I think it is an amazing story! It made the corner of 3A in the Caller-Times. Over on the front page "Commissioners OK 4.7 million in Fairgrounds Construction." The event I am writing about is "Gates, Buffett, lobby the rich for donation pledges" Bill Gates is a co-founder of Microsoft. It made him the world's richest man. Warren Buffett is CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. He is also very wealthy.These two men have started a campaign to get other American billionaires to give at least half their wealth to charity. Bill and Melinda Gates, through their Foundation have already been giving millions. They are asking the donors to give wisely and to make it public. Such an action could encourage others of lesser means to be generous in giving back to worthy causes.
We who are Christians know God expects each of us to give back in tithes and offerings. It is only through such giving that the churches can reach out to do what is needed to spread the gospel. Too often, however, we have become selfish in the way these gifts are spent. The TV scandals of Jim and Tammy days brought that home in a disgraceful and shocking way. The one gift Jesus spotlighted was that of a poor widow who gave all she had.
Giving should be a part of each person's life, be he rich or poor. What Gates and Buffett are doing and promoting is good for our country. I hope it is successful. They say: "The pledge is a moral commitment to give, not a legal contract. It does not involve pooling money or supporting a particular set of causes or organizations." I fully expect to read about all my billionaire friends getting on board this program.
