It’s an amazing thing what you can learn while sharing a cup of tea.
Samuel Balachander (Bala) lives in Bangalore, India. He is the Executive Director of Emerging Young Leaders International (EYL) – a rapidly growing and effective ministry to young people throughout India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. Bala has been a good friend and strong encourager of International Steward from almost the beginning.
Bala was my guest in Chattanooga, Tennessee just a few days ago. I had numerous questions for him about EYL. I want to discern how this ministry could expand so rapidly in his part of the world. So I brewed some good India tea and we sat down to talk.
Bala told me: “Dick, I will never forget the first International Steward workshop I attended many years ago! I was shaken by a fundamental but astounding reality taught in this workshop: ‘God owns everything. I own nothing!’”
“For the very first time in my life,” Bala continued, “I realized that I am but a steward – a manager – of all the things God has entrusted to me – my family – my ministry – even the land and home I had inherited from my parents – prized family possessions that have been passed down from family to family for many generations. The more I reflected about it, the more I realized that I had to act upon this gripping biblical truth: ‘God owns everything. I own nothing!’”
“But it was not easy. I had many restless nights. For months I awoke at 2 or 3 am. These words kept echoing in my mind and heart: ‘God owns everything. I own nothing!’ Then it became clear: I must give this property and home to EYL! But how was I to tell my wife and children? Give away the very possessions that validates my family? Would I be robbing my family of its ‘rightful’ inheritance? Or would I be robbing God? Even the Board of Trustees of EYL told me not to be ‘hasty’ about this idea. More and more, however, it became clearer and clearer. ‘God owns everything. I own nothing!’ I must give the family property and home to EYL.”
I poured us another cup of tea, added the “required” milk and sugar, and then Bala continued, “With great fear, I approached my wife and two sons. I told them that it had become clear that I should give our family’s land and property to the ministry of EYL. To my amazement, they agreed! There was no resistance – no hesitation. So we gave our property and home to EYL and turned it into the International Headquarters and Training Center. What an exciting – and scary time!”
“Then,” Bala explained, “EYL experienced unprecedented growth – across India – then into Myanmar – Sri Lanka – Singapore – Thailand! Staff has been added, hundreds of volunteers work each week with many more looking for ways to become involved in the ministry. Most importantly, thousands of young people are being developed into maturing, spiritual leaders – preparing to lead in the 21st century!”
“Dick, this is all because of a simple truth: ‘God owns everything. I own nothing!’ Thank you, International Steward! Keep going and teaching this profound truth!”
Thank you, Bala! For what you do with what you know is what Christian knowing is all about!
Pray for International Steward, as we continue to let the world know, ‘God owns everything. I own nothing!’
Peace and joy as you, too, excel in the grace of giving.
Dick
