Warren Buffett says he and Bill Gates have pledges from 40 of America's wealthiest individuals and families to give away at least half their fortunes to charity.
Buffett and Bill Gates, who have a combined wealth of about $90 billion, officially launched The Giving Pledge this year to urge wealthy individuals to give the majority of their money to charities of their choice either during their lifetime or after their death.
The latest list of 40 billionaires includes, among others, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, media mogul Ted Turner, film director George Lucas and energy magnate T. Boone Pickens.
"We've really just started, but already we've had a terrific response," Buffett, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, said in a statement. "At its core, the Giving Pledge is about asking wealthy families to have important conversations about their wealth and how it will be used.
"We're delighted that so many people are doing just that – and that so many have decided to not only take this pledge but also to commit to sums far greater than the 50% minimum level."
This intrigues me. First, it is nice to see that the wealthy are concerned about making a difference in the world. They hope the money will benefit medical advancements, global crises, poverty, etc. I'm sure it will have a big impact for the good. The one thing that bothers me, though is Buffet said in an interview with Charlie Rose that the reason he was doing this was because he's always had everything he needed so it was time to give back. This is a mentality that many of us have when it comes to money - take care of me first, making sure I get what I want AND THEN I will help you after I'm dead and gone.
I'm not sure that is how Christians are called to live. Remember the story in the Bible where Jesus and some of his disciples were watching people go in and out of the temple dropping in their money? Then this poor, destitute widow drops in a measly two cents and Jesus says she gave more than anyone. Why? Because everyone else gave out of their abundance, but she gave from her poverty (and she was still alive)!
Don't get me wrong. I am not judging the hearts of the wealthy who have pledged 50% of their estates. May God bless them. My question is - why wait until you are wealthy and dead before you start to give it away and help others? The New Testament church in Acts 2 didn't wait to give their stuff away. It says that they sold their possessions and distributed to anyone in need. They were so excited by the new thing God was doing that they were totally trusting God to provide. They were filled with such love and compassion for others that material things did not much matter.
How can we recapture this type of sacrificial giving while we are still alive?
I'm done writing because I think the Spirit is convicting me too much...
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