You Can't Give What You Don't Have
"Surplus wealth
is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime
for
the good of the
community."
- Andrew Carnegie
(1835-1919)
Businessman/Philanthropist
What do you
think of the wealthy? Take time and
think about this. People tend to have
strong feeling about the wealthy - or at least those who are not wealthy
do. Many believe they are greedy, unkind
and have gotten their wealth by unethical means. I have always found it funny when people say
they would not want to be wealthy because they don't like how wealthy people
are, and yet so many will go play the lottery for easy wealth and they think
about money all the time.
Here are some facts about the
wealthy. The vast majority have earned
their wealth. It took them years and a
lot of hard work, but they earned every dollar they have. The wealthy are the greatest giver in this
country. Without them, most charities
would not survive. It is the wealthy who
create jobs and pay the vast amount in taxes so you can have the services you
enjoy. The old saying is very true,
"When was the last time a poor man gave you a job?"
I am not trying to tell you that
the wealthy are better people than the poor.
Both groups have wonderful people and real stinkers. That is because people are who they are,
money or not. What I am saying is that
wealth is not something to look down on or to fear. In fact, (now I will cause a fuss), I believe
that as success-minded people we have a responsibility to our family, community
and to God to generate the greatest amount of wealth we can.
Let me explain that
statement. Simply put, you cannot give
what you do not have. Why do the wealthy
support so many worthy charities? Because
they can. How can you be a giver and
support the things you believe in? By
gaining the wealth that you can in turn give as you choose. Want to help family and friends who are in
need? Help them to generate wealth to
care for themselves. It is simple, are
you helping your family, community and the world by taking what you do not have
or by giving what you have in surplus?
The early evangelist, John
Wesley once said, "We must do all we can, to earn all we can, to give all
we can." I believe it must be the
goal of every success minded person to give back to others. To be as successful as is possible for them
so they will gain as much wealth as they can in life in order to give where it
will make a difference. Wealth is a tool
and in the hands of a person of character and faith, it is a tool that can
transform the world.
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