The world’s first billionaire was American John D. Rockefeller.
By the age of 25 he was running one of the biggest oil refineries in the US, and in his thirties took control of most of the industry in that country, before going on to become the largest refiner of oil in the world.
By 50 he was the wealthiest individual on the planet.
Three years later his health started to fail, badly. He was in constant pain, lost all his hair and couldn’t eat properly. His life was miserable and doctors said he wouldn’t survive for much longer.
As he confronted his mortality, Rockefeller had an epiphany. He decided to devote his immense wealth to charitable causes; especially hospitals and research.
The Rockefeller Foundation was created. The research led to significant medical discoveries including Penicillin and life-saving treatments and prevention of Malaria, Tuberculosis and Diphtheria.
As the impact of his generosity began to be felt, so his health started to improve, significantly. He ended up living to the ripe old age of 98.
Rockefeller had discovered the healing power of giving; the strength in gratitude and life-affirming nature of philanthropy. He was healed and he was made whole – by giving away almost his whole fortune.
He said, “My life has been a long, happy journey; full of work and play. I let go of worry, and God was good to me every day.”
Giving really does have the power to uplift the heart and soul, and even heal bodies that are oppressed with illness.
At DGB Global, we often find that many first time donors report how overwhelmed by joy they became, when making a generous gift to charity. And how they were actually delighted to be asked to help. “I wish someone had asked us sooner,” is a line we often hear.
Asking people to donate to a worthy cause is not an imposition, nor is it begging.
Asking is a gift that can save lives, including the lives of those who do the giving.
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