Born to Give

Investor T. Boone Pickens talked about how good it feels to give. He said, “I was put here to make money so I could give it away.” I heard a nearly giddy Warren Buffet, then the second or third richest person in the world, say he once wondered why he’d made billions of dollars. Then he said he’d discovered the reason: so he can help many people. Buffet created the Giving Pledge, which at this writing has been signed by 156 billionaires who’ve joined him in committing to give away most of their wealth. Bill Gates said, “I’ve accelerated my philanthropic plans.

Melinda and I are convinced that there are certain kinds of gifts—investments in the future—that are better made sooner than later.” He also said, “A fortune…is best not passed on to one’s children. It’s not constructive for them.”

Actress Angelina Jolie said, “If I decide to go visit a school in the middle of Kenya, or Russia, the kids will be excited. That’s better than having an Oscar….When I’m in a refugee camp, my spirit feels better there than anywhere else in the world…they don’t know who I am. I am useful as a woman who’s willing to spend a day in the dirt.”11 Sharing about her humanitarian work, she said, “Second to my children, spending time with refugees and other persons of need around the world has been the greatest gift.”