This was true of the richest man in the ancient world. Regarding worry and riches Solomon said; “The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep” (Ecclesiastes 5:12). In other words the more we have, the more we worry.
This was also true of the richest man of the past. John D. Rockefeller who was the world’s first billionaire-making over a million dollars a week. It is said of Rockefeller that he was a sick man who lived on crackers and milk and he could not sleep because he worried so much about his money. Eventually, he learned how to give money away and his health radically improved. As a result of his giving he lived to celebrate his ninety-eighth birthday. It seems giving can be a secret to long life!
I think Bill gates is following Rockefellers example. With a net-worth of 56 billion dollars he is the richest man in our modern world. He has gone down in history as being the largest accumulator of wealth the world has ever known. With an estimated net-worth of $50 billion dollars, he has surpassed King Solomon and the Sultan of Brunei as the richest man who ever lived. At his peak he was earning $48 million dollars a day. In a interview given some years ago he was asked, “If he has any worries and fears?” He replied, “Every morning I wake up worrying about staying ahead of the competition and keeping my fortune.”
Just recently Bill and Melinda Gates agreed to donate 10 billion dollars over a ten year period in order to create vaccines to eliminate childhood diseases. It is believed their donation will save nearly 8.5 million lives. Ten years ago the Gates Foundation donated 750 million dollars the donation paid for the creation of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations, which is credited with saving the lives of more than 3 million people. Generous giving is not only the antidote for worry, it also has the ability to save lives. No wonder the Bible says, It is better to give than to receive.”
The shock of everything is now starting to sink in and the dust is starting to settle some.
The ultrasound specialist, after much trying, was finally able to see some of our unborn baby’s face and mouth and confirmed the cleft lip which is on the right side. She also said that she saw a gap in the hard palate which is the front of the mouth. It is… Read More....
There was the old grandma who was being cared for by her daughter and son. One day as I was reading my Bible, the daughter asked me about it and I told her what I was reading. She was excited and told me that she had one too and was a part of God’s family. I knew there was something different about her. She took such gentle care of her… Read More....
A few months ago I was thinking to myself, “I don’t have any real China stories.” A ‘China’ story is the kind that can only happen to you in China (of course) but really sets your time here apart from anything else you’ve experienced in your life; it’s something that you think, “I’ve never experienced anything like this!” and somehow it changes you. Well, it finally happened. After two years… Read More....
Very true, it is better to donate than let siblings,children fight over inheritance. Thks for sharing, pastor!