A Penny More

I’ve always believed that we should return to society what we have received from them. We owe what have right now to God, and it’s only right that we pay Him back even if He’s not asking us to do the same.

Such was what real estate tycoon Genshiro Kawamoto did when he handed over three of his mansions in Hawaii to homeless families. The scene where Kawamoto eyes swelled upon being thanked tearfully by a recipient was featured in almost all dailies around the world.

The billionaire pledged that he would continue this act of kindness by opening up 8 of his 22 houses in the area to families who don’t have a place to go.

There’s a catch to this, though. While he gave the keys of his mansions to the needy recipients, he didn’t give them the titles to the properties. The lucky homeless families would only stay there as tenants. However, no rent would be asked of them. Kawamoto even gave them a thousand dollars to help them move in. The recipients would also have to pay the utility bills.

I’m all praises for Kawamoto. However, I think he should’ve done more than just open up his mansion to the needy. He already has more than enough to live comfortably until his death, and I’m sure that his heirs would be getting more than what they could spend in a lifetime upon the former’s demise. The least that he could do then to express his thanks to the Big Guy is to give rather than to lend some of his blessings.

Sure, letting the homeless families stay in his mansions rent-free would be of tremendous help to them. However, the billionaire has less than 30 mansions in the state. He could help hundreds or even thousands more if he sells just two of his mansions and use the proceeds thereof to build low-cost, but decent houses.

There are some who doubt the true motive of Kawamoto’s actions. He was said to have been quite heartless in evicting tenants before in the different estates that he owns. I wonder if he already has a court record for violating lease contracts or other agreements to that effect.

Again, I want to stress that I’m all praises for Kawamoto’s action. However, if he really wants to be of help to society, he should give instead of lend.