Nathan was born in Bavaria to German Jewish parents. His father moved the family to the United States in 1854. The family was financially devastated when the American Civil War destroyed their business.

Nathan’s family moved to New York City and launched a new cookware business. This was so successful that Nathan became co-owner of a developing general store called Macy’s.

The popular growth of Macy’s made Nathan a multi-millionaire. But that’s only the beginning of the story. While most of Nathan’s social friends were celebrating his wealth, he and his wife decided to use their money to help people.

When it was discovered that tuberculosis bacteria in unpasteurized milk was spreading the disease among children (thousands died), Nathan acted quickly. He personally paid for dozens of distribution centers to provide milk to children.

When an economic collapse threatened families in 1893, he paid for coal distribution centers throughout the city. When he learned that two Macy’s employees were skipping meals to bring more money home to their families, he started the first free employee cafeteria in the United States. In 1916, he sold his private yacht and used the money to feed orphans whose parents had died in WWI.

Nathan Straus was a man driven by compassion. He made money and used the money for good. Let God use his example to motivate you to be just as compassionate.

Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” NIV

The Bible says in Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.” KJV

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