When Warren Buffett announced that he would give 85% of his wealth away, with the bulk of it going to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, it allows us to learn three clear lessons:

Lesson #1: Great wealth can create great good. Gates' foundation is already recognized with treating millions of children in Africa with vaccines they would have never otherwise had. Most agree countless lives have already been saved. That kind of good will only now increase.

Lesson #2: It is perfectly OK to give to others beyond our immediate family. Buffett made it clear in his announcement that while his family certainly will not be wanting for anything he didnt feel a need to give it all to them. Many families fight for every penny of a possible inheritance meaning that often charities their parents supported never see a penny. Thats too bad. If a church, hospital, college or other cause is important to you now, provide for them in your estate planning as well as your family. This is a way to add great meaning and purpose to your own life and to your lifes work.

Lesson #3: If you work hard at what you love and succeed, there is no reason to feel guilty about success. There was no indication of guilt in the eyes of Bill Gates, Melinda Gates or Warren Buffett. Many people may argue with their business decisions over the years but its difficult to argue with their current decision to be charitable. The tremendous wealth these people have built over the years will now be given back to millions of people they will never know.

These are only three of the lessons that all of us can learn from the Gates example and that of Warren Buffett.

Scott Hove

Scott Hove was born in Grafton, ND and raised on a farm.

He is a magna cum laude graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, MN with degrees in Business Administration and History/Political Science. Additionally, he attended Luther Seminary of St. Paul, MN earning a Master of Divinity degree.

Hove has served on the staff of a member of the U. S. House of Representatives and the U. S. Senate in Washington, D.C.

He has also been a stockbroker, mortgage broker, reinsurance broker, fund-raiser, pastor and candidate for statewide political office in his home state of North Dakota...all in addition to being a pastor.

Scott is the author of three books since November 2003. His first book, ?OH, POOP! Problems Happen ? It?s What You Do With Them That Matters!? helps his readers and audiences realize there are possibilities everywhere!

The other two books were written under the pseudonym of Dr. Kevin Peterson and come out of Scott?s political background. They are quite a surprise!

His newest book is entitled, "How to Make Money Without Feeling Like You're Going to Hell!" and will be released during spring of 2006.

Scott is a speaker encouraging his audiences to reach for their dreams! With his background in politics, non-profits and business he brings a perspective few others can while relating to his audience in a down-to-earth manner combined with humor and inspiration.

Scott and his wife, Debi, reside in Henderson, NV a suburb of Las Vegas, along with their yellow Lab, Millie (who has her own blog).