Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
Earlier this century, Mr. Schwab, the President and major shareholder of the giant
Bethlehem Steel Corporation in America, had given away millions of dollars. He had
bequeathed schools, churches and hospitals, and gave $2 million for a home for orphaned
and crippled children in New York. Yet when he was asked about the pleasure of giving, he
replied: "Giving? The man with too much money can’t really give. He can sign
his name on a check, and money will automatically pass from his account into someone
else’s. But what he has given he has never seen and it means nothing to him. He does not
need it. He has sacrificed nothing. He could not use the money even if he had kept it. So
where does the pleasure or thrill of giving come in?"
Mr. Schwab then went on to say what money could not do. "There is no enjoyment in
great wealth," he said. "One of the great joys in life is in having something to
look forward to – something just out of reach – something that you are not quite able to
afford. When a person reaches the place where they can get anything that the world can
offer simply by writing a cheque, they have cut loose from happiness unless they are
fortunate enough to have interests apart from money. Of course, young people will not
believe this," he continued. "They think they would be deliriously happy if they
could become millionaires. Millionaires!
Nonsense! How long will it take them to learn that the things worthwhile in life are
things on which the dollar sign is never stamped, things for which money has no buying
power?"
The Bible gives two contrasting examples of wealth and giving. The first is the widow’s
offering. Rich people gave to the temple treasury, but the poor widow put in two small
copper coins. Her gift was the greater because of her poverty. The second example is that
of the rich ruler.
He had obeyed all the Commandments but when he was challenged to part with his wealth,
he could not do it. As Mr. Schwab said, one of the great joys in life is having something
to look forward to. Perhaps there is something just out of your reach or something worth
striving for that can’t be bought with money? Don’t resign because of youth, age or
inexperience – go for it.
Have a good week. Pastor Ron
Optional Bible readings: Mark 12, verses 42 to 44, and Luke 18, verses 18 to 25.
Pastor Ron Clarke JP (Mark 16:15)
An e-mail from the Derwent Valley, near Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Discussion
No comments for “Giving”