What Giving Does for the Giver

Dedicated to those affected by Hurricane Sandy

“I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. . . . If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditure excludes them.” –C. S. Lewis

Data

According to the World Bank Development Research Group, if you make:

  • $30,000 a year, you are in the top 7 percent richest people in the world
  • $50,000 a year, you are in the top 1 percent richest people in the world
  • $100,000 a year, you are nearly in the top ½ percent richest people in the world
  • The vast majority of the world’s population (more than 80 percent) lives on less than $5,000 a year

Benefits

When I give, I . . .

  • Stand for something that will last longer than a fairly useless diversion
  • Remember that I am part of something much larger than myself
  • Am doing what I should as one of the richest people in the world
  • Remind myself that there is so much more to life than money
  • Recognize tangibly that nothing matters more than people
  • Am beginning to grasp this thing called philanthropy
  • Empower others at the same time I feel empowered
  • Give the middle finger to selfishness and greed
  • Am opening up instead becoming closed off
  • Become more of the person I want to be
  • Provide a good example for my children
  • Stand for the real American Dream
  • Remember how truly blessed I am
  • Emulate the people I admire most
  • Am doing what I can to help
  • I put my beliefs into action
  • Am doing my part
  • Help somebody
  • Follow Jesus
  • Am happy
  • Grow up

Story

We all have a story, and we either did or did not grow up in a home where giving was valued—not just as a good thing to do but as a vital part of what it means to live well.

My wife and I have been living out our own story when it comes to giving.

It’s been at times very rewarding and frankly, at times very scary. But as we talk and pray about it, deciding what to give to various causes, we repeatedly come back to this realization: Giving is an important part of what it means to be human, to say nothing of being some of the richest people in the world.

Our story’s not over, we have a long way to go. But I will say this. We have never regretted a decision to give.

To give to the Red Cross and help the victims of Sandy, click here.

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Category: Life

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6 thoughts on “What Giving Does for the Giver”

  1. Wonderful post. It’s really a privilege to give. I loved that CS Lewis quote, too.

    I’ve had many times when I’ve been the giver and many times when I’ve been the receiver. Both parts have filled me with joy in the Lord.

  2. I really love this. This embodies all of what Jesus was about. Even if you feel like you have nothing to give, you do. Even a listening ear of encouragement is something to offer. I pray I can help these truths settle into my kids hearts.
    Having something to give keeps me going, I would of long ago been lost without that gift God gives us all to offer ourselves up to others.

  3. We support a little boy in El Salvador through Compassion. I have been to their projects in Bolivia and endorse them 100%.

    I just got back from a mission trip to Bolivia. I spent DAYS driving deep into the Andes to deliver solar powered, fix tuned, short wave radios to the Quechua Indians. Was it hard? Yes. Am I sick? Yes. Was I scared? At times.
    Do I regret it?
    Not for one split second.

    Giving can be financial, or physical.
    Either way, just do it.

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