Philanthropy- 1. altruistic (unselfish concern for the welfare of others) concern for human beings manifested by donations to institutions advancing human welfare. 2 a philanthropic act or donation.  3. a philanthropic institution.

"I have not observed men's honesty to be increased by their riches." -James Madison

Graft- the acquisition of money or advantage by dishonest means, especially through political influence.

Andrew Carnegie, born in 1835 in Scotland who later came to America at age 12, become rich later in life through oil and steel industries. He expressed in 1889: "The man who dies ...rich dies disgraced."  He had disposed of more than $350 million in his lifetime.

John D. Rockefeller, born 1839, became richer than Carnegie. With oil refineries having been his major interest, it was said of him that "Although he was ruthless in forcing his competitors to choose between joining him or going down to ruin, Rockefeller is given major credit for introducing order and efficiency into the highly chaotic and wasteful oil industry." -Rise of the American Nation, HBJ

“Masons [Freemasons], who number 1.3 million in the United States, maintain that their organization is dedicated to philanthropy.”  Source Citation: Taylor, David A. “Open sesame: the Masons’ lavish Washington, D.C. temple has become a must-see landmark for the curious and conspiracy-minded. (POINTS OF INTEREST).” Smithsonian 38.1 (April 2007);Gale Document Number: A161766017

What are the super-wealthy doing with their money? As Robert Frank of The Wall Street Journal has pointed out in his book Richistan, the super wealthy, those worth between $100 million to $1 billion, spent an average of $182,000 on wrist watches; $311,000 on automobiles; $397,000 on jewelry; and $169,000 on spa services last year alone. The middle class is shrinking, poverty is increasing, and the wealthiest Americans have not had it so good since the 1920s. That is the state of our economy.-Bernie Sanders, Vermont Congressman 01-31-08

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"And He [Jesus] said to them, Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness-the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more; for a man's life does not consist and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance, or that which is over and above his needs. -Luke 12:15 Amplified Bible

Pastor/ Preacher Kenneth Hagin wrote, "Financial prosperity is not a sign of God's blessing. If wealth alone were a sign of spirituality, then drug traffickers and crime bosses would be spiritual giants. Material wealth can be connected to the blessings of God or it can be totally disconnected from the blessings of God." People should never give in order to get. Hagin was critical of those who "try to make the offering plate some kind of heavenly vending machine." He denounced those who link giving to getting, especially those who give cars to get new cars or who give suits to get new suits. He wrote: "There is no spiritual formula to sow a Ford and reap a Mercedes."  www.rhema.org

The Holy Scriptures have much to say on the subject of "philanthropy" [a secular term]. People who receive gifts when truly in need are always blessed regardless of the giver; however, the giver and the motives for giving are under scrutiny by Almighty God. Please take a moment to get a Christian perspective.

It is written: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put to their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly called life." - 1 Timothy 6:17-19

"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.  Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.  Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on.'" -Mark 12:41-43

Jesus: "BE CAREFUL not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them.  IF you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites [those with a false assumption of virtue] do in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." -Matthew 6:1,2

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'"  -Matthew 19:23,24

 "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." -2 Corinthians 9:6