Living For Jesus
“For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 2:21
By the world’s standard William Borden was a failure. Some even called him a fool because they felt he had everything and just threw it away. He was from the very wealthy Borden family and his family had made millions in the milk business back at a time when money was scarce.
During his first year at Yale, William Borden heard a preacher speak passionately about the great needs of the world of Islam. Though Borden could have rationalized that by using his vast wealth, he could make a lasting contribution to the task of world missions, he decided that nothing would substitute for the gift of himself.
His goal in life changed. His values changed. He changed, and evidence of that was the fact that he gave away hundreds of thousands of dollars to various Christian organizations. Then he set out with singleness of heart and mind to serve God. Depriving himself of even owning an automobile, which he described as “an unjustifiable luxury,” he rode a bicycle so that none might accuse him of being better than they.
His goal was to reach the Muslim Kansu people of China, so he went first to Egypt so that he might learn Arabic, but he died only four months after his arrival from spinal meningitis. By this world’s standard, his life was wasted but not before God.
What some consider to be a wise investment of time and energy, in light of eternity is very foolish; and what some consider to be foolish is actually a wise investment.
Looking back over his life, sensing that he had missed God’s best, Saul, the first king of Israel cried, “I have played the fool!” 1 Samuel 27:21. He had foolishly wasted his life.
Six words were found penned in the back of William Borden’s Bible: “No reserves. No retreats. No regrets.”
His life was invested in eternity and he is counted among the greats who lived for the interest of Christ.