“For God is not unrighteous to forget
your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye
have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10 (KJV)
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Thanks
to my wonderful readers, especially those who have been supporting me for a
long time!
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In the short
term, nice people finish last. Fair? No. That’s life? Yes.
Sort of.
Sometimes. Temporarily.
Luckily, nurturing
relationships also thrive, and they have longevity. Please see my last article
about how some individuals are lucky enough to learn that kindness brings long-term
rewards.
Powerhouse People
Generally
speaking, a person can make more enemies than friends on the way to the top of
any industry. It’s a cutthroat world out there. If a person isn’t willing to
play hardball, they aren’t going to make it to the big leagues. That translates
to being willing to push the “little guys” around, or step on them.
The Pendulum Swings the Other Way
Life also has
a way of leveling the playing field.
History records that the most prominent “robber barons” of the late 19th
century turned to philanthropy at the end of their lives. They all donated
major portions of their personal assets to finance life-changing breakthroughs in
the arts, education, and science.
Initially, these
men suppressed opposition, including labor unrest, on their way to the top. “Powerful”
is an inadequate word for them. They eventually switched their ambition from
selfish motives to humanitarian goals, however. Perhaps these deeply religious
men (John D. Rockefeller didn’t even smoke or drink) desired to give back a
portion of what they had received.
Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) Steel
This entrepreneur
is considered one of the richest people ever. In 1901, he sold Carnegie Steel
for $480 million to John Pierpont (J.P.) Morgan. I have no idea what that would
be in today’s money. It boggles the
mind.
Legacy:
- Gave away 90% of his fortune to charities, foundations, universities, and libraries
- Funded critical medical research
- Built Carnegie Hall in 1891 (This venue is still one of the most prestigious sites for both classical and popular music in the world.)
John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937) Oil
He’s the patriarch of the still-strong
Rockefeller clan. His net worth at its peak was $334 billion. His company,
Standard Oil, was so powerful that the Supreme Court eventually broke it down
into smaller companies.
Legacy:
- Founded University of Chicago and Rockefeller University
- Served in his church
- Created foundations that affected medicine, education, and scientific research
Cornelius (Commodore) Vanderbilt (1797-1877)
Railroads and shipping
This titan is considered one of the richest Americans in
history. He pretty much controlled the early railroads, although he began his
career in shipping.
Legacy:
- Descendants also include powerful people. His niece, Consuela, married the 9th Duke of Marlborough, the cousin of Sir Winston Churchill. His great-great-granddaughter is fashion designer, Gloria Vanderbilt. Her son is TV news anchor, Anderson Cooper.
- Financed Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee
John Pierpont (JP)
Morgan (1837-1913) Banking
He was so rich; his wealth was often considered as a percentage
of the gross national product (GNP). Let’s put it this way: He loaned the U.S.
government the money to build the Panama Canal.
Legacy:
- Trustee of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City
- Donated a huge amount of his personal art collection and finances to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) in New York
NOTE: This is the largest art museum
in America and the second most-visited one in the world (second only to Paris’
Louvre.) It also offers world-class performances. Wikipedia calls it one of the
most prestigious cultural hubs around.
Approximately five million visitors a year enjoy this extravaganza of sophistication.
My Conclusion
The top
entrepreneurs of the Gilded Age were usually considered ruthless and cunning. Some
of their descendants have also been successful, because the accomplishments
were paid forward. Aside from worldly success, these men maintained religious
devotion and service throughout their stellar careers.
Near the end
of their lives, they came to realize that power and money weren’t enough of a
legacy for them. These powerful men’s priorities changed. They turned their
interests to serving other people instead of controlling them.
Maybe we can
learn a lesson from them. Today’s influence only goes so far, and it doesn’t
bring eternal rewards. The best heritage to leave for our families, or all of
mankind, is one of kindness and service.
We remember and use the universities,
the libraries, and the cultural centers built with their resources. Do we
recall the details of their finances and organizations?
Think about it.
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