We know that Franklin was in his lifetime a man who accomplished innumerable extraordinary things, including inventions, diplomatic missions, writings, and printing. We could list a page full. Easily.

He was always learning and helping. One of the character traits he exhibited was that he really didn’t care who got credit. He considered that if God gave him the wisdom to come up with new solutions, inventions or remedies, he wanted to bring those about. He didn’t want the glory. That’s why he never patented any of his inventions. He put them out for public use and benefit.

You could even say that Ben was disinterested, and that was a means of mankind progressing. Be inquisitive and productive and be a blessing to you neighbors. His objectives were to be useful and do good as much as possible. Don’t even worry about gathering honors, which he did, or becoming rich, which he also accomplished.

Franklin’s creative powers were unleashed because of his indifference to the things of this world. Rather than having his focus on wealth or prestige, In all his actions his goal was to be good and be useful; contributing rather than receiving. Giving rather than getting.

I like the way Walt Whitman said it: “I feel about fame as the fellow did who found himself in heaven. He didn’t ask himself whether he deserved it. He just kept quiet and stayed.”

I can see Benjamin Franklin being that way when he got to heaven. He just kept quiet and accepted God’s high regard!