Investing in Human Relations

Today my church had a very interesting sermon. So interesting in fact that I’m doomed to forget it yet have the message engrained in my memory. One of the best things one can do in life is give, because every time you give you get back what you gave in heaven. A while back, I recall reading that Ben Affleck made an appearance at the Democratic National Convention in which he claimed that the government gave him a million dollars last year that he did not need.

Does anyone here not know how much Ben Affleck makes? Let’s take a look at his salary as noted on the IMDB, shall we?

Paycheck (2003)
$15,000,000
Gigli (2003)
$12,500,000
Daredevil (2003)
$11,500,000 + gross participations
Sum of All Fears, The (2002)
$12,500,000
Changing Lanes (2002)
$10,000,000
Bounce (2000)
$12,500,000
Reindeer Games (2000)
$6,000,000
Armageddon (1998)
$600,000
Good Will Hunting (1997)
$300,000 (split $600,000 script sale with Matt Damon)
Chasing Amy (1997)
$7,000
School Ties (1992)
$30,000
Daddy (1991) (TV)
$20,000

Does anyone sense an equation brewing here? Mr. Affleck, which of these millions of dollars did you not need? Couldn’t you have settled for less? And there’s no way of bullshitting around it either. No matter how many charities this guy supports, he’s keeping an outrageous sum for himself. Check out his website: www.benaffleck.com. I don’t see any plans to support a charity. Do you?

In short, I cannot provide an immediate example of who to be, but this can be a lesson in who not to be. Ben Affleck, like all other Big named Hollywood stars, is NOT a giver. He’s a taker. Be a giver. Give. I can’t spread the word any better than that.