The Benefactor

James Macie was a 16th-century scientist educated in the finest English universities, but due to being born under questionable circumstances, he never felt a part of the English high society in which his family lived.

This likely factored into how he handled the vast wealth he accrued during his lifetime, which was eventually passed on to a fledgling country instead of his homeland of England.

Later in life, Macie ended up taking on the last name of his actual father instead of the placeholder name he was given at birth. And millions of people have benefited from the endowment left by James Macie, who actual name was James Smithson, patron of the Smithsonian Institution. 

Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans that “God does not show favoritism.”  

Our calling is to be kind and loving to everyone, not because of their standing in society, but because they are loved by God. Don’t show favoritism; instead, show the love of God.

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