Measuring Richness: Forbes's vs. Jesus's Way

One way of measuring one's richness is by tallying up the accumulated personal wealth, the sort of thing Forbes magazine does once every year. Forbes has just published the roster of the richest 1,125 earthlings who amassed at least one billion US dollars worth of personal fortune in 2007.

China, not counting Hong Kong's 26, contributed 42 to the list, including 28 newcomers. The richest Chinese is Yang Huiyan at the tender age of 26. She has inherited her father's real estate empire valued at $7.4 billion. The runner ups are Lu Zhiqiang ($3.9B) and Huang Wei and family ($3.4B), all real estate tycoons. A few others became rich in the businesses of solar energies and internet. Reported in the Special Edition of Forbes magazine this week is a fellow named Shi Zhengrong who founded Suntech, the world's fourth largest solar panel maker. He is also becoming a champion for environmental protection.

A second way of measuring one's wealth is Jesus's way (Luke 21:1-4), based on how much one gives away. The poor widow was lauded by Jesus as the most charitable giver in the Temple court, since she gave all she had. Embededed in the Forbes magazine's article about Mr. Shi is a box comparing national charity. U.S. tops the list by giving 1.85% of its GDP, followed by a distant second, UK (0.84%) and third, France (0.32%), and others, Brazil (0.29%), South Korea (0.18%), Germany (0.13%), India (0.09%), and China (0.05%). Apparently China has a long way to go before catching on with the spirit of charity. Mr. Shi so far donated $2 million in China (including $82,000 for erecting a statue of Buddha at his hometown's temple) and $5 million to Al Gore's climate change organization. Ms. Yang Huiyan did better with $32 million donations last year. China had 1,369 charities at the end of 2007, a third of which were run privately.

The two types of richness occasionally go hand in hand. Most fortunately, the world's wealthiest men, Warren Buffett ($62B), and the once wealthiest for the last 13 years, Bill Gates ($58B), are also the most charitable givers. In fact, virtually all of Warren Buffett's and Bill's fortunates will end up in the Bill and Belinda Gates Foundation. I salute them for their generosity.

It is worth noting that four of the 53 richest Indians made to the top 4, 5, 6, and 8 spots. The top fifth guy is building a 27-story home. Hmm, I wonder if he will change bedroom every other week. The youngest billionaire is a 23-year old Harvard dropout (sounds familiar?), Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, an online social utility that connects you with people around you. Boy, if only I knew better, I might as well stand a chance to be ranked among the richest.

But hey, I am already among the richest, being a co-heir with the King of kings and Lord of lords. I guess this kind of richness belongs to neither of the above categories. It is definitely not accumulated by my personal effort, nor is it inherited due to blood or familial relation, but fully endowed by the grace of God. Best of all, this last type of richness is forever enduring, wholely unlike the earthly fortune.

Have you got it? Why not come to Jesus and share his richness beyond measure? Feel like a zillionaire now!