There is good in this world - indeed, there is good. And there is kindness, wisdom and generosity to go with it. When you lump all these God-given virtues together, you get philanthropy - in a nutshell.
Last year, investment guru Warren Buffet pledged more than US$30 billion [RM111 billion] to five foundation starting in the year 2009. The exact percentage of what he will give away is 85% of his Berkshire Hathaway stocks. Whilst the amount is unprecedented in the history of philanthropy anywhere in the world, it is his philosophy about giving that is admirable. Nothing to do with money being a root of all evil but everything to do with it being the route to do good.
Buffet echoes the legendary Andrew Carnegie (1835 - 1919), the late steel magnate who was also a famous philanthropist, that money which comes from society should be returned to society. This brings to mind a quote from J. Herman Blake : Philanthropy is not a matter of the rich helping a non-rich; it's the community extending itself out to the community.
Thus we are talking beyond building orphanages, shelters and food aid for the poor. It's sharing one's wealth with the masses.
Sharing as opposed to hoarding - something we all can and should unlearn in today's materialistic world. It is really up to us to prioritise that which we want to share and the extent of it. It could be money, time or our knowledge and skills with people who need them. Again not necessarily only with the poor.
Luke Chapter 6 verse 38 -- Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
This articles is taken from "Teatime Reflections" by Lauren Lim
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