[EDITORIALS]Through a needle’s eye
Published: 18 Jun. 2006, 22:07
The world’s richest person, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, announced that he would step down from day-to-day control at the company he founded to devote more time to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Out of his estimated personal wealth of $50 billion, he has announced that “only” $10 million will be set aside for his family, with the rest to be used for charity. We can easily understand how difficult the decision must have been to leave work at 51, at the peak of his career.
Mr. Gates said at a press conference that he had decided to change his priority from work to charity. He said he had an obligation to return his wealth to society in the best way possible.
This is a breath of fresh air to Koreans, who have been accustomed to seeing the wealthy using dirty methods to hand over their riches to their offspring as long as they can get away with it.
Through Mr. Gates, we are able to learn that wealth can truly be a wonderful medium. He made human life more convenient by developing computer software and, thanks to his charity efforts, the whole world will become a brighter and more comfortable one.
The Bible says that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.
The world will lose one of its best entrepreneurs, but at the same time it has gained a great person to respect. It seems fitting to present Mr. Gates with the nickname, “The Great Gates.”
We hope that his recent decision sets an example all of the rich people in the world and imposes an ethical burden on them.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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