Sharing Abundance

Jonathan was amazed at the exquisitely simple cabinetry he was appreciating in Zack’s workshop. “Why, young man, I have never seen such simple beauty, such a talent for bringing out the absolute magnificence of the natural wood. You are the most talented cabinet maker I have ever encountered. Why don’t I see more of your work around?” Jonathan inquired.

“Well, I just don’t have money for materials. What you see is just a bunch of things I put together from scrap for myself,” Zack replied dejectedly. “No one will give me a chance by selling me wood on credit.”

“I can fix that, Zack,” Jonathan exclaimed excitedly. “I have an endless supply of wood and it is my life joy to enable craftsmen to excel in their work. I will drop off a wagon-load of 100 boards tomorrow morning. All I ask is that you take the first ten boards and make some cabinets for that poor Logan family down the street from you.”

Zack agreed. “The first thing that I do will be to make some cabinets and deliver them to the Logans.”

Jonathan delivered as promised. When he visited Zack two weeks later, he was surprised to see all of the wood gone. “Once I started building cabinets, they sold as fast as I could build them,” Zack reported excitedly.

“Wonderful, Zack, I’ll bet the Logans were delighted to receive the first of such wonderful cabinets,” Jonathan bubbled.

“Uh, sorry, Jonathan, I got so busy I didn’t have time to build those cabinets,” Zack cringed. “But I have some money left from the cabinets I sold. I’ll go buy something nice for them.”

“No, Zack!” Jonathan was upset. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll bring you two wagonloads of wood since your work is so popular. All I ask is that you take care of the Logans, and then take 10 boards from the first wagon of 100 boards to help the Waltons with a new room for their infant, and take 10 boards from the second wagon of 100 boards and build a new bridge to help your neighbors get to market quicker.”

“Oh, yes, yes. No problem. First thing!” Zack promised.

Two weeks later, Jonathan returned to check on Zack. There was lots of noise from the workshop, but the door was locked. And on the door was a note, “Do not disturb. Very busy. Jonathan, please leave four wagon-loads of wood.” Jonathan was ecstatic for Zack’s success.

On his way home, Jonathan stopped by to see the work Zack had done for the Logan’s. “Zack? Zack who?” asked Sally Logan. “No one has been around with any cabinets for us.” So Jonathan followed the path to the new footbridge to check in on the Waltons. He had to take a detour because apparently Zack had not gotten around to building the new bridge, either. When he got to the Waltons, Jonathan looked forward to seeing the new room for little baby Zoe. But there was no new room. Zach had not been to the Waltons either.

Jonathan was heartbroken. He had provided Zack everything that he needed to have an abundant life; no strings attached. All he requested was that Zack use his talent and one-tenth of the abundance Jonathan had provided him to do some work for Jonathan, to help Jonathan’s friends.