The author of God’s Little Devotional Book tells a wonderful story about the Argentine professional golfer Roberto de Vincenzo, a name I remember from long ago on a TV show called Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf. Memory lane seems to be one of my best walking paths.
de Vincenzo had just won a golf tournament, received a substantial winner’s check and was loading his clubs into his car in the parking lot when he was approached by a young woman who told him that her young daughter was seriously ill and that if the child did not receive an operation, she would die. Without hesitating, the golfer pulled a pen out of his pocket, endorsed the winner’s check over to the woman, and placed it in her hand. Her smile was beautiful as she turned and walked away.
A couple of days later, one of de Vincenzo’s friends, having heard about Roberto’s amazing generosity, called him on the phone and said: “What did you do? The woman who took your money is a fraud. There is no sick child.” The caller waited through a silent moment, waited for de Vincenzo’s eruption of anger, and he almost dropped the phone when he heard these words: “That’s the best news I heard in a long time.”
How you and I hear that story and respond to it says a lot about both of us. What if I gain everything and lose my soul? Generosity requires risk. Yes, Jesus. I hear you.
Shining Spirit 
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