Not Generous Enough?
Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade and former teammate Alonzo Mourning have worked to raise $800,000 for Haitian earthquake relief. But I’ve already seen one blogger take a shot at these guys who have attracted donations from Michael Vick, Gilbert Arenas and Terrell Owens, all controversial African-American athletic personalities. I’m not sure what that commonality has to do with anything. Maybe it’s an irresistible digression. On topic, I don’t necessarily have a qualm with the blogger because he is citing something I’ve thought about – that $800,000 isn’t much money relative to the bank bustin’ salaries these men earn.
In the last three years combined I’ve made less than $150,000. I can’t fathom donating even 50 percent of that amount. But should we be critical of men who, we think, could afford to give $800,000 of their own money as opposed to that amount being pooled from a hat passed among some of the NFL and NBA’s most heralded personalities? After all, at the Golden Globes last weekend, Sandra Bullock confirmed reports that she donated $1 million of her own money to the relief effort.
It’s strange territory to take aim at people who are doing good but seemingly not enough of it. So many things come to mind when discussing the generosity of professional athletes. Are they currently giving money to dozens of charities? Do they have family and friends on payroll? Do they have gambling debt? Are they simply living so far above their means that they don’t have $1 million to give? Do they have a history of being poor and thus a fear of being generous? What about child support and/or legal fees to overpaid lawyers handling, in Gilbert Arenas’ case, the very future of an NBA player in trouble with the Feds over gun possession?
I don’t know if Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade have appealed to the wealthiest athletes and been denied. I don’t know if the ones who have joined their effort are underachieving. What I do know is that sometimes I tip 20 percent at the restaurants and sometimes 15 or less. At the off ramps I hand the guy with the sign a water bottle because I didn’t think of being generous until that very instance. I make enough money to prepare myself for those impromptu moments when you want to give and help. But I’m slack in that for sure, perpetually and grossly unprepared to help in a way that matches my sense of guilt. And aren’t many of us the same way? Emergencies are aptly dubbed because you never know when they’re going to occur. Most of us probably do live somewhat of a selfish existence and then the Tsunami, the Richter rocking quake, the Hurricane, etc. reveals how we’ve been living as our hearts and shallow pockets attempt to pour out in compassion. If generosity is a heart condition, a paradigm and a worldview we are likely all in desperate need of medical attention. That seems fair. But I’m not about to point the fingerat the rich guys unless I point at myself first. You can be as poor as Aladdin or as affluent as Scrooge McDuck and suffer from the same illness. The good news is that giving has a way of healing the heart as opposed to merely increasing the donation.
Posted: by Norman Anthony
Category: Character
Matthew
6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Julie
By your reference then, are you saying that these dudes shouldn’t be broadcasting what they’ve raised?
The United States is the most generous nation in the world. Statistics show that Republicans are more generous than Democrats. I feel that people who have wealth are able to give more and statistically do. What measure they give, is between them and their maker.
Well I agree in part, that it is absolutely between them and their maker. Not only the amount but the motive. I don’t credit one political party with anything since both have contributed and detracted from society in general. I’m nonpartisan personally :-). But I vote because blacks died so I could.
I do like your emphasis on the intimacy with God when it comes to giving. God messes with the heart when people start giving the thing they value most (for most people that’s money and maybe time). It’s funny. I’ve been at restaurants with people who say, “I’m not tippin’ because service was terrible.” I’m thinking we just sat on our butts and got served which never happens at home. Not only that, if we asked more questions we’d find that we seldom have a legitimate reason not to give. All that said, I’m just glad people give at all even if their left hand knows what the right is doing. “The poor you will always have with you…”
Thanks Jules
I only mention the Republican vs. Democrat because it is a real statistic. I like your use of the word “intimacy” that is absolutely the correct word. Intimate and personal!
Just one little add…my grandma used to feel guilty that she would only tithe once a month because that is how she was paid. She wondered what the people next to her thought when she didn’t contribute. She was living in a right relationship with God and even though she didn’t contribute every week…it is not for us to judge…we do not know what is done in private so it is not for us to judge what is done in public.
Agree with you 100% on that. I love that story too because I’ve felt like you grandma many Sundays. That’s why when I read the blogger’s comment about the NBA guys not giving enough, I felt like it was none of his or my business what those cats contribute. At least their using their high profile status to garner support.
Ok, Norman you know I have commented on this topic before. The giving of the high profile people of society. Not that its any of my business what they give its more the motive of why and how they do it. I have often talked about Oprah and the attention she draws to her self for what she gives. I can’t know her heart, but when you are a muti-billionaire with a B. And give a few million, then are you giving out of your abundance or giving till it hurts. Or are you giving as business owner as a tax right off. Anyway we will never know. Lets be clear she has done great things and what she does is her business. If thats true then keep all the donations secret and we don’t need television specials about what a great giver you are.
Back on point…. The motive. Jesus pointed out that the woman with the 2 coins gave more than anyone. Why? Because she gave all she had, she had nothing left.
I think these guys doing what they can and ask others to get involved is great. The multitude can do great things when they are on the same page and are willing to put money or action where their mouth is. That is of course assuming they were asking others to be involved and not just going, “hey look at what we did….”
On a side note the statistics actually say that middle America republicans, independents, and conservatives, will as a whole give more in comparison to their liberal counter parts. The liberals are more interested in taking others money in the form of higher taxes and redistributing their wealth. Let Big government take care of everyone. Actually statistically speaking the wealthiest americans tend to be liberal democrats, they find ways to shelter their income and not pay the taxes.
Ok this is getting political sorry….