Big billionaire news over the past few days. First Bill Gates (#1 rich guy) announces that he will step down from daily involvement at Microsoft in a couple of years so that he can bring more focus and direction to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The BMG Foundation has focused on health issues (especially AIDS) and education. The case can be made that their foundation has made a lot of difference and has powerful potential.
Then Warren Buffet (#2 rich guy) announces that he is going to give about $31 Billion of his worth to the BFM Foundation which doubles the assets of the foundation to about $60 Billion! The world will watch with great interest to see what the BMG Foundation will do.
USA Today's telling of Buffet's contribution quoted Buffet as saying, "There is more than one way to get to heaven, but this is a great one." I have no idea if Buffet was serious or not but the comment certainly reflects the common opinion of many Americans.
Many have concluded that there are many ways of going to heaven and, most believe going to heaven is about being a good person.
As a Bible-believing Christian I accept what Jesus said as recorded in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by Me." I understand that not everyone accepts what the Bible says as truth. But, if you don't accept the Bible I have two questions--
1. What will be your source of truth? Popular opinion? What makes sense or seems fair to you? You can't accept all religions as "truth" because they differ too much. Someone has to be wrong.
2. If there are many ways to go to heaven and just being good gets you there then the death of Jesus was unnecessary. Hundreds of early Christians died a martyr's death because they believed that Jesus' death was redemptive and unique. Whatever you think about Christians and Christianity the crucifixion of Jesus is a huge historical event.
Who gets to go to heaven?
3 comments:
Scott - Interesting post. I hadn't heard Buffet's comments about getting to heaven even as a "Buffet" observer. I'm thrilled to see Buffet and Gates giving away their money to help others but agree with your commentary. Thanks for starting the blog.
Jeff C.
I finished watching the 3 part PBS Charlie Rose special on Warren Buffet last night, and one of the things Buffet was discussing was "faith without action." The question was brought up as to why he wouldn't leave the money to his children, and he said that he didn't believe in dyanastic wealth. Buffet stated "I'll leave my kids enough to do anything they want, but not enough to do nothing. Everyone should make a signifigant impact in the world."
Granted, as you said Scott, this does not give you the Golden Ticket into heaven. Christ made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can go to a place we may not deserve to be in, and the only way to get there is to follow his word. I am glad though that Buffet is using his money to help out in the world and save a few lives, lives who will hopefully follow Christ, rather than letting his money fund the Paris Hilton's of the earth.
-Chris D.
Chris,
Thanks for pointing out the PBS special on Buffet. I'll have to look for a repeat.
His line about why he didn't leave all his money to his kids is one to remember.
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