The Richest Man I Know

The richest man I know is a self-made man. Many years ago, he and his brothers started a business on a wing and a prayer, worked the insane hours associated with a start-up, and slowly grew a thriving retail business.

Three years after the birth of his oldest son, the richest man I know experienced a revelation: While he was at work, his wife was advised by their three year-old son that he wanted to go to the building with the “poink and light” on top… which is “three-speak” for the place with the steeple. Their son reiterated his point by using a blanket and a rocking chair to build a shelter over his toys, and telling his Mom to “come and see my church.” When my friend came home, his wife told him of the event… and together they decided to honor their son’s request. And so a child led them to God’s House.

Nine years later, the unimaginable happened: That same son was struck by a stray bullet while on a hike. The bullet came out of nowhere and struck their son in the head, the shooter unknown. When in the hospital, in pain and unable to care for himself, their child demonstrated a level of manners and love that most children struggle to maintain during a one hour dinner. His grace exemplified his faith in God, and God’s love for him. This child, a mere boy, introduced both visitors and hospital staff to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ… then slipped free the bonds of this earthy existence, to be in Paradise with the Savior he knew so well.

My friend, the richest man I know, did not respond like I would have. He and his wife and the rest of their children looked harder and deeper into the life of Jesus Christ, and the message that so blessed their lost son. They prayed, and studied, and received the comfort they needed. No, even today they do not know why… they simply know an answer awaits them when they are re-united with their child.

Four years after the loss of his son, the richest man I know built (with his own two hands) a home on Johns Island for his wife and two other children. And in time they decided to buy a country place near Branchville, where the North and South Branch meet to form the Edisto. On this land he built a small bunkhouse… a place that would not only house his family during their retreats there, but hundreds of guests in the years to come.

To say that the richest man I know is generous with his hunting preserve is laughably insufficient. It is a place where three strangers, all with keys, might run into each other as they arrive to bed down for the night, without the owner within 50 miles of the place. Three strangers, who will soon be good friends, bound by their love of hunting, and the Christian hospitality of a mutual friend.

The entrance to my friend’s place has a sign that boasts the scripture Jeremiah 29:11. Since I’m no Biblical scholar, I asked him the inspiration for the sign, and what the scripture said. He explained to me that, as a younger man, he found himself constantly worrying… not only about things he had no control over, but things that weren’t even a cause for worry. He laughingly told me he worried about the business failing, when the biggest problem was keeping up with its growth. He told me prayed over the problem, and the Lord told him to read Jeremiah 29:11.

“Was that a verse you were familiar with?” I asked.

“I didn’t even know,” he replied, “that Jeremiah had 29 chapters.”

The passage, he explained, says, “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (New International Version of The Bible). Needless to say, this encounter with God helped put things into perspective for my friend.

I should also tell you that the richest man I know is a Man’s man. Not only is he an accomplished hunter, but he enjoys a splash of good whiskey, he’s quick to laugh, and he’s clearly the guy in charge if he chooses to be. He is a man who loves and respects his wife, and his eyes light up when the opportunity to talk about her accomplishments comes up. If you are in residence when he’s at his country place, he cooks every meal… hearty meals of the sort that men ate back when flavor took precedence over trans-fatty acid content.

When he prays, which he does before every meal, he speaks aloud in a voice that one can’t help but feel God enjoys hearing… a voice that testifies to his confidence in God, and his belief that God will hear his prayers for plentiful game and the safety of his fellow hunters. And when a brand-new hunter takes their first deer on his land, as so many have, he ignores the age-old tradition of bloodying the hunter, but instead insists that they pray over the deer, in order to thank God for the privilege of taking such a noble animal.

The richest man I know is also an accomplished prayer warrior. He and his wife led our mission trip to the Ukraine last year, and his upbeat attitude and commitment to service inspired the rest of the team every day. The trip was, in my opinion, fairly hard work, and I found myself pretty well spent at the end of each day. My friend, 25 years my senior, never once let on the slightest sign of discomfort or exhaustion, as he and his wife set an example every hour that the rest of us worked to keep up with. Upon our return from the Ukraine, he and his wife have continued their work there… the kind of work with several zeroes involved. And through this generosity, the God continues to spread His Gospel.

The richest man I know credits the Lord and his wife for every success he’s enjoyed in this life. And I believe that if you took it all away from him tomorrow, and he had simply a roof over his head and three squares a day, it would be enough. He would continue to serve, and he would continue to thank God for the blessings he receives. He is one of the few people I know wise enough to truly understand the words “we come into this world naked, and naked we leave it.” Because to my friend, money has nothing to do with riches.

One day the richest man I know will be even richer—It will be when he hears the Lord of Lords say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” If you already know my friend, you figured out this column several paragraphs ago. If you don’t, keep your eyes open—If you’re lucky, you might meet him.

Or perhaps someone like him.

Or best of all, you might become someone like him.