The Ultimate Gift

Jim Stovall -

This fascinating fictional story is of a successful businessman who gave his family everything they could want materially - corrupting them in the process. As the estate of the wealthy uncle is divided among the self-centered relatives, the nephew (Jason) is singled out for a special bequest. Each month, Jason reports to an attorney's office for a learning assignment. If Jason completes the assignments successfully, he will earn “the Ultimate Gift”, and in the process learn the most important lesson of all. 

Strengths:

The story creates a compelling platform to share important life lessons about work, money, friends, learning, problems, family, laughter, dreams, giving, gratitude, and love.

The biblical theme of gratitude is powerfully conveyed in this modern day parable as Jason begins as a “spoiled brat” and later becomes a thankful, generous person who observes, “I had no idea that the greatest gift anyone could be given is the awareness of all the gifts he or she already has.”

The author has an incredible personal history that adds additional meaning and credibility to the book. Jim Stovall, though blind, has been an Olympic weightlifter, successful investment broker, and co-founder of a TV network for blind people. He joined the ranks of Jimmy Carter, Nancy Reagan, and Mother Teresa when he received the International Humanitarian Award.

The Ultimate Gift is a novel, but it reads like a true-life story, with much of the narrative coming from an eighty-year old attorney, reading the will of a dear friend who was also a long-time client.

Everyone would benefit from and enjoy reading this book, and many have passed the book along to family, friends, clients, pastors, and more. But The Ultimate Gift may be especially helpful to people who are at a crossroads in life (i.e. graduation, job change, retirement, etc.)

A major motion picture film was produced in 2007 (with the same title) based on the book and is now available on DVD.

The Ultimate Gift correctly shows that wise estate planning not only includes the transfer of money and property – but also values and life lessons.

Things to be aware of:

Although the author is a committed Christian, and the book reinforces several biblical themes, The Ultimate Gift is not an explicitly “Christian” book. This was likely by design as the book appeals both to Christian and secular audiences. That being said, the book does respectfully acknowledge God. Towards the end of the book, for example, Jason concludes, “Now I know why God made me and put me on this earth.”

The story line can be somewhat predictable and even repetitive. But Stovall’s purpose in writing the book wasn’t necessarily to create a complex cast of characters in an intricately woven story line; but rather to use an engaging story to share important life lessons.

Order the book or DVD at www.theultimategift.com  or www.christianbook.com