Dr. Mar Aprem of the ancient Chaldean Orthodox Church of the East in India,
sometimes 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? Engineering and machinery genius R. G. LeTourneau discovered the joy of
generosity. Besides establishing a private school, he reportedly gave 90 percent
of his income to worthwhile causes, while living on the remaining ten percent.
He became hooked on the fun of giving!
Of course, money is not the only commodity that is fun to give. Give some time,
give your expertise, give a smile or give your love. You can never run out of
something worthwhile to give. Giving is fun. And there is no stopping those who
discover it!
Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please
authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances
dictate.
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