William Borden - a man with a wise heart

Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
12 So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

There is no certainty of life. We are always living under a constant threat that our life can be taken away from us at any moment. The Psalmist encourages us to use our life wisely, making each day count such that at the end of our days we may show God we used our lives wisely.

 

William Whiting Borden was a Christian missionary to Northern China and the heir to the Borden, Inc. family fortune. After his mother converted to Christianity in 1894, she began taking William to Chicago Avenue Church, now The Moody Church. He soon responded to the gospel of Christ and was baptized. Bible study and prayer became a passion in his life.  After graduating from the Hill School in Pottstown, PA, at age 16, he traveled to Europe, Africa, and Asia. William entered Yale University in 1905, graduating in 1909 and then later from Princeton Theological Seminary. At age 21 he was already a millionaire, but he decided to renounce his fortune and give up everything to become a missionary to the Muslims of Northern China. Borden bequeathed $1 million to the China Inland Mission and other Christian agencies. Sadly William died at age 25 of cerebral meningitis while studying Muslim culture in Egypt. 

After his death, Borden's Bible was found and given to his parents. In it they found in one place the words "No Reserve" and a date placing the note shortly after he renounced his fortune in favor of missions. At a later point, he had written "No Retreat", dated shortly after his father told him that he would never let him work in the company ever again. Shortly before he died in Egypt, he added the phrase "No Regrets."

William is buried in Egypt in an abandoned graveyard located at the end of a garbage-lined alley. A tombstone makes his grave and has the following inscription: A man in Christ He arose and forsook all and followed Him, Kindly affectioned with brotherly love, Fervent in spirit serving the Lord, Rejoicing in hope, Patient in tribulation, Instant in prayer, Communicating to the necessity of saints, In honour preferring others, Apart from faith in Christ, There is no explanation for such a life. William Whiting Borden (1887-1913)

In the New Testament Jesus called a rich young man to give up everything and follow him, but the rich young man walked away sadly for he could not give up his wealth.  However, William Whiting Borden did exactly what Christ had called the other young man to do -- William gave up a life of wealth to follow Christ. Most of us might have a hard time understanding such a sacrifice. Truly apart from faith in Christ there is no explanation for such a life. For Christ Himself gave up the riches of heaven and gave His life for us that we may inherit the riches of God’s kingdom.

Lord teach us to number our days that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. Let us understand the sacrifices made that our lives may be lived for you Lord. In Christ’s name, Amen.