Margaret, a 72-year old woman in Masterson , New Zealand won one of the biggest lotto prizes at NZ$36.9 million in June 2009 with her two daughters and a granddaughter. She hugged the headlines again when in August 2009 she decided to give most of her winnings to charity. She said that she had no more plans for luxuries for herself apart from her long-desire to redecorate her former state home. The elderly lady said she would keep enough to live on and give the rest away.
One of the best books I’ve read is Og Magdino’s The Greatest Salesman in the World. What struck me most in the tale was the part when the main character Hafid, who rose from being a stable boy to an enormously wealthy merchant, in his old age gave away his assets leaving enough for himself until he died.
God wants us to be giving. The young man said to Him (Jesus), ‘All these things (the commandments I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; come and follow Me.’ (Matthew 19:20-21) One author Randy Alcord wrote: ‘God prospers me not to raise my standard of livng, but to raise my standard of giving.’ By being able to detach one’s self from material things, one will have conquered the world and tasted divinity. ‘Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.’ (Luke 16:9)
In our age and time when greed and selfishness seem to have become acceptable attributes, Margaret is a shining example of charity and selflessness. By her gesture, Margaret has secured the key to heaven.
by Mel Libre
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