Why are we here?

We were put on earth to make a contribution, to make a difference with our lives. We are healed to help others. We are blessed to be a blessing. We are saved to serve, not sit around and wait for Heaven

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Hank Paulson's decision to give away almost all of his $800m fortune is one of the most powerful philanthropic messages in recent years. Sure, it is dwarfed by the fortunes given away by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. But this is one of the most dramatic donations by somebody who made his money in the heart of Wall Street. And that's symbolic given that financial markets are where many of the world's biggest fortunes are currently being made. Paulson's donation - which has heightened visibility because he is now US Treasury Secretary - is a welcome antidote to the greed that is still predominant on Wall Street and in the City of London. Not that Paulson's gift would have surprised the founders of Goldman Sachs. They believed that: "Wealth creation for your clients and yourself is good, ostentation is appalling and philanthropy is expected." Paulson, who is a devout Christian Scientist and a keen environmentalist, took this mantra to heart. His fortune is reportedly being channelled to Bobolink, his environmental charity. He memorably said that he loved his two children too much to give them all his money. Nor is Paulson's decision to give generously unique in financial markets. Many hedge fund managers who collectively constitute the fastest-growing group of super-rich in the world have given generously to charity. But, for every philanthropist, there are many more traders and bankers queuing up to spend their bonuses on the latest Ferrari. There is also the conspicuous consumption of Russian oligarchs like Roman Abramovich, who has reportedly commissioned a 550ft yacht to add his existing flotilla. The name, Eclipse, seems almost designed to ram home how rich he is. Recent years have seen a widening gulf not just between the rich and the poor but between the super-rich and the ordinary middle classes. This inevitably creates envy and social tensions. Philanthropy isn't the only answer to the problem. But it certainly helps.