“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
—Sir Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister
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Maya Angelou, American memoirist and poet once said, “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”
One of the most exemplary instances of individuals who contributed generously and unconditionally is Jesus Christ Himself. God the Father sacrificed His only Son for the benefit of humanity. As stated in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should perish but have everlasting life.”
Recently, while surfing my social media, I came across some stories about some of the Hollywood stars from the past. Two Oscar winners showed us what it is like to be giving freely without expecting in return.
The first one was shared by Katharine Hepburn, the only thespian to have received four Oscars, including one where she shared the Best Actress trophy with Barbra Streisand. In her own words, Kate penned:
“Once, when I was a teenager, my father and I were standing in line to buy tickets for the circus. Finally, there was only one family between us and the ticket counter. That family made a lasting impression on me.
“There were eight children, all under the age of 12. From the way they were dressed, you could tell they didn’t have much money, but their clothes were clean, very clean. The children were well-behaved, standing in pairs behind their parents, holding hands.
“They were so excited about the clowns, the animals, and all the acts they would see that night. From their excitement, you could tell they had never been to a circus before. It was going to be a highlight of their lives.
“The father and mother stood proudly at the front of their little group. The mother was holding her husband’s hand, looking at him as if to say, ‘You’re my knight in shining armor.’ He was smiling, enjoying seeing his family happy.
“The ticket lady asked how many tickets he wanted, and he proudly responded, ‘I want eight children’s tickets and two adult tickets.’ Then she announced the price.
“The wife let go of her husband’s hand, her head dropped, and the man’s lip began to quiver. He leaned closer and asked, ‘How much did you say?’ The ticket lady repeated the price.
He didn’t have enough money. How was he supposed to turn around and tell his eight kids that he couldn’t afford to take them to the circus?
“Seeing what was happening, my dad reached into his pocket, pulled out a $20 bill, and dropped it on the ground. We weren’t rich by any means. My father bent down, picked up the $20 bill, tapped the man on the shoulder, and said, ‘Excuse me, sir, this fell out of your pocket.’
“The man understood what was happening. He wasn’t being handed charity, but he gratefully accepted the help in his desperate, heartbreaking, and embarrassing situation. He looked straight into my father’s eyes, took my dad’s hand in both of his, squeezed the bill tightly, and with trembling lips and a tear streaming down his cheek, he replied, ‘Thank you, sir. This really means so much to me and my family.’
“My father and I went back to our car and drove home. The $20 my dad gave away was what we had planned to use for our own tickets. Although we didn’t see the circus that night, we felt a joy inside us that was far greater than seeing the circus.
“That day, I learned the true value of giving. The Giver is greater than the Receiver. If you want to be great, greater than life itself, learn to give. Love has nothing to do with what you expect to get, only with what you expect to give—everything.”
Another story happened to Humphrey Bogart, who was Hepburn’s leading man The African Queen (for which he won his Best Actor Oscar). Perhaps his greatest love was Lauren Bacall with whom he appeared in several films.
During the 1944 filming of To Have and Have Not, which marked the first collaboration between the two, a somber event unfolded behind the scenes as cameras rolled and lights illuminated the set. A lighting technician received devastating news: his wife had tragically passed away in a car accident.
Overwhelmed by sorrow, he fell to the ground on the Warner Brothers lot, consoled by shocked colleagues. In the midst of the hectic studio schedules and film obligations, few took a moment to reflect on the fate of his two young children. However, one person did – Bogart.
Without disclosing anything to the press or crew, Bogart left the set and directed his assistant to take care of all matters: funeral expenses, travel, arrangements—every aspect covered completely. There was only one stipulation: his name was to remain undisclosed to the family.
Discreetly, he also requested assistance from someone in casting to help secure temporary care for the children. The next morning, Bogart returned to the set, acted alongside his wife, and never brought up the incident.
However, his compassion did not cease there. Long after the filming concluded, the technician began to receive monthly payments from an unidentified source. These payments persisted for years, covering expenses such as groceries, clothing, school supplies, and even future college costs.
There were no signatures or explanations provided. Just consistent support emanating from an unseen benefactor. Upon the technician’s passing in the early 1970s, his now-adult children stumbled upon a sealed envelope hidden among his possessions.
Inside was a straightforward note, handwritten and signed by Bogart: “What you gave to the film helped me shine on screen. What I can give your family will never repay that, but I hope it eases your days a little.”
