Giving leads to a more abundant life. It’s a fact! Have you ever known anybody who has given unconditionally and gone broke doing so? I haven’t! Having a generous heart is not a curse, but rather a blessing.
Mahatma Gandhi is a fine example of his own words: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Dan Kennedy said, “The window you receive through is made bigger by the window you give through.” In other words, if you want to receive more, then give more. It’s really quite simple!
Many years ago, I recall a well-known man telling his story. Let’s call him Jack for purposes herein. He was a man who lived on the edge in a less than respectable fashion. Jack had quite an ignoble reputation! A golfing buddy of his coerced him, with an enticing bet, to attend church one Sunday morning. That one experience miraculously changed his life. Jack was impacted so powerfully that he committed himself to the Lord and he promised to tithe 10% of his earnings to the church. Business hadn’t been going too well for him with ever-increasing mounting debts, so tithing was a major commitment for him. Within a year after his church commitment, he closed a huge real estate deal, earning him more money than ever in his life. Now came the test. Would he honor his word and give 10% of his earnings to the church? He only had one question for the church – Was his tithe calculated on gross or net earnings? I don’t know what became of Jack, but I would imagine that he has enjoyed a life of abundance! TRUE STORY!!!
There are so many ways of giving, and when I wrote last December about giving, I stressed that giving of your time is invaluable. I still stand by that, but this year I challenge you to open your wallets and give of your hard-earned resources. There are so many organizations that are in desperate need of financial support. And, there are many ways in which to do so. Here are just a few ideas:
- Your church
- United Way
- Impact San Antonio (for women)
- Big Give SA on May 15, 2015
- Individual not-for-profits
And here are some ideas you might find appealing:
- Instead of giving gifts on birthdays and at Christmas, make donations in your recipients’ names.
- When a friend dies, give a donation in memory of that person.
- When paying tribute to someone, do it through a donation.
There is one more very important step you cannot forget, and that is to be thankful for the ability of being able to give. We should be grateful that we have the resources, some more than others, allowing us to make a difference in this world. Let us NEVER take anything for granted. For everything we receive, we must give thanks. There is no timeline for gratitude. Every single day is one to be grateful for. Remember the quote: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, and today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”
And finally, let me end by paying tribute to a special person with a huge heart.
I know so many wonderfully generous people, but one person who really stands out is Madeline Slay, President of Slay Architecture. Back in 2003 I was on a judging panel to interview finalists for an award. Madeline was one of the finalists, and I shall never forget how touched I was when she spoke of her passion to give to others less fortunate than her. She was a young entrepreneur building her own architectural firm. No matter the extensive effort required to run a new business, she always found the time and money to improve the lives of unwed and abused mothers and their children. As I’ve observed Madeline since that first encounter, I continue to be in awe of her never-wavering heart-felt generosity. Madeline Slay is a beautiful person – both inside and out.
Thanks for all the loving ideas and special remembrances.