I Do Not Remember Giving Five Million Dollars
Have you ever forgotten about a gift or a good work that you did for God?
Copyright 2003 Bruce S. Herwig
It is in the summer of 1979. I was an attorney on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ in the Charitable Giving Department. All US staff came together in the summer for staff training in Fort Collins, Colorado. I would bring my wife and three children. It was a wonderful time of refreshment, friends and inspiring talks by mighty men of God.
Often the Board of Directors would meet there and be debriefed by the heads of the many ministries in the US and around the world. On this occasion the Jesus film had recently been completed. The JESUS film which had been funded by Campus Crusade for Christ is a movie filmed and produced in the Middle East and North Africa. It is about the last three and one half years of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our Savior. It is true to the Book of Luke in the New Testament. Other than crowd noises and back-ground noises, every word Jesus speaks in the JESUS film is in the book of Luke. The producer of the JESUS film, as well as those that were played a major role in making this film possible were there for a special limited ceremony celebrating the completion the JESUS film.
The JESUS film would immediately have a significant impact on sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. As the passing years have proven, other than the Bible, the JESUS film would become the greatest evangelistic tool the Christian world has ever used. The JESUS film would eventually be translated and lip synced into over 1150 languages and increasing monthly. Since this is the word of God and is often the only film in the heart language of a people, the impact to the people who see Jesus speak in their own language is very powerful. Every eight seconds, somewhere in the world, another person indicates a decision to follow Christ after watching the JESUS film. The New York Times wrote that the film JESUS is the most watch motion picture ever produced.
Now every service oriented Christian missionary organization would have the opportunity to become evangelistic by simply showing the JESUS film in the native language as those they were to serve waited to be seen by doctors, nurses or others. The word of God pierces the hearts of many. Many conversions to Christ, as Lord and Savior, occur during and after the film is shown. I personally
was in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon and saw the JESUS films and screens at the headquarters of the “Wings of God”, a Christian organization that flies missionaries to and from the remote villages in the Amazon jungle. This ministry also flies out the injured and sick for medical treatment and also drops off food and medicine in times of emergencies. When I asked how the JESUS film had changed their organization, the director told me that now when the sun sets, the pilots and workers show the Jesus Film in the remote villages. They have seen many conversions to Christ. Also, they allow students who are on a school break, to use the films to be shown in the inner city slums as well as in remote villages.
During the ceremony, John Heyman, the producer, a Jewish man, told of his original vision for this film and how he had contacted the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ Founder, Dr. Bill Bright and how Dr. Bright had believed in the potential of such a film. As a result, Dr. Bright had committed to raise the funds for the production and editing and distribution of the film. A few powerful minutes of the JESUS film were shown. Then Dr. Bright said that Bunker and his wife, Caroline, had initially donated three and one-half million dollars to jump start the production of the Jesus Film. This amount soon grew to over five million dollars before JESUS film was finished. Dr. Bright then asked Bunker Hunt, from Dallas, Texas to come to the stage. Dr. Bright told us that without the gift of five million dollars and other financial considerations from Bunker and his wife, Caroline, the JESUS film would never have become a reality. A special plaque was then handed to Bunker. Bunker, who along with his brothers, Herbert and Lamar, were very wealthy and owned many large cattle ranches, thoroughbred horses, oil wells and many other businesses. After Bunker had given this initial gift in 1977, he had lost several billion dollars of their substantial fortune when a major investment in silver went against him and his brother, Herbert.
A shy, humble, Bunker then spoke with a quiet voice the most amazing words: “To tell you the truth, I do not even remember giving the five million dollars. Giving the five million dollars back then was like giving fifty thousand dollars now. You just do not miss it.” Then Bunker gave loving credit to Caroline for her Christian life and encouragement with their involvement with the JESUS film and Campus Crusade for Christ. He said he wished he had done more to further evangelism. The audience was silent as they sensed what a tender heart and loving wife Bunker had.
When I heard Bunker say those words, I was totally shocked. I thought; how could someone not remember giving five million dollars or even fifty thousand dollars? Bunker may not have remembered giving that much money. However, he and Caroline did remember to store up their treasures in heaven. These investments in the JESUS film may be the most important investment, in heavenly terms, that he and Caroline have or will ever make. Thirty years later, God would take this generous gift and along with many other gifts from His people to have His word and His Truth spread around the world through the JESUS film so every tongue could hear and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
PS
When Caroline Hunt was interviewed Thirty-five years after she and Bunker donated the Five Million dollars for the production of the Jesus Film; this is what she said: “There are so few people who have the opportunity to do something for God. He’s so generous. He does so much for us. The God-stories I hear and get to tell are just endless. To be able to do something for God is a joy. Don’t miss the chance.”
POINTS TO PONDER:
ACTION POINTS:
Giving financially as well as your time, talents and efforts to Godly causes is sowing for the present and the future. Do not miss your chance to do something for God. Encourage others whenever you see someone perform action of kindness. Live a life that honors God and you will be light in this dark world. You can watch the JESUS film in your native language for free by simply going to www.jesusfilm.org.
Watch it now! Who do you know should watch it? Invite those to watch it with you.
SCRIPTURE:
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
II Corinthians 9:6-7 (NIV)
Do not withhold good from those that deserve it, when it is your power to act.
Proverbs 3:27 (NIV)
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
1Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)
Often the Board of Directors would meet there and be debriefed by the heads of the many ministries in the US and around the world. On this occasion the Jesus film had recently been completed. The JESUS film which had been funded by Campus Crusade for Christ is a movie filmed and produced in the Middle East and North Africa. It is about the last three and one half years of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our Savior. It is true to the Book of Luke in the New Testament. Other than crowd noises and back-ground noises, every word Jesus speaks in the JESUS film is in the book of Luke. The producer of the JESUS film, as well as those that were played a major role in making this film possible were there for a special limited ceremony celebrating the completion the JESUS film.
The JESUS film would immediately have a significant impact on sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. As the passing years have proven, other than the Bible, the JESUS film would become the greatest evangelistic tool the Christian world has ever used. The JESUS film would eventually be translated and lip synced into over 1150 languages and increasing monthly. Since this is the word of God and is often the only film in the heart language of a people, the impact to the people who see Jesus speak in their own language is very powerful. Every eight seconds, somewhere in the world, another person indicates a decision to follow Christ after watching the JESUS film. The New York Times wrote that the film JESUS is the most watch motion picture ever produced.
Now every service oriented Christian missionary organization would have the opportunity to become evangelistic by simply showing the JESUS film in the native language as those they were to serve waited to be seen by doctors, nurses or others. The word of God pierces the hearts of many. Many conversions to Christ, as Lord and Savior, occur during and after the film is shown. I personally
was in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon and saw the JESUS films and screens at the headquarters of the “Wings of God”, a Christian organization that flies missionaries to and from the remote villages in the Amazon jungle. This ministry also flies out the injured and sick for medical treatment and also drops off food and medicine in times of emergencies. When I asked how the JESUS film had changed their organization, the director told me that now when the sun sets, the pilots and workers show the Jesus Film in the remote villages. They have seen many conversions to Christ. Also, they allow students who are on a school break, to use the films to be shown in the inner city slums as well as in remote villages.
During the ceremony, John Heyman, the producer, a Jewish man, told of his original vision for this film and how he had contacted the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ Founder, Dr. Bill Bright and how Dr. Bright had believed in the potential of such a film. As a result, Dr. Bright had committed to raise the funds for the production and editing and distribution of the film. A few powerful minutes of the JESUS film were shown. Then Dr. Bright said that Bunker and his wife, Caroline, had initially donated three and one-half million dollars to jump start the production of the Jesus Film. This amount soon grew to over five million dollars before JESUS film was finished. Dr. Bright then asked Bunker Hunt, from Dallas, Texas to come to the stage. Dr. Bright told us that without the gift of five million dollars and other financial considerations from Bunker and his wife, Caroline, the JESUS film would never have become a reality. A special plaque was then handed to Bunker. Bunker, who along with his brothers, Herbert and Lamar, were very wealthy and owned many large cattle ranches, thoroughbred horses, oil wells and many other businesses. After Bunker had given this initial gift in 1977, he had lost several billion dollars of their substantial fortune when a major investment in silver went against him and his brother, Herbert.
A shy, humble, Bunker then spoke with a quiet voice the most amazing words: “To tell you the truth, I do not even remember giving the five million dollars. Giving the five million dollars back then was like giving fifty thousand dollars now. You just do not miss it.” Then Bunker gave loving credit to Caroline for her Christian life and encouragement with their involvement with the JESUS film and Campus Crusade for Christ. He said he wished he had done more to further evangelism. The audience was silent as they sensed what a tender heart and loving wife Bunker had.
When I heard Bunker say those words, I was totally shocked. I thought; how could someone not remember giving five million dollars or even fifty thousand dollars? Bunker may not have remembered giving that much money. However, he and Caroline did remember to store up their treasures in heaven. These investments in the JESUS film may be the most important investment, in heavenly terms, that he and Caroline have or will ever make. Thirty years later, God would take this generous gift and along with many other gifts from His people to have His word and His Truth spread around the world through the JESUS film so every tongue could hear and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
PS
When Caroline Hunt was interviewed Thirty-five years after she and Bunker donated the Five Million dollars for the production of the Jesus Film; this is what she said: “There are so few people who have the opportunity to do something for God. He’s so generous. He does so much for us. The God-stories I hear and get to tell are just endless. To be able to do something for God is a joy. Don’t miss the chance.”
POINTS TO PONDER:
- How would you have reacted to Bunker's statement?
- Have you ever done a good deed and not thought about it again until another mentioned it?
- Has a godly friend, family member, spouse or person ever asked you to do a good deed when you were not inclined to do it?
- Have you ever watched the JESUS film?
- Have you ever shared the JESUS film with non-believers?
ACTION POINTS:
Giving financially as well as your time, talents and efforts to Godly causes is sowing for the present and the future. Do not miss your chance to do something for God. Encourage others whenever you see someone perform action of kindness. Live a life that honors God and you will be light in this dark world. You can watch the JESUS film in your native language for free by simply going to www.jesusfilm.org.
Watch it now! Who do you know should watch it? Invite those to watch it with you.
SCRIPTURE:
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
II Corinthians 9:6-7 (NIV)
Do not withhold good from those that deserve it, when it is your power to act.
Proverbs 3:27 (NIV)
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
1Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)
