jeffturley

We live in interesting times with 80 million baby boomers on the verge of retirement.  Experts are estimating the shift of wealth to the next generation will be between $9-11 trillion.  We have started to catch a glimpse of the shift with the philanthropy of Gates and Buffet, and many will experience the Gates/Buffet relationship in a "mini-microcosm."  How the boomers and their children handle the greatest migration of wealth to influence the world will be intriguing to watch.

Here are 5 perspectives I'm wrestling with in my own life.

1. "The world is full of miserable places. One way of living comfortably is not to think about them or when you do to send money." Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr Paul Farmer, A man who would cure the world.

2. "In a world of mollionaires and billionaires, my responsibility is to focus upon what has been entrusted to me and model giving to those I will entrust."

3. "Remember the woman who gave pennies gave much more than those who gave thousands."  (paraphrase of Luke 21:1-4) -- The art of giving is more about heart than the amount given.

4. "Like the Gates Foundation and Robin Hood, the Clinton Foundation is part of a new turn in philanthropy, in which the lines between not-for-profits, politics, and business tend to blur.  In this hard headed philanthropic world, outcomes matter more than intentions, influence isn't measured in dollars alone, and you hear buzzwords like  "scalability," "sustainability," and "measurability" all the time."  Forbes.

5. Dr Farmer stated that Margaret Mead once said, "Never underestimate the ability of a small group (family group) of committed individuals to change the world."  He paused. "Indeed, they are the only ones who ever have." Mountain Beyond Mountains