The Fine Art of Giving
The local United Way office realized that it had never received a donation from the town’s most successful lawyer. The volunteer in charge of contributions called the lawyer to persuade him to contribute.
“Our research shows that you have a yearly income of more than $600,000, yet you don’t give a penny to charity. Wouldn’t you like to give back to the community in some way?”
The lawyer mulled this over for a moment and then replied: “First of all, did your research also show that my mother is dying from a long illness and she has medical bills that are several times her annual income?”
Embarrassed, the United Way rep mumbled, “Um … no.”
“Secondly, my brother, a disabled veteran, is blind and confined to a wheelchair?”
The stricken United Way rep began to stammer out an apology but was interrupted.
“Plus, my sister’s husband died in a traffic accident…,” the lawyer’s voice rising with indignation…, “leaving her penniless with three children?”
The humiliated United Way rep, completely beaten down, meekly replied: “I had absolutely no idea… ”
The lawyer interrupted again, “And, I don’t give any money to them, so why should I give any to you!”