A Banker Who Doesn't Love Money?
by Kevin MillerProfile on: Paul Lindholm, the owner of Security State Bank, among others.
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Most people’s mental image of a banker is similar to the group of old, pin-striped cronies on Mary Poppins who urged young Michael Banks to invest his “tuppence” rather than spend it. Fortunately, Paul Lindholm of Fergus Falls, Minnesota does not fit this stereotype at all. Perhaps that’s because he realizes there is much more to life than money.
Pursuing God’s Plan
Paul’s life started about as far away from the world of banking as you can imagine: On his father’s farm in rural Minnesota. But the more time Paul spent on the farm, the more he sensed his destiny lay elsewhere. Having always enjoyed the business side of farming, Paul decided to get his business degree. Married with three children, going to school was a gutsy move, but Paul and his wife Ruth were confident they were pursuing God’s plan for their lives.
Displaying an affinity for hard work that he had learned back on the farm, Paul finished the four-year course in two years, graduating with honors. Following graduation, Paul received job offers from several large companies, but he did not want to live a big city, so he took a job with a small bank in a town of less than 2,000 people. Starting out as a teller, within three years, he was hired to manage another larger bank in another town.
Paul managed that bank for seventeen years. During this time, he developed a close relationship with the bank’s owner, so close that the elderly gentleman promised Paul he could buy the bank after the owner died. However, when the bank owner’s will was read, it mentioned nothing of their agreement.
“I felt betrayed,” says Paul. “This man was very honest in all other things. Why wasn’t he honest with me?”
Seize the Opportunity
Although disappointed, Paul seized an opportunity to purchase a bank of his own. His son also came to work with him, much to Paul’s delight. After ten years, Paul was able to repay all of the money he borrowed to purchase that bank. Then he heard about a larger bank that was for sale, and he decided to buy that one, too. It was not long before he was able to pay off that loan as well to the tune of $3 million. Now most of his family is involved in the banking business.
Paul attributes his success to a financial arrangement he made with God early on in life. When he was a young boy pulling weeds on his father’s farm to earn spending money, Paul began giving ten cents to God for every dollar he earned. As Paul’s income increased, he started to give twenty, thirty, forty, and fifty percent or more of his income to Christian ministry. This was a pattern he modeled after his father.
“Whenever my father made more money, instead of increasing his lifestyle, he increased his giving,” says Paul.
Giving like this has helped Paul to understand that he does not really own anything. Everything he has is a gift from God. Giving back to God is Paul’s way of acknowledging this fact. And despite this practice, Paul has ever been short of money!
“There’s more to life than money in the bank,” Paul says. “And giving is never an end in itself. It is all about changing people’s lives. Having a good relationship with God, being trustworthy, supportive, understanding and helping others prepare for their eternal destiny these are the things that really bring satisfaction to life.”
What is the most important thing in your life? Let Jesus show you. If you don’t know Jesus or if you are uncertain about your eternal fate, we encourage you to pray the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me be the person You want me to be.
Is it the desire of your heart to make this prayer yours?
If yes, pray now and according to his promise, Jesus Christ will come into your life.
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