Jason Character's Journey and Transformation

The Ultimate Gift

“The Ultimate Gift” tells the story of a financially reckless young man named Jason who is promised an “Ultimate Gift” in his grandfather’s will as long as he completes 12 seemingly simple tasks called “gifts.” The movie, based on the best-selling book of the same title, "The Ultimate Gift" by Jim Stovall, allows us to sympathize, scold, and commemorate Jason all in one breath as we watch Jason transform himself from trust fund baby to philanthropist. The film forces the viewer to question whether wealth and prosperity truly dictate human happiness. Through his tasks and travels whilst exploring the 12 gifts, Jason becomes inspired by the people and situations around him, and surprises everyone with how he treats the “ultimate gift.” The six gifts that I selected are work, money, friends, learning, problems and, family

Before receiving the gift of work, Red Stevens, Jason’s grandfather, tells his grandson via will video that Jason will receive a consecutive 12 gifts, eventually leading up to an “ultimate gift.” At the peak of his selfishness and greed, Jason becomes annoyed with tedious provisions of his grandfather’s will, and keeps motivated by the possibility of acquiring a large sum of money. His first task, working at a ranch for his grandfather’s friend Gus, is given to him so that he could learn that achievement and financial prosperity come after hard work, and are not “owed” to him by his grandfather. A direct quote from the work, “He who loves his work never labors,” expresses how a person devoted to their craft wholeheartedly with the best intentions will reap spiritual, not financial benefits, of purpose in the Lord’s eyes. I do consider myself a hard worker, though I am not perfect, and due subject myself to laziness from time to time. A vice of mine would absolutely be my occasional laziness, as it distracts me from my present “job,” school, and hinders my academic ability. I’d say the “job” I’d like to have in my own life-would simply be- to be in control of it. I feel like I let ridiculous things get in the way of my schooling, though I know it’s the most important task in my life as of present.

The gift of money in “The Ultimate Gift” proves quite interesting. The lawyers of his grandfather’s ranch decide to hand Jason a certain sum of money during his trials, only to ask him to find someone else who needs it more. As per his grandfather’s request, all his accounts, cars, and home are taken away from him, and he is forced to recognize the grip that money has over his life. Surprisingly enough, the giving away of money, an impossible concept for the initial Jason to grasp, soon became a priority once receiving the “ultimate” gift. The quote, “Money is nothing more than a tool. It can be a force for good, a force for evil or simple be idle,” expresses money as a driving and all-consuming force, and how people come to worship it instead of God. Once losing all his worldly possessions, Jason quickly learns it is more important to give money then to receive it in excess and spend it with materialistic intentions. Jason sees that there are people like him, who have lost everything that matters to them, who do not even have a proper bench to sleep on at night. He sees the impact he could have had on the homeless, poor, or otherwise destitute he could’ve done as a young heir, and addresses the importance of charity. Fortunately, I do believe I have learned this lesson. I always make sure to participate in any church activity pertaining to the aid of the less privileged , and always find a way to help in my own special way. I often feel quite happy after participating any of these charitable activities, whether it’s the delivery of a warm meal, care package, or cleaning up after a major storm. As a united people, we must recognize the strifes of the poor and sick, and assume it as a national responsibility. I am grateful that God has allowed me to recognize the struggles of the less fortunate, for there are plenty of wealthy people who do not.

The gift of friendship is one of great importance. Once Jason’s worldly possessions are taken out of his life, his own friends saw it fit that they no longer associate with Jason. Instead, the lawyers of Red Steven’s estate request that Jason find a true friend. Seeing this as close to impossible, Jason wonders around the park until he stumbles upon a young girl named Emily who agrees to pretend to be his “true friend.” Little did Jason know, the “fake” relationship he formed with the young girl what alter the course of his life indefinitely. The quotation, “It is a wealthy person, indeed, who calculates riches not in gold but in friends,” could not ring truer in Jason’s situation. It was Emily who made him realize and validate the twelve gifts, and appreciate the overall joy and gift that is life. The qualities of a true friend, I believe, are love, support, grace, and tolerance. With unconditional love we can appreciate the depth of relationship and return the care and priority our friends place in us, while support serves to guide our friends and give them confidence in whatever they may do. With grace, we learn that friendship only grows with adversity, and subsequently learn to devote our lives to those we love. Tolerance, overall, calls for to accept our friends for all that they are and could be, and allow us not to judge them or make hurtful assumptions. The gift of friendship can fill the void in a lackluster life, and give it the color and substance God intended.

The gift of learning is introduced into Jason’s life when he is sent to Ecuador to rebind books and deliver them to villagers, who receive him well and are anxious to learn anything they can. Red Stevens, though never receiving a formal education, saw great importance in reading and the expansion of knowledge. As Jason observes the villagers and their excitement in trading books, Jason learns that knowledge can transport anyone anywhere out of their present situation, and give them hope for a brighter future. Red, explaining, “Education is a lifelong journey whose destination expands as you travel,” sought out not directly to teach Jason, but make him appreciate education and its power so that he may teach himself. When asked about my own favorite subject or book I cannot answer because I cannot be tied down to one specific material. I continue to draw inspiration from every source, subject, or text I come in contact with, for their is something to learn in everything. Choosing a favorite subject or book would prove impossible for me considering I am blessed to have virtually every form of knowledge on any subject at my disposal (the gift of technology!) That being said, i have no idea what I will study in college. I know that God will put something in my path to steer me in the right direction, happily towards the rest of my life.

The gift of problems, ironically, is a sensational gift in itself. In the film, we watch Jason become stripped of his wealth and subsequent anger, but even he himself realizes that there is much worse going on in the world around him. After befriending Emily, Jason becomes aware of her battle with cancer and her mother’s financial inadequacies. He also learns that one of the lawyers of his grandfather’s estate, Mr. Hamilton, had lost his wife when they were practically newlyweds. Red Stevens himself looks back unto Jason’s upbringing and regrets his handling of his families’ lives, regretting his “sheltering” of them from the real word. These problems show Jason that life isn’t about fun and games, it’s about weathering the hardships that come along, finding resilience, and moving on. Red’s regard that “Problems can only be avoided by exercising good judgment. Good judgment can only be gained by experiencing life’s problems,” express his true intentions for his family. Though he did shelter his family and spoil them mercilessly, Red truly believes that wisdom can only come from those that have truly experienced life through all the pitfalls and triumphs alike. Though much easier said than done, I do find myself learning from my struggles. I have learned that love is the only key to happiness, and meeting others with hostility will only cause more harm than good. I’ve learned that jealousy will not get me what I want in life, and should not serve as motivation to prosper and find success in life. Most importantly, I have learned that all though it might not feel like it, God continues to watch over me in everything I do and truly has a master plan.

The gift of family is what binds us together as a people and provides us with a steady foundation to build our lives upon. In the film, we see that Jason comes from a big family, though largely divided. When Red urges Jason to visit his family, Jason takes Emily’s mother, Alexia, to share Thanksgiving dinner with the extended Stevens family. As opposed to loving conversation, jokes, and reminisce the dinner results in a massive argument over Red’s estate. Although Jason and Alexia leave before the night is over, Jason recognizes that there is a lesson to be taught in regards to family, specifically “Some people are born into wonderful families. Others have to find or create them. Being a member of a family is a priceless privilege which costs nothing but love,” in the words of Red. Keeping this in mind, Jason recognizes that he can provide the love and support so desperately desired by Emily and Alexia. He creates a “family” in spirit, spending his time with them and eventually opening Emily’s home, the home for sick children unable to pay their hospital fees, in their honor. When I think of family, I think of the they can offer me appreciation, commitment, time, resilience, spirituality, and communication. A family that could love and praise its members unconditionally is one of great strength. When committed to all its members and specific time is set aside to spend together, a great foundation can develop. A family that accepts its weaknesses and is able to manage crisis healthily can provide its members with the wisdom and life experience needed to expand intellectually and deal with personal problems later in life. In spiritual union, under God, and in practice of forms of respectful communications, the family unit can prove irrepressible.

“The Ultimate gift” is an incredible story with meaning beyond comprehension. In this story, we observe the utter and unbelievable transformation of Jason Stevens from dependent to a dependable, loving, and charitable human being. The twelve gifts given by Red Stevens proved to transform Jason’s life more than money ever could. “The Ultimate Gift” shows all that only love and charity is viable in the pursuit of happiness.