When Greed Gives Way to Giving by Ana Veciana-Suarez

            Bob Thompson, a 67 year old man, owned a successful road-building company. After years of hard work Thompson felt it was time to sell his company, he profited $422 million. Thompson generously shared his millions with his employees. Many of Thompson’s co-workers became millionaires themselves, after receiving their pay check and yearly bonus. One employee thought that her check amount was incorrect, saying that the commas were in the wrong place. Ana Veciana-Suarez, author of, When Greed Gives Way to Giving, covers the story of Bob Thompson.

            Bob Thompson wasn’t the typical rich man. Although it was his business and his $422 million, he wouldn’t have seen that success if it weren’t for his employees.  Thompson could have simply sold the business and moved on. He could have bought a mansion, a yacht, even a private jet if he so desired, but Thompson wasn’t selfish and never over embellished. “He possesses something as priceless as it is rare: generosity”. I believe the character of a person says more about them than the money they have.

            When the store I was working for closed, I was left stranded, along with thousands of other employees. The stores were given a one week notice which wasn’t enough time to find another job. Not only was this a financial burden, it was mentally frustrating. I worked six years for this company and I was unable to have a face to face conversation with someone as to why this was happening. I felt more like a number in their system than I did a person. It didn’t matter how hard I worked, the owners of the company were only looking out for themselves.

            I find it disrespectful when wealthy individuals flaunt their money to the world. The other day ESPN had a brief segment on boxer Floyd Mayweather. Mayweather floods his Instagram with pictures of exotic cars, jewelry and his mansions, all of which are materialistic values. He also, at all times, keeps $1 million in the trunk of his car. Mayweather isn’t shy about that either, if asked about it he’ll take the duffle bag from the trunk of the car and dump the money wherever he is standing. It’s one thing to be proud of your accomplishments, it’s another to rub it in other people’s faces. To see someone act like this is disgraceful, some individuals are working three jobs just to get by.

            I admire individuals such as Bob Thompson. He worked hard to create a business from the ground up. He realizes how difficult it is to have nothing. People who are born into money spend their money carelessly. They don’t know what hard work is and how it feels to accomplish something. The world could use more people like Bob Thompson.