The Gospel of Wealth

By: Andrew Carnegie

Narrated by: Douglas Harvey

Andrew Carnegie, an immigrant from Dunfermline, Scotland with only a grammar-school education, amassed a fortune in the steel industry the 1800’s to become the richest American in history.

Yet Carnegie believed strongly that the wealthy should live modestly, without ostentation, and devote their energies after achieving wealth to finding ways to invest their “surplus wealth” in ways that benefit the public. Historically, private fortunes were handed down to heirs, with bequests to the state for public purposes as well. Carnegie observed that fortunes were often squandered in self-indulgent extravagance and irresponsible spending and felt such funds would be better put to use to help the poor help themselves and reduce the stratification of the classes.

He favored a system of progressive inheritance taxes to help facilitate this distribution, but also felt the best results would be achieved when those that had made the fortunes turned their attention to investing their capital in charitable enterprises that they controlled and even managed. He initially published his controversial ideas in the North American Review 1880 in an article entitled “Wealth”.

It was later re-titled The Gospel of Wealth and published in the Pall Mall Gazette in 1889. It has become the foundation document that sets forth much of the thinking behind philanthropy since his time. It has been called the "urtext" of modern philanthropy by Benjamin Soskis, a historian of philanthropy. The article appears here in two versions. The first is a new narration by D. S. Harvey and the second is recording of Carnegie himself.

Public Domain (P)2018 Douglas Harvey

A must for business people

Carnegies message of responsibility to yourself and the development of your character in the context of finance and to the responsibilty we all have to each other is a timeless message that resonates in this generation. A true must read for every person entering business and/or seeking to self-mprove. Great read.

As true as of then as of today.

All casts of society would benefit from reading this book very thoughtful and caring for all levels of wealth.

Greatness Redefined

The true purpose of wealth, especially due to its unequal spread, is here revealed. As believers in the Truth of God, Jesus Christ, we understand that we all receive different graces but all for the benefit of all. That is the essence of community. Great wisdom indeed.

Great Essay!

Great essay regarding wealth and how to use it. Now if only we’d learn and implement it…

Amazing book

This was an amazing book and I strongly recommend you to read it today because it will change your life