Oseola McCarty

Oseola McCarty spent most of her life washing and ironing clothes for the well-to-do of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Miss McCarty always dreamed about becoming a nurse, but had to drop out of school after the 6th grade to help support her mother, grandmother and an aunt.  She continued to "take in laundry" until arthritis in her hands forced her to retire from washing and ironing in December 1994, at the age of 86.

McCarty's lifelong work ethic and generous heart drew global attention after it was announced in July of 1995 that she would will $150,000 of her life's savings to the University of Southern Mississippi to provide scholarships for deserving students in need of financial assistance to continue their education.

Where had she obtained that kind of money?  She had lived frugally, saved carefully, and invested wisely.  In the beginning, she said, she charged $1.50 to $2 a bundle, but, with inflation, the price rose. "When I started making $10 a bundle -- I don't remember when ... sometime after the war -- I commenced to save money," she recalled. "I put it in savings. I never would take any of it out. I just put it in. It just accumulated."

Amazingly, she had saved the $150,000 -- representing about 60 percent of her life's savings -- washing and ironing other people's clothes for 75 years.

At the age of 87, Miss McCarty decided that there was something better to do with her savings than spend it on herself.  "I thought it best to give it to some child to get an education," she said.

"People in Hattiesburg call her donation 'the GIFT'," Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times correspondent Rick Bragg wrote after interviewing McCarty in August of 1995.  Miss McCarty received scores of awards and other honors recognizing her unselfish spirit including the Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second highest civilian award, presented to her by President Bill Clinton during a special White House Ceremony. She also won the United Nation's coveted Avicenna Medal for educational commitment.

She was embarrassed by all the attention, but when asked by reporters why she had done what she had done, she borrowed some familiar words: "It's more blessed to give than to receive – I've tried it." *

Miss McCarty was quoting Acts 20:35 – "And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Miss McCarty's generosity reflects not only the WORDS of Jesus, but also His LIFE and His DEATH.  Jesus "gave Himself for our sins" (Galatians 1:4) so that we might have forgiveness and the hope of an eternal inheritance in Heaven (1 Peter 1:3-5).  

These blessings are included in "The Gift" of salvation that He will give to those who respond to Him in loving obedience.  To receive His Gift, one must believe in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).

Because of the indescribable generosity (grace) of God, THE GIFT is available to you!

Won't YOU accept it on His terms?

-- David A. Sargent