John D. Rockefeller was once the richest man in the world. The world's first billionaire. At age 25, he controlled one of America's largest oil refineries. By the age of 31, he had become the world's largest oil refiner. By age 38, he had refined 90 percent of the oil in the United States.
By 50, he was the richest man in the country. As a young man, every decision, attitude, and relationship was designed to build his personal power and wealth.
But at the age of 53, he fell ill. His whole body shook with pain, and all his hair fell out. In utter agony, the world's only billionaire could buy anything he wanted, but could only digest soup and crackers. He couldn't sleep, couldn't smile, and nothing in life meant anything to him, wrote a colleague. His personal, highly specialised doctors predicted that he would die within a year. That year passed slowly in agony.
As he approaches death, he wakes up one morning with the vague realisation that he is unable to take any of his wealth with him to the next world. The man who could control the business world suddenly realised that he was not in control of his life. He was left with a choice.
He called his attorney, accountant, and managers and announced that he wanted to transfer his assets to hospitals, research, and charity.
John D. Rockefeller established his foundation. This new direction eventually led to the discovery of penicillin, a treatment for malaria, tuberculosis, and diphtheria.
But perhaps the most amazing part of Rockefeller's story is that the moment he started giving back a portion of everything he earned, his body chemistry changed so dramatically that he became better and better. Gone. There was a time when it seemed that he would die at the age of 53. But he lived to the age of 98. By giving wealth to charity, he became healthy. As if this thing called charity is also a method of treatment. Try it too.
Before his death, he wrote in his diary,
"The Supreme Energy taught me that everything belongs to Him, and I am only a channel to obey His wishes."
My life has been one long, happy holiday, full of work and play.
I left the worry behind, and my God was_ "Every day was good for me."
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