A story of giving

There is a story in the New Testament that I have always liked - it is from Mark 12:41-44 and goes like this:

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.  Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.  Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on."

It's usually referred to as the "Parable of the Poor Widow," and it has always been one of my favorites.  The story reminds me of something I read a while ago, but it has always stuck with me to this very day.  Shortly after the events of 9/11, government officials and citizens from around the world expressed their support of the United States - at times, foreign countries pledged their political and military support, while in other cases, countries offered their condolences, their thoughts, and their prayers.  Apparently, a group of Kenyan Masai tribespeople offered their support in the form of the greatest gift that they could give - fourteen cows.  William Brancick, a representative from the U.S. State Department actually attended a ceremony to accept the cows, stating, "I know that for the Masai people the cow is valued above all possessions and that the gift of a cow is the highest expression of regard and sympathy."  He went on to say to the Masai tribespeople present at the ceremony, "When we count the value of these cows, and when we add the value of the great spirits that gave them, we can say without doubt that you seem richer still." 

Incidentally, the cows were never brought back to America.  A few years later, another U.S. official came back to Kenya to complete a deal for the tribe to take care of the "American cows" for America.  The U.S. official also announced that a scholarship had been created for fourteen children to attend school, which has continued to this day.  Also of note, the "American cows" now number more than thirty!  These cows are marked as the "American cows" by a special "Twin Towers" marking on their ears.  There is a children's book about this story which can be downloaded here.  It is a beautiful story of service and giving.

I know what you are probably thinking - what in the world do these two stories have to do with leadership and health care.  I would respond by saying, "Everything."  Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said, "Real leaders are not blinded by the trappings of power but recognize their role as servants."  Leadership starts and ends with service, and service starts with giving.