By Fylvia Fowler Kline, Assistant Director, General Conference Stewardship
Summary: I am not ready to go into a business transaction with someone I know nothing about. But a partnership with God is risk-free, worry-free. Millions worldwide testify to the miraculous power of this partnership.
It caught my eye. It was a full-page, color advertisement. I absolutely must have it, I said to no one in particular, as I envisioned myself looking 15 years younger. It was a strange looking thing with electrical wires and discs. The detailed description of this product ended with a claim, a promise, and a guarantee.
The Claim: Stick the discs on any part of your body, turn on the switch, and let the discs work your muscles without any help from you--Just a few minutes were equivalent to 300 sit-ups. The Promise: You will be slimmer and trimmer in 30 days or less. The Guarantee: Try it for 30 days. If you’re not satisfied, you’ll get your money back.
In spite of the promise and the guarantee, I have not purchased it yet. You see, I don’t know anything about the company, I don’t know of anyone who is slimmer because of it, and I don’t know if this company keeps its promises. I am not ready to go into a business transaction, be it 30 days or one single day, with someone I know nothing about. Besides, what if the quacky thing sucks a hole into me? The risk is too great.
This issue of Dynamic Steward explores partnership with God--risk-free, worry-free. Millions worldwide testify to the miraculous power of this partnership. Besides, God’s promise is the best guarantee you could ever have! In the lead article, Reid points out that, in this partnership, we work with a firm where God Himself registers our names in the books of heaven. Maxson, in the Concept section, reminds us that partnership with God is a gift--I do not earn it. I only accept it, claim His promise, and live out a life of adventure in God’s grace and love--moment by moment, day by day.
What a gift. What a guarantee. Without the risk!
