Who is rich? Recently, I heard a discourse. It said that only those with whom there is excess to be shared are rich. That meant that the man owning a million need not necessarily be rich, unless he has something to share. The story that Bill Gates once told a channel representative is about the richest person in the world, to whom he also owed some cash.
On his way back, Gates once picked up a newspaper from a stand in the New York Airport, only to find that he had no change to pay for it. So, he gave it back but the vendor insisted that he take it. So, he took it. The same thing happened again.
Nineteen years later, Gates remembered the vendor. By that time, Gates had become the richest person in the world. He decided to look for him. He could find him too. The vendor told him that he knows him and also remembers to have given two issues of the newspaper free. Gates said, “Well, I now want to repay you for your kindness. Ask me whatever you want, and I will fulfil it,” Gates said.
The vendor hesitated. He asked softly, “But Sir, can whatever you do now match my kindness and help?” Gates appeared confused.
“Why not?” he asked.
The vendor replied, “Sir, I helped you when I was a poor newspaper vendor. And you are trying to help me now, when you have become the richest man in the world. How can you help match mine?”
The value of what we give depends upon how rich we are.
