'To whom much is given, much is required'

I have a friend who, when asked for a donation to charity, says, quite comfortably, “I don’t give to charity.” She is someone who could easily afford to give thousands of dollars a year to worthy causes if that were part of her personal philosophy, but it isn’t. When pressed for a reason, she says she and her husband have worked very hard for their money and don’t feel an obligation to help others who take “handouts.”

At the other end of the charity spectrum we have the inspiring examples of the Warren Buffetts, the Gateses, Mark Zuckerberg and thousands of others who conduct their giving according to the scriptures: “To whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48). The Oracle of Omaha, Bill and Melinda and Mr. Facebook have pledged to give away at least half of their wealth to charity over their lifetimes. When he dies, almost all of Warren Buffett’s fortune will go to charity. He has said he doesn’t believe in dynastic wealth.

You have to love the guy. He lives modestly and frugally. He says, in his quiet Nebraskan way, that he has so much money that he could hire 10,000 people every year just to paint his portrait over and over. But that wouldn’t be very productive, he adds dryly. So he spends a fair amount of his time giving away his accumulated fortune. Other charitable people, like former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, give of themselves. Day after day, millions of other regular folks volunteer in soup kitchens or hospitals or schools or museums.

Most of us fall somewhere in between my friend who refuses to donate and Warren Buffett.

Eventually, all global issues become local, and this one did, too. The philosophy of philanthropy moved front and center for me recently, when my husband hosted his annual golf tournament at a local club. He has organized this tournament every year since 1984, in memory of his dad, who founded the club. My husband loves the guys at the club; he chooses to do this. Every member of the men’s club is invited to participate in the event, which includes free greens fees, breakfast and lunch. Prizes and trophies are included as well.