and that Warren Buffett will be donating $37 billion (that’s billion, with a ‘b’) to Bill’s foundation.

Kudos to both of them. The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation was already the world’s largest charitable organization worth over $29 billion, now it will more than double. Their money and efforts can go a long way to meet the physical needs of the entire world. With these guys taking care of the physical, what better opportunity for the Church to follow behind and meet the spiritual needs.

Having said that…

While all of this is great, I get a little put off by the news media’s comments and the fact that they are overlooking past great philanthropists, mostly Christians. Buffett is giving away 85% of his wealth late in his life. He’s still got $7 billion in his pocket, at 75 years old I don’t think he will be burning through it anytime soon. I’d like to hear at least one news story comparing Buffett to R.G. LeTourneau. That guy gave away 90% of his money and lived on 10% for most of his professional career. Or even C.S. Lewis who, while not in the same wealth ball park as these other guys, lived on a small portion of his income and gave away a large portion of his wealth through what he called the Agape fund.

Anyway, I’m glad to see these guys not loving money but recognizing the responsibility they have to use their wealth for good.