Expect Nothing In Return
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series III, Cycle C
Regina Jennings worked as a custodian at West Virginia University College of Law for fifteen years. She dusted the offices, swept the halls, and mopped the floors for 10,000 dollars a year. Her husband retired as owner of a bowling alley. They considered themselves fortunate.
So fortunate in fact, that Regina was inspired to give 93,000 dollars to the school. Why? "Because they treated me like family. The school was my home." Regina made one of the largest single contributions to the school in its 120-year history.
Regina doesn't live in a mansion. She isn't chauffeured around in a limousine. She lives an ordinary life.
She didn't expect anything in return. But because of simple kindness, Regina has given a huge gift to the school. In return, a new computer room will bear her name.
Matel Dawson works as a forklift driver in an auto plant. He has worked there for almost sixty years. The fifth of seven children, he grew up in Louisiana. In seventh grade, he had to drop out to help support the family. He had always wanted to better himself, but times were hard during the Depression and he had to go to work. His mother, Bessie, was a laundress who was always willing to share with those less fortunate than herself. Bessie set the example for Matel to give something back, no matter how little one had.
Matel started giving money a few years ago to Louisiana State University, a school of 4,000 students in the town where he grew up. He gave 200,000 dollars. That's enough for eighteen students to receive four-year scholarships. He has given over 400,000 dollars to Wayne State University in Detroit and almost a quarter million to the United Negro College Fund. Several hundred thousand dollars has also been given to community colleges and churches.
Matel lives in a one-bedroom apartment. He has invested heavily, spent very little on himself, and given much to those who can use help.
Matel expects nothing in return. "I just want to be remembered as someone who tried to do good." Indeed, he does much good.
So fortunate in fact, that Regina was inspired to give 93,000 dollars to the school. Why? "Because they treated me like family. The school was my home." Regina made one of the largest single contributions to the school in its 120-year history.
Regina doesn't live in a mansion. She isn't chauffeured around in a limousine. She lives an ordinary life.
She didn't expect anything in return. But because of simple kindness, Regina has given a huge gift to the school. In return, a new computer room will bear her name.
Matel Dawson works as a forklift driver in an auto plant. He has worked there for almost sixty years. The fifth of seven children, he grew up in Louisiana. In seventh grade, he had to drop out to help support the family. He had always wanted to better himself, but times were hard during the Depression and he had to go to work. His mother, Bessie, was a laundress who was always willing to share with those less fortunate than herself. Bessie set the example for Matel to give something back, no matter how little one had.
Matel started giving money a few years ago to Louisiana State University, a school of 4,000 students in the town where he grew up. He gave 200,000 dollars. That's enough for eighteen students to receive four-year scholarships. He has given over 400,000 dollars to Wayne State University in Detroit and almost a quarter million to the United Negro College Fund. Several hundred thousand dollars has also been given to community colleges and churches.
Matel lives in a one-bedroom apartment. He has invested heavily, spent very little on himself, and given much to those who can use help.
Matel expects nothing in return. "I just want to be remembered as someone who tried to do good." Indeed, he does much good.
