in the world.
You don’t know the blessing you will be to the world when you give your all to Christ. Your resources might be small compared to John D Rockefeller’s, but you can make a big impact on the world anyway. Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.
Listen to Pastor Jack’s sermons on the way to church every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on 98.9 WSIP FM. To read more of Pastor Jack Ward’s articles and hear his sermons at Tomahawk Missionary Baptist Church go to tomahawkmbc.com. Watch his sermons on his Facebook page. Find him on Rumble, Bitchute and Brighteon video platforms.