When I was starting out in business, in the 1950s and 1960s, there was an interesting economic philosophy being espoused. The idea was to master the art of “Quid pro quo.” Simply stated, “I’ll do this for you, and you will have to reciprocate by doing that for me.”
Books were written and speakers were teaching that if you wanted to “get rich quick” you had to master the art of giving something to someone, and being sharp enough to manipulate the other person into giving back to you something way more valuable than what you had given to him or her. You could get rich quick if you could successfully trick enough other people to slip up and give you more than you had given them. That’s what they liked to refer to as “profit.”
By the 1970s, the “Give to Get” notion had even permeated the church world. Certain evangelical preachers and disparate fund raisers were excitedly proclaiming that they knew how to put God in a box and make him work for you. You see, the bible says that if you plant one seed, God makes that one seed grow until you have a whole corn stalk, with thousands of seeds all for your very own. And they would say, “So, since I am God’s representative, you should donate to me, and God will have to give to you a whole lot back – You Give to Get!”
One day, I actually heard a “tele-evangelist” who was in financial trouble, tell his audience that they needed to quickly send him $100 in cash, check, or personal money order, and God would guarantee to give them back at least $1,000 in cash, check, or personal money order in return before the end of the year! “It’s called ‘Give to Get’ and it is part of the ‘Gospel of Prosperity.”
When I heard the fellow’s plea for the money, I was reminded of the verse in the bible that asks, “And who could ever offer the Lord enough to induce him to act?” Of course, the obvious answer is, “No one.” God owns it all anyway, and cannot be bribed, manipulated or blackmailed. The problem with dealing with “half-truths” is that you are likely to get hold of the wrong half! It is certain that God always repays when you give – that’s part of His economy, but the selfish motive of “giving to get” is not part of the deal.
I am so very appreciative that I’ve had the opportunity to live long enough to see how some of those things work out. The old English preacher, John Bunyan, who wrote the classic book, “Pilgrim’s Progress” used to tell his people that, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” Ultimately, it seems that a person can become better off, more certainly and quicker, by making other people better off.
I’ve personally discovered that it is best not to waste your time worrying about how much you can get in return, but rather – just do what’s right – and do it Now!
As I look back over the years, I am humbled and very grateful for the extremely rare experiences I have had in North Korea, DPRK. I have been there an unprecedented eight times. They have told me that Project C.U.R.E. was the first to ever bring to them desperately needed donations of medical supplies and pieces of medical equipment. I hold the very first shipping license granted from USA Dept. of Commerce and State Dept. to DPRK’s Nampo port.
On one occasion my son and I were actually in Pyongyang when the huge dam broke on the Yalu River. At the time two of our huge ocean-going containers were off-loading in Hong Kong onto North Korean ships. Ours were the first and only donations of aid to DPRK during the tragedy. Their question to me then was, “How did you know that our cities would be flooded out and our people would be in need of your supplies…how did you know?”
On my fourth trip back into the DPRK I had a very rewarding experience. The different North Korean leaders enjoyed taking turns hosting me upon my return to Pyongyang. I had become good friends with the minister of health, Dr. Choi Chang Sik, and it was his turn to have me come to his department and welcome me. His offices were formal and elegant with plush chairs, hand woven carpets and delicate lace furniture coverings. We sat at separate, low profile, hand-carved tables, being served insam or ginseng tea. Several attendants in the room transcribed every word that was spoken during the meeting.
We joked and laughed together at the beginning before formal protocol took over. The host always spoke formally first, then the guest would be given time for a brief response; the discourse would continue back and forth. Minister Choi Chang Sik cleared his throat and I knew it was time for the formalities to begin.
“Mister Jackson,” he said, “three more of your very large ocean-going cargo containers have recently been received at our Nampo port and I have personally overseen the distribution of the medical goods to the hospitals and clinics as agreed. Great Leader Kim Il Sung, Dear Leader Kim Jong Il, and all the people of the DPRK personally thank you for your kindness. But you are a mystery to us and we are somewhat confused. We have recorded every word you have said while in the DPRK and have filed those words in our Grand Building of Education. You have given millions of dollars-worth of needed medical supplies and equipment to our people. We cannot figure out what it is that you want. We have reviewed your words and you never give away what it is that you want from us. Mister Jackson: What is it that you want?”
I leaned back against the ornate lace on the chair and chuckled. “Dr. Choi,” I said, smiling, “You have asked me a very direct question. I will answer you with a very direct answer. Had you not asked me directly I would not have answered you directly. Do you have time for a very small story?”
“Of course, I have time. Please go on.”
“When I was a little boy, I determined that I would be a millionaire by the time I was twenty-five years old. You understand what it means to be a millionaire?”
“Oh yes,” he said.
“My brothers and I worked very hard and we tried to learn as much as possible about becoming rich. By the time I was thirty years old I had become sixteen times wealthier than I ever dreamed I would be in my entire life. But no one had told me that accumulating wealth wouldn’t necessarily make me a happy man. I was not a happy man. My wife and I talked about it and asked each other the question, ‘Just when were we most happy in our life?’ We agreed that it was during the time when we had no money, but only had love and good health and a dream.
So, we decided to give all our wealth away and start over again. I asked God to forgive me for being such a selfish man, and promised that from that time forward I would spend all my energy and time helping other people. God answered my prayer and changed the mainspring of the ticking clock of my life. I became a different person than before.
You now ask directly what I want from you. The answer is that I want nothing in return from you for any good thing that I ever do for you. I have given these medical supplies to you and your people because I love you and I will never ask anything from you in return.”
The minister of health was totally stunned as he sat looking at me. He then lowered his cup of tea down to the ornately carved table and stood up. When he stood up, I stood up. I was culturally aware enough to know that Asians do not touch others in public—they just don’t! But Dr. Choi came to where I was standing. He approached me, opened his arms and hugged me with a big bear hug!
“All my life I was trained to hate you and even kill you,” he said. “But you are my brother! I love you!”
Yes, it is true – a compassionate and unselfish gesture can reach a wound that only “goodness” can heal. Joy and fulfillment will be realized when we stop selfishly demanding, and start giving and serving – expecting nothing in return.
Next Week: Goodness is usually Sparked by Insight and Awareness