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In 2010, two of the world’s wealthiest men, billionaires Warren Buffet and Bill Gates made public a campaign called “The Giving Pledge”. It is to encourage the wealthiest people in the world to make a commitment to give 50% or more of their wealth to philanthropic causes. As of January 2015, 128 billionaire individuals or couples have signed “The Giving Pledge”. While Warren Buffet and Bill Gates are well known public philanthropists, they both credit Chuck Freeney, founder of DFS, as their inspiration. He has anonymously given away about US$5 billion through “The Atlantic Philanthropies” since 1980s. He promotes this principle of “giving while living” and that “people who have money have an obligation”. He intends to give all of his wealth by the year 2020.
Just when it becomes thoroughly depressing and hopeless when one sees the exponential growth and prevalence of evil, brutality and greed in the world today, “The Giving Pledge” is a glimmer of hope for the world. Beyond the super wealthy with the conviction to share their wealth, there are other simple folks who are generous and kind-hearted. There are people motivated to do their bit to reduce social deprivation, inequality and poverty. Now it makes easier hearing a paraphrase of what King Solomon has to say in Ecclesiastes 5.
“Do not love money for there is no satisfaction in it.
Do not hoard money for harm can befall its owners.
Do not worry about money for it can rob one of sleep.
Do not hold on to money that cannot be brought beyond the grave.”
King Solomon draws our attention to what is truly good – be content and be satisfied. Ultimately we must realize and acknowledge that “God has given them – for this is their lot (NIV), their heritage(NKJ), their reward (NASB).” In Hebrew “reward” is “Halaq” – something granted by grace from a God whose grace can never run out. Thus wealth of whatever quantum is evidence of divine grace for which we must be grateful. Likewise the ability to enjoy the fruits of one’s labour, the wealth and possessions, is also “a gift of God”. This word “gift”, in Hebrew “Natan” (empowers and enables), is a crucial element to the overall wealth question. Without the ability to enjoy it, makes the wealth be of no value to the one who laboured. What we finally need to know about wealth is that God graciously rewards our labour and gives us the ability to enjoy wealth with gladness of heart.
