Rev. J. Loren Russell
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NKJV)
“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Some people give out of their abundance, others out of their lack, while some give nothing at all. I don’t know who to attribute this saying to, but there is great truth in it. I remember when I graduated from elementary school. It was at a time when our parents would buy us autograph books for us to keep and reflect on the well-wishes people would write in them. Although I have long since lost that time capsule, I vividly recall what a local business owner wrote (very artistically I might add), these words; “Types of people: Those who make things happen; Those who watch things happen; Those who ask, ‘What happened’?” Then came the big question, “Which one will you be?”
\
Dr. Ruth Gottesman, chairperson of the Albert Einstein College Board of Trustees, gave a donation of one billion dollars to the school to make it tuition free in perpetuity. According to the story as reported in the local newspapers, Dr. Gottesman not only serves on the Board of Trustees but has been affiliated with the school for more than 55 years, initially as a specialist in diagnosis and treatment of learning disabilities. Her late husband left her a substantial fortune and instructions to do with it what she thought was best. What she thought best was to have a tuition free medical school in the borough of the Bronx.
It is easy to make the assumption that this gift was given purely out of vanity, until it was announced that she mandated that the school not change its name. Many major donors have the school or institution rename the facility in their honor. Some donors publicly withhold or demand changes in policy or personnel at their pleasure. This gift only requires that tuition is free, and the school remain Albert Einstein forever. Dr. Gottesman has demonstrated true selfless giving.
In the closing minutes of my broadcast last Monday night (Matters of Faith: The Radio Show), I conceived a poem that is appropriate to share here:
“He who has a thing to share,
And will not take it anywhere,
Is not the one who will grow,
Like the one who gives wherever they go.”
Remember the inspirational message the local business owner wrote in my autograph book? Remember the question he challenged me with; “Which will you be?” I now ask you, how are you giving? Is it to be recognized or honored, or do you give to make a positive difference in the lives of others?
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church and is the spiritual leader of the Evangelical Church of God, both in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096) and is the executive producer and host of “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on the Matters of Faith YouTube Channel and Facebook Live. Be sure to ‘Friend’ us. Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.
Follow Us