Bill Gates

Dear Victorious,

Jesus said it is easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven. We read about people like Bill Gates, who is the richest man in the world. And we read about their so-called philanthropy. But really, can they be doing that much good?

Janice M. - Miami

Dear Janice,

I don't know if Bill Gates will get into heaven or not. I don't even know how hard it may or may not be for him to get into heaven. According to reputable business magazines, he is apparently the richest man in the world. And yes, he and his wife funded a private foundation in their name with Microsoft stock.

Are they really doing any good with it? Of course you could read their annual report and get their IRS filings to see how they report the good that they do. You could also read industry (philanthropy) studies that rank the effectiveness of various charities. Of course that would all take time and require some research on your part. I think there is an easier way.

According to official reports that all non-profit foundations of a certain size are required to file with the U.S. government each year, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gave away $2,011,456,496 in the fiscal year 2007 (figures for 2008 are not yet available). That is just over $2 billion. It equates to over $5.5 million every single day of the year, $229,618 every hour of every single day of the year and $3,827 every minute of every hour of every single day of the year. They are giving away a lot of money. In 2007 they gave away 29.5% more than they had given away in 2006.

According to the Gates Foundation web site, they only give money to things with "measurable impact." In other words, they try to give money to smart initiatives that really can make a difference - which can be measured. I don't know if they're Christian people or not. But the criteria they're using probably eliminates most religious charities ... with the exception of the more sophisticated ones that may be able to actually measure the impact of their efforts. The Gates' seem to give most of the money to education and health. They've given vast sums to help fight AIDS, provide immunizations in third world countries and educate the poor.

Frankly, I don't find it difficult to believe that Bill and Melinda Gates are doing some good with their money. Whether they're doing all they could, I really don't know. But I applaud what they are doing. And I pray that the organizations and initiatives that they fund will be effective. You should pray that too!