THE LOVE OF GIVING

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Percy Ross lived a colorful life. He died in 2001 at the age of 84, but his legacy long surpasses his lifespan. Percy Ross grew up poor, worked hard and by the age of 42 had gained and lost two fortunes. But he never considered himself a failure; in 1959 he purchased a bankrupt plastics business and by 1977 had revived the business to make himself a multi-millionaire. It was then that Ross embarked on his most fulfilling occupation---giving all his money away.

In 1983 Percy Ross began writing a weekly column that appeared in over 800 newspapers for sixteen years. That column, entitled Thanks a Million featured the many requests for assistance answered by this generous man. Ross and his staff received 10,000 letters a week from people asking for help. In Ross’ last column in 1999 he revealed that he had given away all his money---over $30 million dollars. He also thanked his readers for the happiness they brought by allowing him the joy of giving.

This week we celebrate the birth of the Baby of Bethlehem’s manger who gave up all vestiges of His heavenly royalty to come to this planet as a human for a brief period of time (Philippians 2:6-8). Theologian Millard Erickson wrote of this natal sacrifice, “The magnitude of what He gave up is beyond our power to even imagine, for we have never seen what heaven is like.” Jesus, the King of Kings became poor so that we could become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Percy Ross was a generous man, but not without his critics. Some believed he was merely showing off in an effort to gain heaven by his good works. Who knows? Only God knows his heart and the motives of his works (1 Corinthians 4:5). Interestingly, the Hebrew word for love and give is the same word. The most familiar verse in the Bible teaches us this wonderful theological truth----“For God so loved…He gave” (John 3:16). You can give without loving; but it is impossible to sincerely love without giving. He gave all because He loves all. Think about it. Merry Christmas.