In my previous post I introduced you to John D. Rockefeller a prolific businessman who get his start in the oil industry. As I mentioned, Rockefeller was a devotedly religious man and one of America’s greatest philanthropists.
Regarding his Christian faith, Rockefeller would read the Bible daily, attend prayer meetings twice a week and even led his own Bible study with his wife. He tithed, rested on the Sabbath and gave away much of his money to charity. Burton Folsom Jr. has noted, “he sometimes gave tens of thousands of dollars to Christian groups, while, at the same time, he was trying to borrow over a million dollar to expand his business.” Additionally, Rockefeller took time to spend with his family, something that confused many businessmen.
Rockefeller’s philanthropy was extensive. As his own personal fortune grew, so did the amount of money he gave to good causes. By the time he was 45 years old, he had given away $100,000 per year. At 53, he hit $1,000,000 per year, and at 80 he gave away $138,000,000. In total, historians estimate that he gave away $550,000,000 which is more than any other American before him.
His philosophy of giving was founded upon biblical principles. He truly believed in the biblical principle found in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
With Rockefeller’s philanthropy, people were able to build schools, churches and hospitals. He was able to support missionaries and was able to bring the message of Christianity the whole world. His support led to privately funded teams of scientists who found cures for yellow fever, meningitis and hookworm. His giving also led to vast improvements in education for many. He gave tens of millions to the University of Chicago, black schools, Southern schools and Baptist schools. Yet, not all the schools continually received money; improved results were a requirement. This was based upon Rockefeller’s interpretation of the parable of the talents and the Apostle Paul’s writing that, “if any would not work, neither should he eat.”
As he neared the end of his life, Rockefeller learned how to enjoy the small things in life. He learned how to tango, hired a caddy to help with his golf swing and spent more time with his family—especially his grandkids. He would also watch people who passed his house and gave dimes to children telling them to work and to save.
Rockefeller serves as a great example of what it means to be a good steward of what God has given us. He also is a reminder to abide by those seemingly counterintuitive instructions to rest on the Sabbath and to give so that we might have more.
Is this article supposed to be a joke? I am apalled by the utter ignorance here on the evil, globalist man Rockefeller was. I mean, come on, even fundamentalist Christian websites expose this vain man for what he really was. This article, written from your worldview even demonstrates my point:http://www.seekgod.ca/rockefeller.htm
All people have different skills given to us by God. John D. Rockefeller was given the gift of business, and he used what he earned to serve God. For being one of the richest men ever, I am sure he has his failures, but don’t we all? From what I understand, he was given a gift, and he used it. Have you done the same?
it is amazing how most people major on minors. i believe the prospects of this man is worthy of note. it could be he had his own weakness but the facts still remains that in all he made a remarkable impact and i believe he fulfill his days as well.
The globalist empire began after John, actually. John D Rockefeller wasn’t a globalist. His son, David Rockefeller is a globalist. They aren’t the same person… David inherited the fortune that John created.
Thank you, Kurt. This is not easily received by people with today’s prevailing “progressive” prejudices.
What a wonderful story. It’s so sad that we are told of this. However, the “prince of darkness” (i.e. the devil) is at work in the minds of those without faith (or more so reject Christ) to suppress the truth in unbelief and to cover the light wherever they find it, no matter how bright and brilliant because, as in the words of our own Lord Jesus Christ, “men loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.”
Thank you! Really nice to learn all this. Wish there more more like this. With appreciation, Pastor Adam Barton.
He also did a few evil deeds which makes me wonder was He really a follower of Christ. Read his history. What he did to his workers, how he stopped natural medicine so he can have his drugs flood the market. You can’t do evil works and ask forgiveness, it really doesn’t work that way. You truly have to repent and forsake and make restitution.
Rockefeller actually worked with many of his laborers. Instead of just being a high and mighty robber-baron, he was connected with his workers as well.
Please cite where he abused his workers. Every source I’ve read states he was quite good to them. All I’m asking for is a citation. I hear all this rot about the man but nobody ever cites anything. Just sounds like spoon fed rubbish. I’ve actually read a lot about the man and most of this rot is completely unfounded.
He was religious. That doesn’t mean he followed Christ. I will say, he lived a long life, his children are all still living, he had great wealth. He survived his wife. He had a good life. What God will see when he looks at him now (after death) may or may not be his holy spirit. I hope it is.
You won’t. In fact the total number of competitors rose during his time, Don’t knock a man without some facts or research. Otherwise you’re just puppeting what you hear, which is evidence of a low IQ.
Maybe you shouldn’t judge people’s IQ because they disagree with you: because if you can’t even recall one of America’s most influential muckrakers, you must not even have a basic college/High School-AP US-history course completed.
44 Each tree is known by its proper fruit; figs are not plucked from thorns, nor grapes gathered from brier bushes.
“Everyone has heard of the royal hunting parties rumours but are they true? well yes it seems so but not just the British Royal Family the nazis and Hitler also did it, The Rothschilds did and probably still do and also people including Hillary and Bill Clinton, ( David Rockefeller) , George Bush Snr and Jnr and basically the whole 1% elite.
Cathy O’Brien is a prime example she has spoken out about the hunting parties her and her daughter had to go through.”
Thank you for these great words of encouragement. The older and more experienced I get the greater my understanding of the dignity of work becomes. The only way out of poverty is work.