Oh, this is the kind of guy I like…
I found this story about this billionaire named Chuck Feeney, who from what I have read about him was a great example of someone who understands that money is NOT the root of all evil. Below I have listed a few excerpts from the story I read.
He wears a $15 watch, flies economy class and does not own a house or car. For years few guessed that Chuck Feeney was one of the world’s biggest philanthropists, secretly giving away his billionaire fortune.
Witty, self-deprecating, frugal and astute, Feeney was listed by Forbes Magazine in 1988 as the 23rd richest American alive and worth $1.3 billion, richer than Rupert Murdoch and Donald Trump. He wasn’t. Four years earlier, Feeney had placed most of his money in charitable foundations.
“I had one idea that never changed in my mind that you should use your wealth to help people. I try to live a normal life, the way I grew up,” Feeney said. “I set out to work hard, not to get rich.”
Feeney kept his generosity secret for years, saying he did not want to “blow my own horn” or discourage others from giving to the same deserving causes.
I admire Chuck’s willingness to use his giftings to benefit the lives of others. Just like Rockefeller, he felt an urgency to make other’s lives better. Although Rockefeller probably spent more money on himself, he was still guided by the desire to have his life be of some benefit to the world.
I get inspired and encouraged by guys like Chuck who have a motivation for helping people and really understand the joy of giving.
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I thought a closer translation is something along the lines of “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”
Cool story!
@minimum wage
you are exactly right – that is what I talk about in the post that I linked that phrase to…
I am a Breast Cancer Survivor for 17 months now, however, because disability doesn’t really pay the bills, I went into debt over 50,000 because I couldn’t work during my treatments. I am a Cancer Debt Victim and even though I am back to work now, it seems to be like a avalanche effect, my credit cards are maxed, my overdraft protection is maxed and it seems the harder I try the worse it gets. I started a website called Cancerdebt.com, because I found this was all too common for Cancer Patients and their families. However, I am now struggling to keep the site going and I have already filed a 501c non profit, just need help getting going, as well as donations to keep it going & to help others. If you have any info on how to get hooked up with Chuck Feeney and the Rockefellers of this world who are willing to be Charitable with Cancerdebt.com, dba; Cancer Debt Rescue,Inc. Thank you, Noreen
We had an interesting discussion in one of my Bible classes about having lots of money. We’d been talking about the “rich young ruler” story. I think Feeney sounds like a great example of what we came up with.
We decided that maybe the guy could live some kind of middle/lower-middle class lifestyle while joyfully giving to others in need and blessing thousands of people. Pity this book wasn’t out then.
It’s interesting (or not, depending on your POV) that his marriage broke up over the transition to giving it all away. The lifestyle change took a big toll on his family.
@Guinness
Wow, that part wasn’t included in the article I read. That is interesting (or sad) – that is a shame that happened…
@Noreen Bailey, You may want to consider using WordPress for your site.
Hi Robert, what is WordPress and how do I hook up with it? Thank you for your input.
@Noreen
since Roberts comment is so old, I think I will answer for him in case he doesn’t check back… Wordpress is a blogging platform – you can set up an easy blog at wordpress.com – if you are looking to get a bit more in depth and would like more ability to customize it you can get the self-hosting software at Wordpress.org
-hope this helps
Please how can I contact Mr. Chuck Feeney? Thanks!
Tisztelt Chuck Feeney a vállalkozázom működéséhez nagy
segítség lenne 100.000.000.-HUF amit a nyereséges üzemeltetsből vissza fizetnék részletekben.
Jelenleg működik a vállalkozás, ami fuvarozással foglalkozik 10 db Renalt Magnum kamion amiknek a törlesztése nagyon nehéz számomra.Nem láttam más megoldást csak ezt az Emailt,ha segitene megoldani 13 dolgozóm,és a családom jövőét.
Sajnos nem tudok angol nyelven,de talán sikerűl elolvasni a levelet.
Már azt is köszönöm ha elovasta a levelet.
További jó egészséget kivánok.
Tisztelettel Asztalos György
I am the director of Cherubim christian organization in Zimbabwe. The organization targets the marginalized rural communities in Zimbabwe and our aim is to ensure that the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached to the rural communities in our country some of whom has never heard it and are uncivilized. Please could you help us with information for Donors including Mr Chuck Feeney. Our Organization needs money to funds its programs
The Bible says that it is better to give than to receive. At our organization we ensure that we give generously whatever we receive. I urge all the peoples of the world to leave a life of service to their communities because God will generously reward them.
lol… how funny.
1. The phrase is not ‘money is the root of all evil’ but rather ‘the abuse of money is the root of all evil’
2. Maybe a quick glace at the top philanthropists worldwide might be a good idea. They don’t take morality like ‘the abuse of money is the root of all evil’ as being any more important or valid than one statement in a book compared to millions of others. That’s cos most of them are atheistic.
So erm…. quiet funny, ironic even….