The Guggenheim Museum, for example, is well-respected in the art
world, but few may remember who Solomon R. Guggenheim was or how his family
made its money. the great American
philanthropists of the 19th and 20th centuries, sketching out the reasons why
they chose to give and summarizing their most important writings on
philanthropy. The guide also includes short bibliographies for readers who
want to learn more about a particular giver. Featured sketches are:
industrialist Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919); industrialist John D. Rockefeller
(1839-1937); industrialist and conservationist John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
(1874-1960); Eastman Kodak founder George Eastman (1852-1932); banking and
industrial entrepreneurs Andrew W. Mellon (1855-1937) and Paul Mellon
(1907-99); Sears, Roebuck financier Julius Rosenwald; automobile entrepreneur
Henry Ford (1863-1947); the Guggenheim mining family; oil baron J. Howard Pew
(1882-1971); oil baron J. Paul Getty (1892-1976); engineer Joseph J. Jacobs
(b. 1916); and former U.S. “energy czar” and Secretary of the Treasury
William E. Simon (1927-2000).
men and women who significantly shaped American life by their voluntary
service or charitable donations. 110 individuals ( Rockefellers, Booths and
Guggenheims).
examin
a philanthropist’s early years, education and career, then focuse upon his
philanthropic philosophy and actions. Particular attention is paid to an
individual’s secular motivations and justifications for philanthropy. Short
samples of each philanthropist’s writings are included, and each one’s
most important societal contributions are assessed. To be sure, certain
“philanthropists” profiled in this book arguably hurt the spiritual plight
of their fellow man, contrary to what the word suggests. The book spotlights
several upright givers (e.g. the Booth family, Arthur and Lewis Tappan)
alongside others whose extra-biblical giving left damaging legacies (e.g.
Margaret Sanger, Roger Nash Baldwin). This juxtaposition is a valuable
testimony to money’s potential use for great good or great harm by its human
stewards—and the urgent need for a righteous understanding of “
Martin Morse Wooster. The Berger Guides to
Effective Giving. Washington, D.C.: The Philanthropy Roundtable, 2000.
Notable
American Philanthropists: Biographies of Giving and Volunteering
Robert T. Grimm, Jr., ed. Westport, Conn.:
Greenwood Press, 2002.
of “Why
give?” Read
a review of this book. Also, read
a review published in Philanthropy.
Why
give?” Read
a review of this book. Also, read
a review published in Philanthropy.
("and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.")
Stewardship Quips & Quotes Nobody makes a greater mistakes than he who did nothing because he could only do a little." Edmond Burke
Without a vision, people perish. Without a written plan, the vision perishes. Without funding, the plan perishes."
"What I gave, I have. What I saved and what I spent, I lost." Gravestone Epitaph
"When it comes to giving, some people stop at nothing." Jimmy Carter ;
The tithe is not a ceiling for giving, but a starting point for gratitude." "He is no fool who gives who he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose." Jim Elliot, Missionary Martyr
"A checkbook is a theological document, it tells you who and what you worship." Billy Graham "
A credit card is what you use today to buy what you can't afford tomorrow while still paying for what you didn't really need from yesterday."
A Christian steward lives simply, so that others can simply live."
"God has given us two hands- one to receive with the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for giving." Billy Graham
"What God orders, He pays for." "Give not from the top of your purse, but from the bottom of your heart." "Money is not ours to possess but to distribute." "We ask how much a man gives, Christ asks how much did the man keep." Andrew Murray
"All we can hold in our hands when we meet God is what we have given away." "What you hold onto will someday belong to someone else, what you give for the cause of Christ will be yours for all eternity." "Not he who has much is rich, but he who gives much." Erich Fromm
"There are no u-hauls behind a funeral hearse." Chuck Swindoll
Who flew the kite?
"I did," said the wind.
"I did," said the string.
"I did," said the paper.
"I did," said the boy.
In reality, ALL flew the kite. Each had its own part to play. Whether you are on the front lines of ministry, in the main office, or providing financial support and prayer, together you are ALL winning people to Christ. Just like the kite, if one part fails, all fail.
I counted financial gains, while He counted those I knew were lost.
I coveted honors and sought for degrees, while He counted the times He saw me upon my knees.
I never knew ?til my first day in the grave, how vain were the things I tried to save."
"As the purse is emptied, the heart is filled." Victor Hugo"A person is never remembered for the things he has gotten, but he's always remembered for the things he has given."
"What kind of church would this be if everyone gave just like me?"
If your vision is for 10 years, plant trees.
If your vision is for a lifetime, plant people.
If your vision is for eternity, plant the word of God."
"Millionaires seldom smile." Andrew Carnegie
"True happiness comes from spiritual wealth, not material wealth." Sir John Templeton
"We are not generous until we have given to others what we ourselves would have used." "Money talks, it says "good-bye?" Brian Kluth
Don't give until it hurts; give until it feels good.
A WIDOW IN MISSOURI
("and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.")
("and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.")
A widow in Keytesville, MO wrote me in 1972. She sent a crumpled $20 bill and a handwritten note saying, "Those LBC Chorale singers touched my heart today. I have been saving money to put water and inside plumbing in my farmhouse. But I don't need those benefits nearly as much as we need a school like you have dreamed about building". I first thought of returning the gift. But, I knew she would be hurt if I did. A week later, she sent a crumpled $100 bill and wrote, "I feel so convicted. I sent you $20 last week. But, I still had $100 in that cup in my house which I was saving towards providing water and inside plumbing. Please use this last $ 100 to train those young champions for Christ." You can imagine how I felt about accepting that gift. I then wrote her and asked permission to share her act of stewardship publicly. She wrote me and reluctantly allowed me that privilege. I told the story on the OTGH. Two plumbing and supply vendors in Kansas City and St. Louis, I believe, upon hearing the story, contacted me and asked for the widow's address. I again wrote her and asked permission to give these two businessmen her address. Again, she reluctantly agreed. Through those two men, God gave her a modern kitchen and bath, etc.... far beyond what she could have ever saved and paid for. God is no man&Mac226;s debtor and Luke 6:38 is still reliable. This widow took Jacob's Pledge and God stood by His Word and did what He promised.
The Sevenfold Blessing of the Tithe
1. Tithing blesses the heart by making it tender and receptive to God's will.
2. Tithing blesses the life by lifting it to a higher plane of grace and generosity.
3. Tithing blesses the hands by making them willing to do God's work.
4. Tithing blesses the mind by giving it the satisfaction and peace which comes from obedience.
5. Tithing blesses the nine-tenths that remains because God has been honored and His anointing is invoked.
6. Tithing blesses the tither by giving him or her a part in God's program of world evangelization.
7. Tithing blesses the local church by enabling it to carry out the Great Commission.
SOME THINGS I HAVE NEVER KNOWN:
1. I have never known a tither to complain about how much money it takes to win souls to Christ.
Poor givers gripe about how much it takes; generous givers express concern that they don't do more.
2. I have never known a family who tithed for any extended length of time who quit.
3. I have never known a non-tithing family that was not generally unhappy about many things.
I have known few tithing families who were not generally happy.
4. I have never known a person who was critical of most things and mad about many things, who was a faithful tither.
I have come to believe that most people who feel we talk too much about money, never really want to talk about money at all. Generous people enjoy talking about it. I have come to believe that there is a direct connection that exists between a person's faith and a person's generosity. Those who give generously tend to become more faithful; and the reverse is true in both instances.
David Rockefeller said that when he was seven years old the received on allowance of 50 cents a week. David was taught to save five cents and that the other five cents belonged to the Lord--it was his tithe to God. He said, "Our parents made us feel, from an early age, that we had to contribute, not just take."
Nelson Rockefeller
said that his father's creed was, "Every right implies a
responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a
duty."
When candy manufacturer John S. Huyler started out in business, he took Jacob's pledge: "...of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee" (Gen. 28:22).
Going to the bank, he opened a special account which he initialed "M.P." Into that fund he regularly entered a proportionate amount (more than the tithe) of his income. When anyone asked what the strange label meant, they were told that it stood for "My Partner." As he kept God uppermost in his mind in all his transactions, his industry grew at a phenomenal rate, and each week the "Lord's treasury" received increasingly large sums. His gifts to worthy causes and private individuals amazed his business associates. These contributions were always accompanied with the request that the donor should not receive any thanks or glory for his actrions. He asked each church and recipient to offer praise to God alone, for he said, "After all, the money isn't mine; it's the Lord's!" See: Luke 6:38; 1 Cor 16:1-2; 2 Cor 9:7
God enabled him to become one of the great philanthropists of his day and to do much in the cause of world evangelization.
J.L. KRAFT , head of the Kraft Cheese Corporation, who had given approximately 25% of his enormous income to Christian causes for many years, said, "The only investment I ever made which has paid consistently increasing dividends is the money I have given to the Lord."
Anthony Rossi (Tropicana Orange Juice came to the US from Italy in the 1920‘s as a young teenager, with nothing but the clothes on his back. A Christian couple befriended him and through their love he came to know Christ as his Savior and Lord. One Sunday in church, he prayed: "Lord, if you give me an idea for a business, I will be faithful to give a portion of everything I make back to Your work." That very morning, the idea of "Fresh squeezed orange juice" popped into his head - and the rest is history: founded the "Tropicana Co" and has been faithful to give God - not 10% of his income, as many faithful believers do, but 50% of his income, for the past 60 years! He also gave truckloads of FREE O.J. to Christian colleges throughout the country!
Sir John Templeton's investment strategy
At 92, Sir John Templeton is one of the world’s most successful investors. Money magazine calls him “arguably the greatest global stock picker of the century.” Sir John Templeton is undoubtedly one of the most successful investors of the 20th and early 21st centuries. He has made literally billions of dollars for those who followed his advice.
A billionaire and now a full-time philanthropist, Sir John made his money by helping other people get rich. He continues to do that…and he’s made a fortune in recent years.
Sir John reveals he got rich by doing the opposite of the crowd ; the important role of religion in his life and investments. This is accurate, honest information to preserve your hard-earned money and build your wealth steadily. This is STRATEGIC advice for long-term wealth-building.
2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever
sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously
will also reap generously. 7 Each man
should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not
reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all
things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in
every good work. 9 As it is written:
"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower
and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed
and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11
You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on
every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in
thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that
you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is
also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will
praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the
gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and
with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers
for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing
grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to
God for his indescribable gift!
his righteousness endures forever."
Jacob's Pledge (Genesis 28:22, "and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.")
The Man Who Couldn't Tithe
An ambitious young man who told his pastor he'd promised God a tithe of his income. They prayed for God to bless his career. At that time he was making $40.00 per week and tithing $4.00. In a few years his income increased and he was tithing $500.00 per week. He called on the pastor to see if he could be released from his tithing promise, it was too costly now. The pastor replied, "I don't see how you can be released from your promise, but we can ask God to reduce your income to $40.00 a week, then you'd have no problem tithing $4.00."
"HUMOR - TITHING JOKE: Two men were marooned on an Island. One man paced back and forth worried and scared while the other man sat back and was sunning himself. The first man said to the second man, "aren‘t you afraid we are about to die." "No," said the second man, "I make $100,000 a week and tithe faithfully to my church every week. My Pastor will find me.
"WAS THE CHURCH SERVICE WORTH A DOLLAR?: I like the old story about the guy who came to church with his family. As they were driving home afterwards he was complaining about everything. He said, —The music was too loud. The sermon was too long. The announcements were unclear. The building was hot. The people were unfriendly.“ He went on and on, complaining about virtually everything. Finally, his very observant son said, —Dad,you‘ve got to admit it wasn‘t a bad show for just a dollar.
“CORRIE TEN BOOM: I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God‘s hands, that I still possess
HUMOR - MONEY IN YOUR POCKET: The pastor stood before the congregation and said "I have bad news, I have good news, and I have more bad news." The congregation got quiet. "The bad news is: the church needs a new roof!" the pastor said. The congregation groaned. "The good news is: we have enough money for the new roof." A sigh of relief was heard rippling through the gathered group. "The bad new is: it‘s still in your pockets"
"MISSIONARY JIM ELLIOT: "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose. (www.kluth.org)
TROPICANA ORANGE JUICE:
CORRIE TEN BOOM: The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.
HUMOR: Andrew Carnegie made millions in the steel industrial. He worked hard helping the poor and underprivileged. Once a socialist came to see him in his office and soon was railing against the injustice of Carnegie having so much money. In his view, wealth was meant to be divided equally. Carnegie asked his secretary for an assessment of everything he owned and at the same time looked up the figures on world population. He did a little arithmetic on a padand then said to his secretary. "Give this gentleman l6 cents. That‘s his share of my money.
THE MIRACLE OF THE GROCERIES: The following is a true story. In 1984, Mike and his family belonged to an East Coast church. One Sunday evening, the sermon was on sacrificial offerings, and a special offering was taken at the end of the sermon. The only money in Mike‘s wallet was a $50 bill, which was supposed to buy a week‘s worth of groceries for his wife, their five children, and himself. However, in a move of faith, Mike put the $50 bill in the offering. Then, after the conclusion of the service, the family went out to the parking lot to go home. Within minutes, they joyfully returned to the sanctuary, and asked the pastor to come outside and see their miracle. Somewhat skeptical, the pastor accompanied them outside to their 20-year-old station wagon. Peering through the windows, he saw that the interior of the vehicle was completely filled with bags of groceries. Happy for the family, he remarked that someone had given them a huge blessing. —You don‘t understand, pastor,“ Mike said. —Before service, I made sure that all the windows were rolled up and the doors were locked. I have the only key, so it must have been the Lord!“ To which the pastor added, —Giving truly is the only key to God‘s provision!“ (Mike had no family living in the area, and no one from the congregation ever claimed responsibility.) Witnessed by, Rev. Robert Costa, Detroit, Michigan. Editor‘s note: this sounds exactly like: Psalm 78:25 Men ate the bread of angels; He sent them all the food they could eat.
THE STORY OF THE LAMB: Katie Fisher, 17, entered the Madison County Ohio Junior Livestock Sale hoping the lamb she had for sale would get a good price. For months Katie had been battling cancer. She had endured hospital stays and been through chemotherapy a number of times. Before the lamb went on the block, the auctioneer told the audience about Katie‘s condition, hoping his introduction would push the price-per-pound above the average of two dollars. It did-and then some. The lamb sold for $11.50 per pound. Then the buyer gave it back, and suggested the auctioneer sell it again. That started a chain reaction. Families bought it and gave it back; businesses bought it and gave it back. Katie‘s mother said, "The first sale is the only one I remember. After that, I was crying too hard." They ended up selling the lamb thirty-six times that day, raising more than $16,000 in the process.
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER GIVING STORY: John D. Rockefeller is an example of the benefits of giving. He achieved what our culture calls success. Rockefeller had amassed more wealth than he could ever spend. By the time Rockefeller was fifty-three his life was a wreck. Throughout his business career he said, —I never placed my head upon the pillow at night without reminding myself that my success might only be temporary.“ He was the richest man in the world and yet he was miserable in every sense of the word. He was sick physically, mentally, and emotionally. There was no humor, balance, or joy in his life. Then a transformation occurred. He determined to become a giver rather than an accumulator. He began to give his millions away. He founded the Rockefeller Foundation, dedicated to fighting disease and ignorance around the world. He lived to be ninety-eight years old and was a happy man in those years because of his new and revitalized definition of success.
MOTHER TERESA STORY: Mother Teresa visited Australia. A new recruit to the monastery in Australia was assigned to be her guide and —gofer“ during her stay. The young man was so thrilled and excited at the prospect of being so close to this woman. He dreamed of how much he would learn from her and what they would talk about. But during her visit, he became frustrated. Although he was constantly near her, he never had the opportunity to say one word o Mother Teresa. There were always other people for her to meet. Finally, her tour was over, and she was due to fly to New Guinea. In desperation, the friar had his opportunity to speak to Mother Teresa. He said to her, —If I pay my own fare to New Guinea, can I sit next to you on the plane so I can talk to you and learn from you?“ Mother Teresa looked at him. —You have enough money to pay airfare to New Guinea?“ she asked. —Oh, yes,“ he replied eagerly. —Then give that money to the poor,“ she said. —You‘ll learn more from that than anything I can tell you.“ The problem was the young man wanted to experience a feeling when he needed to simply learn by doing.
DANNY THOMAS —I GOT CARRIED AWAY“: The late Danny Thomas lost his life savings of $600 at a time when he was out of work. He and his wife, Rosie, had a baby on the way, andthey needed money. Danny worked at part-time jobs so Rosie could buy groceries. He also borrowed money from friends. It was a tough time in his life. A week before the baby was born, Danny had the grand total of seven dollars and eighty-five cents to his name. What would he do? "My despair led me to my first exposure to the powers of faith," Danny would later recall. On Sunday morning Danny went to church. When the offering plate was passed he put in his "usual one dollar." But something unexpected happened that day. A special missions offering was taken. The priest explained where the mission offering would go, and Danny felt he had to give something. "I got carried away," Danny said, "and ended up giving my seven dollars." He had given away all his money that Sunday. What in the world had he done? He walked up to the altar rail, got on his knees and prayed aloud. "Look, I‘ve given my last seven bucks," he prayed. "I need it back tenfold because I‘ve got a kid on the way, and I have to pay the hospital bill." He went home with a mere eighty-five cents in his pocket--all the money he had in the world. "You won‘t believe this," Danny Thomas later wrote, "but the next morning the phone rang in the rooming house hall." It was a job offer. He was offered a part in a commercial. The job wasn‘t much but the pay was good--seventy-five dollars. "I literally dropped the telephone receiver," Danny remembered. "First I whooped with joy; then an eerie feeling came over me." He remembered what he had prayed at church the day before.
FROM THE COLUMBINE SHOOTINGS: Many
of you have probably never heard of Daniel Rohrbough--but he is a
modern day hero. Daniel Rohrbough attended Columbine High School and
was there on that horrible day when two students went on a rampage of
violence and terror. Daniel Rohrbough stopped his escape from the
building to hold a door open so that other students could escape and
he was killed holding the door. Daniel died while helping others have
a new chance at life.
Milton Hershey
Milton Hershey's life was ruled by the long-instilled Biblical maxim of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. Hershey put his $60 million fortune in trust for the school. The bequest was held in confidence until 1923, when it was discovered and revealed by The New York Times. 25 years before he died, he give away all his money to strangers.
This is who Brad Pitt is working with: http://one.org/
Remember the Bible talks about tithing and it says we are to help the widows and the poor. Here is our chance to give to the poor.