When opportunities arise for us to give freely to others our talent, knowledge, love or compassion, the spirit of true gifting requires that we do not concern ourselves with how much we might receive in return. Still, in the heart and soul of the generous there dwells a certainty that it will be returned; a conviction that there is a universal “boomerang effect” that giving initiates.
The following true story, that begins in 1892 at Stanford University, beautifully illustrates that even the smallest act of caring for another person is akin to a large rock being dropped into a pool of still water. Our kindness will create ripples that emanate from that act and, invariably, the currents created by those ripples will flow back to us.
An 18-year-old Stanford student was struggling to pay the cost of his education. He was an orphan, and not knowing where to turn for additional money, he and a student friend came up with a bright idea. They decided to host a musical concert on campus to raise enough money for both to cover the cost of their education for at least the next year.
Accepting that the worst potential outcome would be a declination, they reached out to the great pianist Ignacy J. Paderewski to see if they might snare him to do a concert on campus. Their written entreaty was received and handled by Paderewski’s manager who, while assenting to their request, demanded a guaranteed fee of $2,000 for a piano recital. Confident that such a renown and popular artist would certainly draw an adequate crowd, a deal was struck, and the boys began to work diligently to make the concert the financial success that they not only hoped it would be, but now needed it to be.
The big day arrived. Paderewski performed magnificently at the auditorium on the Stanford campus. But unfortunately, the two students, despite great effort expended, had not managed to sell enough tickets to breakeven. The total receipts collected totaled only $1,600. Greatly disappointed and fearful of the potential forfeiture of their collegiate future, they personally went to Paderewski and explained their plight. They offered to give him the entire $1,600, plus a personal check for the remaining balance owed of $400. However, inasmuch as they were now penniless, all they could give Paderewski was their solemn promise that they would honor the check as soon as they possibly could.
“No,” responded Paderewski. “This is not acceptable!”
He tore up the check and returned the $1,600 to the boys, saying, “Here’s the $1,600. Please deduct from it whatever other expenses you may have incurred and keep the remaining money to pay for your living needs and your tuition. And should you have anything left over after all of that then, and only then, you may just give me whatever is left”. The boys were surprised, relieved, and overjoyed. They thanked Paderewski profusely.
Though it was a relatively small act of kindness for such a successful person, in the grateful student’s minds his generous act clearly marked Paderewski as a great human being. They were in wonder as to why he would help two people that he did not even know.
We all come across situations like these in our lives. But, far too often in our “selfie society” the most prevalent question pondered when these circumstances arise is, “If I help them, how will that affect me?” Contrastingly, truly giving people think, “If I don’t help them, how will that affect them?” They don’t do it expecting something in return. They do it because they feel it’s the right thing to do.
Fast forward some two decades later. Paderewski now occupies the elected position as the Prime Minister of Poland. Not surprisingly, he has been a great leader, but now the chaos World War I has commenced, and Poland has been ravaged. There are more than 1.5 million people starving in his country, and no money in the treasury to feed them. Paderewski does not know where to turn for help. In desperation, he reaches out to the U.S. Food and Relief Administration for assistance.
At that time, the head of that federal department is a man named Herbert Hoover, who would later go on to become our 31st United States President.
Hoover agreed to do everything within his power to get help to the Polish people. He was ultimately successful in that endeavor and tons of food grain were subsequently shipped to Poland to feed its starving citizens.
As a direct result of that aid, a calamity of monumental proportions was averted. Paderewski was surprised, relieved, and overjoyed.
Though it was certainly not within the protocol of the day that a head of state officially visits a bureaucratic department head, Paderewski decided to personally travel to the United States to meet Hoover and thank him for his assistance in securing the generous aid package. When Paderewski met with Hoover and lauded him for his noble gesture, Hoover quickly interjected and responded, “You shouldn’t be thanking me, Mr. Prime Minister for, beyond the righteousness of the cause, I could not refuse your plea for assistance. You see, although you may not remember this, a number of years ago, you helped two young students get through Stanford University. I just happened to be one of them. I never forgot your act kindness and generosity; hence I surely could not ignore your request. I was compelled by your unselfish act of giving made so long ago to endeavor to do the same now.”
The message of this story remains as clear and enduring today as it has been from our beginnings – giving not only precedes receiving; it is the reason for it. For verily, it is in our giving that we receive.
Command those who are rich in the things of this life not to be proud, but to place their hope, not in such an uncertain thing as riches, but in God, who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share with others. In this way they will store up for themselves a treasure which will be a solid foundation for the future. And then they will be able to win the life which is true life. – 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Have an AWE-full Weekend!
William “Bill” Bacque