A very wealthy man invited his four married daughters to dinner. “I’m getting on in years,” he said to them, “and I’ve lived a full life for which I’m grateful. But I continue to be disappointed that none of you has given me a grandchild. Tomorrow I’m adding a provision to my will. It will state that the first of you who presents me with a grandchild will receive an extra bonus of one million dollars. Now, let us bow our heads and say Grace.” Then he closed his eyes, bowed his head, and said a short prayer. When he opened his eyes and looked up — everyone was gone!
We can identify with that situation. Money is a powerful incentive for just about all of us. And that’s not all bad. Money has its uses; it can be a healthy incentive. But it is bad when it becomes an obsession.
Biographer Philip Guedella often lectured on the art of writing biography. He…
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