Billionaire, tycoon, philanthropist, rich, generous and oil king of the world all describe John D. Rockefeller. Thanks to some of his successes, we ended hookworm disease in the Southern United States, founded the University of Chicago, and contributed to World War I relief efforts. Rockefeller's charitable contributions outweighed most of his ruthless business tactics. His education and early career, his career with Standard Oil and public protest, and his philanthropic ways influenced him in his life. The things that led him to the man we hear about today can be found in his upbringing and early career. Rockefeller was the second son of a working-class family. This is not necessarily what we would call being wealthy. His father didn't like working and spent his time trying to get around it. Despite this, Rockefeller earned some money as a child raising turkeys. He earned fifty dollars. This would amount to $1,515 today. Some time later, his neighbor asked to borrow the money, but obviously not without interest of $3.50! He learned that it is possible to earn money to earn more. Another notable moment as a child was when he and his brothers went skating on a frozen river, but were told not to. While they were out there, they saved a boy who had fallen through the ice. When they returned home, their mother praised them for their courage, but then whipped them for their disobedience. From this experience, Rockefeller learned that every action has a reaction and that nothing is without consequences. In 1853, the Rockefeller family moved to Strongsville, Ohio. Two years after this move, his father pressured him to drop out of high school and enter a vocational school. As we know… middle of the paper… I will survive what happens next. The question I was asked to answer was about “charitable ways.” Looking back at Lincoln's second inauguration, we learned that the true meaning of being charitable was to have a universal love for humanity. I believe Rockefeller loved humanity. He didn't donate just to be called charitable; he did it out of the goodness of his heart, and we should all strive to do so. Rockefeller said, “I believe it is every man's religious duty to get all he can honestly and to give all he can.” He wanted to earn so much that he could give it all back to the things and ideas that needed it. Rockefeller did, but not as honestly as some of us would. We must strive to achieve all we can honestly and give all we can in this game of life. The only difference is that we all have to do it according to our definition of honesty, and be successful.