Pursuing a generous lifestyle
From a video by Faith Driven Investor
Dana Wichterman received a unexpected inheritance from her father 20 years after his death. For Dana, the sizeable wealth event "destabilized and confused" her. Though she and her husband, Bill, had lived below their financial means for years, Dana wondered if their hearts were in the right place when it came to money. So she and Bill decided to use this opportunity to wake up and pursue a joyfully generous lifestyle. Here is their abridged story:
I (Bill) started as a missionary out of college to Turkish guest workers in West Berlin Germany. I went there out a sense of a conviction but not desire. I really wanted to get into politics - that was my real desire. The Lord really gave me liberty to come back to Washington DC and I was in politics deeply for about 20 years, in the House, the Senate and as a White House special assistant to the president of the United States.
I loved doing that until my wife, Dana said she could not take my career anymore and so I said, okay, if you're not equipped then neither am I.
About 12 years ago, I (Dana) got an inheritance through the sale of some land from my father that I had not expected. It was quite large. We already had a growing pot of resources because of being committed to living below our means. I just thought that's a responsible way to live. Then this inheritance came in and it destabilized and confused me.
It was a source of joy for my husband but for me, it caused questions such as; How do I live? What kind of decisions do I make? Decisions that sometimes seem minute and silly. I think you can have some wrong views of money. I think what it does lull you to sleep. It's an area that you could unleash so much of the Holy Spirit's power in your life to actually do good in the world and leave this a better place.
I had a very underdeveloped and immature view of wealth. I knew that wealth was dangerous. I didn't know and appreciate how much it can be used for good. I hadn't really worked out how that practically looks like in every sphere of my life.
For example, how do you be hospitable with your resources? I grew up thinking you shouldn't have guests that scratch your floors or spill wine on your carpet. What I've learned is that hospitality is is so crucial to the gospel that, when things happen, which is inevitable, I look at them as love scars. I even label it as love has happened here.
If we're honest with ourselves money tends to hold power over us. I think elements of giving really take away that power and it dethrones this control that money has over us. We're no longer afraid to let go of every penny. We get to experience this Joy of giving to others that we receive when we understand the gift so freely given to us.
When we look back on it, we realize it's not a sacrifice - we're not trading down but we're actually trading up into this life and this journey that's fully alive.
We were surprised by wealth and the question then became how do we use this wealth to honour God? That's not a simple question. There's no road map. We've had many open and frank conversations with other people who see all of our wealth on a page. We share notes on our spending e.g. holidays, restaurants, etc. We think together about what's honouring to God.
For most people, it's one of those areas where you're not supposed to talk about. It's private. Community has been transformative for us, as well as scripture, our prayers and through other Christians who are also seeking to live this out.
We had a kingdom adviser who walked us through our previous investments and helped us work out investments that we were comfortable with. It's also been very important to visit places, for example, a slum where there are entrepreneurs whose lives are being changed by comparative little money, services or equipment. Helping micro entrepreneurs to have more sustainable wealth and the dignity they have from that.
In a donor relationship, there is an imbalance that makes everyone feel awkward. Whereas, in an investor relationship, there is a more level playing field - much more of a partnership. Partners in making something beautiful, making something happen.
We see now that core to our calling are two things. One is using our own wealth to honour God but the other is inviting other people to use their wealth to honour God. If it was just about us, nobody's going to remember us in a generation but if we can invite other people into this space to find what it means to be faithful, joyful and obedient, we can change the world.
Watch the 18 min video here:
Retweet about this article:
From a video by Faith Driven Investor, 22/05/2024