Jonathan Gonzalez         

ENGL 0250-153

H. Susi

Ana Veciana Suarez, author of, When Greed Gives Way to Giving speaks about a rare case involving both generosity and wealth. A man named Bob Thompson sold his company for $422 million dollars. Contrary to your typical stereo types, this man’s goal was not too wealthy. Although it may sound like a contradiction due to the money he inherited his generosity, not only blew Suarez’s mind, but mind as well. Selling his company and receiving the proceeds Suarez states “He divided $128 million among his 550 workers.”

Bob was an ordinary man with a family and a dream. He started his modest road building company in his in his basement. A dream takes many things to develop, but over all it takes drive, persistence and support. A wife is not only the back bone and pillar of the house, in this case, she was also the support. Bob’s wife worked as a nurse while he pursed his dream. I can relate to this, because my father and mother owned a restaurant. Although they both owned it, it was my father’s dream. He worked there full time, but my mother had a second job to make sure everything stayed afloat.

Mr. Thompson came from a very humble beginnings. As a man I cannot imagine how humbling is to have the woman you made a promise to always provide for provide for you. Humility is the beginning of understanding. In my mind the best way to learn is through accepting help. Thompson not only understood what it was to receive help, he also understood what it meant to give it. He made sure that his employees kept their jobs in the buyout, and even included employees that had already retired in his plan. He didn’t just think about the present he thought about their futures. This is genuine care and generosity.

When I think about this story I am reminded of a very important figure in my own life, Christ. Jesus Christ was very generous with all that he had. He also put others before himself. Like Christ, Thompson knew what was like to come from humble beginning. Also he was not born in a manger, he did never changed his modest home where he lived for 37 years. It is quite apparent to me that Thompson’s goal was to live his life and help others as much as he could along the way.

In the grand scheme of it all, as grand as this story sounds it is very hard to believe. In believing the story, told by Suarez, it provokes thoughts that might make you question your moral values. Some may think he gave too much, or if he gave less it would have been enough. Bob stated that he would continue giving for the rest of his life. I know for a fact it is not for taxes breaks. In fact I believe Bob is a hero with a big heart, like heroes he is set apart. Many rich people have given gifts, but Bob sowed seeds out of love not out of greed.