When I think about winning....I'm thinking along the lines of one of the larger sums. The goal is to spend most of the money, keeping enough for future projects. Currently we make enough money we are never in want for anything. I don't see why I should stop working unless I can be more productive in some way. I'm a believer in investing in peoples lives, empowering them, and correcting injustices in the world. Here are some of my projects I would like to do off the top of my head.
1.) tithe 15%: either to my old school or split it between that school and a favored ministry since we don't have a church here in our town
(most likely Ligonier (
www.ligonier.org) and/or Desiring God (
www.desiringgod.org))
2.) Pay our mortgage and other debts
3.) give some money to my immediate family
4.) give a substantial amount of money to KIVA (
www.kiva.org), and keep a substantial amount of money for KIVA loans in circulation
5.) build our town a new public school
6.) build my wife's college a new green house, and revamp the science program with a new building, equipment, dorm for science students, and set up an aggressive scholarship program to attract students for the program
7.) build the local hospital a new unit. Something that would expand their clientele and bring some more steady revenue and at the same time benefit the town. Something like an acute rehab unit. I would also update the med surg unit
8.) buy a farmhouse with a good sized plot of land...and yes expand our flock and plant native plants extensively on the property
9.) buy up much of the available and dilapidated homes in my town, knock them down, and rebuild homes that would be suitable for disabled/seniors. I would then sell them back to towns folk at below cost to the best candidates.
10.) Revamp the towns business district. Helping businesses move and upgrade their businesses.
11.) Work with the town government to re-beautify the town and make it more attractive to invest and live in. I would also work with them to attract a couple more large/mid sized employers.
12.) Invest a large sum of money into Biologos (
www.biologos.org) and other organizations that are interested constructive dialogue between Christianity and science