For Wilshire Baptist Church
I was stuck. I had just walked out of Lowe’s with lightbulbs and wasp spray and there was the trap: A Boy Scout at a table with a sign that said, “Will You Help Fund My Adventure?“
I’m a pushover for the Scouts, having been one myself. We camped every month regardless of the season, trekked at Philmont Scout Ranch and hiked rim-to-rim at the Grand Canyon. So my silent answer to the sign was, “Yes, I will help.”
I gamely walked up to the table where the Scout was standing beside an assortment of donation-style bags of flavored popcorn. His mother was sitting behind the table with a metal box and a ledger sheet.
“So, what’s your adventure?” I asked the Scout.
“We’re sailing across the Gulf of Mexico.”
“That’s cool! What do you recommend?” I asked looking at the popcorn.
“My favorite is the salted caramel corn.”
“Well then that will be my favorite too. How much?”
“$30.”
Pause and a swallow. “Wow . . . that’s . . .”
The Scout’s mother knew where I was headed. “The majority of the money goes directly to the Scouts and their project or trip,” she said.
I tried not to show my irritation with myself for being so eager to give as I handed her my credit card. I don’t think our Scout troop ever sold anything, but our high school band sold magazine subscriptions and candy. The subscriptions could be high, but the candy never was. Certainly not $30. But that was years ago when gasoline wasn’t $3 a gallon and a hamburger wasn’t $10.
And then I came to my senses, took a breath, and gave the Scout my standard speech: “What rank are you?” (Tenderfoot.) “You’re just getting started. That’s great. I was an Eagle Scout, so stick with it because Scouting is one of the best ways you can spend your time. Have a great adventure!” And I walked away to the car with my lightbulbs, wasp spray and salted caramel corn.
I wasn’t lying. Scouting is great – the source of some of my best memories and life lessons from my youth. I’m glad this young Scout is in it and is going to have an adventure he’ll never forget. I just hope Scouting is still around for him to champion, support and maybe give to at a table outside a hardware store when he is older.
There are so many things “competing for your heart and for your treasure,” as our pastor said Sunday at Wilshire. It was the first of two Sundays when we’re focusing on stewardship. This year’s theme is “The Stewardship of Dreams.” We’re being asked to consider our dreams for Wilshire and the world, and then give of our resources to fund those dreams. When we do that, those dreams can become adventures that minister to others.
A key to giving with the heart is to not think about the cost today. Instead, think about the potential for adventure tomorrow. And all the better if you’ve had that adventure yourself in the past and you know your giving will help someone who is still just dreaming of having that adventure themselves someday. It might be a once-in-a-lifetime sail across the Gulf, or something as basic as a healthy meal and warm bed.
I’m a pushover for giving to Scouts, high school bands and my church. They have dreams that align with mine and create adventures that feed bodies, minds and souls.