The Widower's Might
David E. Krause, President, Parkland Foundation, Dallas, TX
The philanthropic hero of most substantial stature is one who did not give very much: the widow. We talk about “the widow’s mite.” Her story is recorded in two of the New Testament Gospels. She is commended not for the amount of her gift but for the proportion of her life’s commitment. In fact, the Greek literally says, “she gave her whole life.”
This week we have heard about the same dynamic played out at the opposite end of the socio-economic spectrum! Warren Buffett, who lost his wife some years ago, has made a commitment that will go down in history as “The Widower’s Might.” It seems he will, over time, proportionately do the same as the widow in the Bible. The scale and scope are quite different than those of the widow, and quite different than most of us (and he will probably have a little left over), but it is a posture of life’s commitment to be admired, respected and emulated.
The news about Buffett’s decision to give $31 billion to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is transformational in at least three ways: It transforms the role of philanthropy in this country, potentially raising it to a whole new level of effectiveness, where it will probably shame governments and bureaucracies in the process for their wastefulnesses and inefficiencies (anyone heard of FEMA or government defense contracts?). Its sheer scope and focus will change the terrain of philanthropy and the disciplines of caring for those in need.
Secondly, it is also transformational in the posture of philanthropy. In a culture which has glorified what I call “façade philanthropy,” that is, the propensity to “do philanthropy” for the purpose of effecting the donor’s good standing in whichever circles the donor seeks good standing. Read the society pages. Buffett’s gift is necessarily very public and very visible, but certainly no façade philanthropy. His gift is a story of substance, humility, trust and respect. It was Buffett’s trust in, and respect for, Bill and Melinda Gates that motivated him to entrust his billions to their foundation.
Thirdly, it is hopefully transformational in the eschatological pursuits of the capitalist system worldwide. The trust and respect that bound capitalism’s most effective innovator and capitalism’s most effective investor paint a new picture for the possibilities of a productive and enlightened global capitalist system. Perhaps there is a “greater good” beyond consumerism. It has been said that a culture is to be measured not by the plight of those at the top of the socio-economic heap, but those at the bottom. Bill and Melinda Gates, together with Warren Buffett, all three of whom sit at the very pinnacle, will focus on issues that affect many at the bottom of the heap throughout the world. And the world will never be the same.
Neither the widow with her mite nor the widower with his might are to be unduly romanticized. As we say in Texas, “They both put their britches on one leg at a time.” We can, however, be thankful, and enlightened and grasp a hopeful vision or two.
©David E. Krause
David E. Krause, President and CEO Office: (214) 266-2008
Parkland Foundation Email : dkraus@parknet.pmh.org
2777 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 1700
Dallas , Texas75207