The billionaire you’ve never heard of
Those of you who jet off on romantic travels to places unknown – not me, of course! – will undoubtedly be familiar with those “duty-free” shops. They bid you to come in for a really great deal.
Though I'm still not sure what “duty-free” means exactly (here’s the answer), I have been known to peruse the aisles for exotic and supposedly cheap(er) merchandise.
Someone out there had the bright idea to start all those duty-free shops at airports. His name? Charles F. Feeney. He also knew how to spot and invest in technology start-ups. He amassed a fortune to the tune of $8 billion dollars. But when he died this week at the ripe old age of 92, he had almost nothing left.
Had he squandered it on a wild lifestyle? Hosted lavish parties for his equally rich friends? Produced music festivals that went bust so that he could meet Beyonce or Taylor Swift? Was his life a cautionary tale about the woes of being wealthy?
It was none of those things.
In fact, Charles F. Feeney gave away more than $8 billion to charitable causes before he died. As described in his obituary in the New York Times, soon after he gained his wealth, he tried to live the stereotypical life of the rich and famous. However, he ultimately found that his lifestyle clashed with his values. That it did nothing for him except leave him feeling empty.
"He was beginning to have doubts about his right to have so much money," Conor O’Clery wrote in a biography of Mr. Feeney, “The Billionaire Who Wasn’t” (2007). “When asked many years later if he was rich at this point in his life, he replied: "How much is rich? Beyond all expectations. Beyond all deserving, so to speak. I just reached the conclusion with myself that money, buying boats and all the trimmings didn’t appeal to me."
A crisis of conscience led to a lucky break for many charitable institutions.
In addition to giving $7 million to Cornell University to help fund their student service-learning program, Feeney also:
…funded public-health facilities in Vietnam; the University of Limerick and Trinity College in Ireland; AIDS clinics in South Africa; Operation Smile’s free surgeries for children with cleft lips and palates; a medical campus for the University of California at San Francisco; and earthquake relief in Haiti. [Overall, h]e gave $1 billion to Cornell, including $350 million for an affiliated technology institute in New York City.
And he did it all anonymously. Forbes went so far as to call him, “The James Bond of Philanthropy.”
No doubt, Feeney’s hard-scrabble and Catholic upbringing had an influence on his decision to renounce a lavish life and instead give his money away.
While you and I may not be billionaires – but if you are, please contact me ASAP – there is something to learn from Feeney’s generosity and desire to live a life almost unheard of among the upper 1%.
1. Be introspective about your values and your money. When he decided a $10 wristwatch was just as good as a Cartier, it wasn’t because Feeney was cheap. He reflected that his money could benefit others over himself.
2. Generosity doesn’t necessarily mean getting accolades. While I’m all for people getting buildings named after themselves if that drives their generosity, Feeney’s humble gift-giving has a certain beauty to it; dare I say, it’s a little more Christ-like? If giving for public recognition floats your boat, that’s great. But if it doesn’t happen, will you regret your generosity?
3. “It’s a lot more fun to give while you live than give while you’re dead.” There’s nothing more to add, Feeney has said it – and probably with a twinkle in his eye.
This may be a good place to remind you that in your congregations and nonprofits there are some who need to know about people like Charles Feeney. Maybe they are primed to give a great gift that will change the trajectory of your congregation or organization.
They may just need to be asked.
Or, they may need to be nudged to remember you in their legacy plans.
There – right in front of you – are many values-oriented, faith-oriented Charles Feeneys in your midst.
Don’t overlook them. Celebrate them.
***
And a prayer for peace in the Middle East.
Image credit: Pixabay.com
Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise over three million dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations.
Dorothy Hoffner might not have been a billionaire but she knew how to live life: 104-year-old dies days after a skydive that could put her in the record books.
You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered!
Schedule a meeting now.
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