Transformation Exemplified |
Nov 16, 2009 |
The perfect story of transformation is chronicled in an impactful little book called “The Ultimate Gift.” Written by Jim Stovall, this little story focuses on Jason Stevens, a person in desperate need of a transformed life. And he finds it in a most unexpected and surprising way.
Jason is the spoiled grandson of a wealthy billionaire, who never worked a day in his life, spent his time and money on women and things, enjoying all the luxuries this life could afford him. His uncles, aunts, cousins and even his mother, had fallen into this rich and privileged lifestyle, often fighting over money and showing their greed before their compassion. They really were a sad sight for the representation of a family.
Upon the death of Jason’s wealthy grandfather, Jason learned, much to his disappointment, that his grandfather hadn’t left much of his wealth to his own children, but decided that if anyone in this family still had a chance at a meaningful life, it was Jason. Expecting cash, Jason was horrified to learn that his grandfather had left him “lessons” to be learned instead of a true inheritance. Through videos left at the time of his death, his grandfather embarked on a year long odyssey to teach Jason valuable life lessons which would redeem him as a person and make him into the man his grandfather had hoped he would become.
From being summoned to a Texas ranch to learn the value of hard work, to needing to find one true friend, to having to give away money to someone in need, to losing all his earthly possessions, and nearly losing his life in the jungles of Ecuador, Jason comes through these “lessons” with the approval of the estates’ executor to find that his grandfather leaves him the bulk of his over $2 billion fortune.
Jason had finally received the money he had been waiting and hoping for. But what overshadowed this amazing inheritance was that Jason had truly been transformed in the process and had received the ultimate gift, the gift of a new life. Jason was forever a changed man and he credited his grandfather for caring enough about him as a person and having the foresight to plan this gift out to the last detail.
Following a month of Planned Giving workshops, I now see this gift as The Ultimate Planned Gift -- an ancestor passing on much more than material wealth, which will have a lasting and generational impact on Jason and his heirs for all eternity.
It’s not too late to attend one of MIF’s November labs on Planned Giving. See our website for dates and times in your area.
