Post by Rhonda on Nov 1, 2008 22:08:07 GMT -5
HOOKED ON GIVING
Dr. Mar Aprem of the ancient Chaldean Orthodox Church of the East in
India tells a funny story about when a member of the church won a
lottery worth 100,000 rupees. His wife went to the bishop and told
him that she was afraid to tell this glad news to her husband because
he had a heart problem and any sudden excitement could cause a heart
attack.
The bishop offered to break the news gently to her husband. He
visited the house and asked the man, "Wouldn't it be a good thing if
you won 1,000 rupees in the lottery?" The man replied that he still
would have to work to support his family.
"What about 10,000 rupees?" the bishop asked. The man still showed no
excitement, so the bishop carefully raised the amount to 50,000 and
finally to 100,000 rupees.
"If I got 100,000 rupees, I would give half of it to you, your
Excellency," the man replied.
The bishop had a heart attack, and the man called an ambulance.
We can get excited about winning and getting. But have you learned
how fun it is to give -- and not only money? Engineering and
machinery genius R. G. LeTourneau (1888 - 1969) discovered the great
joy that can come of generosity. Besides establishing a private
school (today's LeTourneau University), that remarkable man
reportedly gave 90 percent of his income to worthwhile causes, while
living on the remaining 10 percent. He became hooked on giving!
And like I said, money is not the only commodity that is fun to give.
We can give time, we can give our expertise, we can give our love or
simply give a smile. What does that cost? The point is, none of us
can ever run out of something worthwhile to give.
Giving is fun. And addictive.
-- Steve Goodier
P.S. CELEBRITY QUIP
Even if you fall on your face, you're still moving forward. -- Conan
O'Brien (Harvard Commencement Address)
Dr. Mar Aprem of the ancient Chaldean Orthodox Church of the East in
India tells a funny story about when a member of the church won a
lottery worth 100,000 rupees. His wife went to the bishop and told
him that she was afraid to tell this glad news to her husband because
he had a heart problem and any sudden excitement could cause a heart
attack.
The bishop offered to break the news gently to her husband. He
visited the house and asked the man, "Wouldn't it be a good thing if
you won 1,000 rupees in the lottery?" The man replied that he still
would have to work to support his family.
"What about 10,000 rupees?" the bishop asked. The man still showed no
excitement, so the bishop carefully raised the amount to 50,000 and
finally to 100,000 rupees.
"If I got 100,000 rupees, I would give half of it to you, your
Excellency," the man replied.
The bishop had a heart attack, and the man called an ambulance.
We can get excited about winning and getting. But have you learned
how fun it is to give -- and not only money? Engineering and
machinery genius R. G. LeTourneau (1888 - 1969) discovered the great
joy that can come of generosity. Besides establishing a private
school (today's LeTourneau University), that remarkable man
reportedly gave 90 percent of his income to worthwhile causes, while
living on the remaining 10 percent. He became hooked on giving!
And like I said, money is not the only commodity that is fun to give.
We can give time, we can give our expertise, we can give our love or
simply give a smile. What does that cost? The point is, none of us
can ever run out of something worthwhile to give.
Giving is fun. And addictive.
-- Steve Goodier
P.S. CELEBRITY QUIP
Even if you fall on your face, you're still moving forward. -- Conan
O'Brien (Harvard Commencement Address)