I was reading in the Bible this morning and came across this verse in Philippians 2:4 Look not only to your own interests but to the interests of others.
This verse was definitely my granddad’s theme. He was the oldest of six boys. When his parents died early; one from typhoid fever and the other five years later from the flu; he sold the cotton gin they owned and made some money. However, my granddad never cared too much for money except to be a means to support and help others. He put his brothers through banking school so that they could earn a living and he started a bank in Arlington, Texas. The other brothers were also involved in banking and became officers in their Ft. Worth or Dallas banks. One brother was killed in a bank robbery in Maypearl, Texas.
Claude Wilemon was given a key to the city for his contributions to Arlington’s business and growth. He was President of the bank and greeted all who entered. He knew every person’s name who came through the doors.
He put his own three children through college, then his nine grandchildren, next his eleven great grandchildren! (which included Spencer and Travis). He was a very selfless person. The bank was eventually sold to Chase Bank.
I heard this prayer from him at a family gathering that I will never forget: “Lord, help the next generation be more righteous than us.” What a humble prayer!
I realize that is the prayer I want for the young people we run into today! We want to sow good seeds into the next generation!
Leave a Reply