No one would have questioned the CEO for keeping his bonus. After all, he deserved it. He had worked hard to make sure his company stayed in the black. In fact, he even led the company to increase its sales and market share. His performance was commendable; his reward, entirely appropriate.
But when Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing was awarded a $4.23 million bonus this year, he voluntarily gave $3.25 million to his employees, mirroring his actions in the previous year. The money would be given to approximately 10,000 hourly employees who were ineligible for bonuses or sales commissions. The $325 each employee received was equivalent to a month’s pay in China. How’s that for generosity?
Yuanqing’s selfless gift was motivated by a desire to help each employee realize the impact he was making on the company. It is hard not to want to give your very best when working for a boss like Yuanqing. The motivation would not be just the generous monetary gift, but the heart which inspired it. Who wouldn’t want to work for someone like that?
The Gift Which Started It All
I can’t help but make the connection to the generous Gift God presented to the world on the very first Christmas. Jesus was a free Gift who was given to help us realize the depth of God’s love for humanity. In His humble birth and its proclamation to ostracized shepherds, Jesus showed God’s love for the common man. In His sacrificial death, Jesus demonstrated God’s love for every man. In His glorious resurrection, Jesus made eternal life available to any man who would believe on Him. With a generous gift like salvation and a loving God like Jehovah, who wouldn’t want to live a life of service to Jesus Christ?
Don’t allow the commercialism of the Christmas season to dim the memory of the Gift and the Giftgiver. Instead, let God’s generosity make you a giving person; let His love make you a loving person; let His selfless sacrifice make you a servant. As you give and love and serve others, you will demonstrate the kind of Christmas spirit which brings joy to the world, peace on earth, and good will to all men.
By Cameron Edwards
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