Last year Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, pledged in honor of his newborn baby to give away 99% of his Facebook shares to charity. America is blessed throughout its history with stories of wealthy people giving away large portions of their wealth and resources.
But what about the average person? Can we give away more? Granted, when you’re worth millions and even billions, it seems easier to give away more. Yes, they have more to give away, but it doesn’t make it easier.
If you make $10,000 per year and spend $11,000, you are broke. And if you make 1 million per year and spend 1 million one thousand, well, you’re broke too. It’s all in how you handle your money and resources. And how you handle your money reflects where your heart is, whether you have $10 or $10 million in your bank account.
Here is a paradox. If you want to get your finances under control, and your heart right, give more away. Begin with a small amount, but don’t wait until you are out of debt to give to others.
Even if you are in great financial shape and already give to some worthy causes, I know you can give more away.
Here are 5 reasons to give away more:
- You have more than you need. If you live in America, almost all of us have more than we need. Our consumeristic culture convinces us that we need to keep accumulating more and more stuff; that we need the latest technology, the most recent clothing, the newest car. No. No we don’t. Nothing wrong with owning nice things, but they will encumber more than please you after awhile.
- You were given extra for a reason. If you have extra, there is a reason. And it’s not so that you can store it away for safe keeping. You are meant to use, invest, and bless others with. Responsibility comes with abundance.
- Not much will fulfill you more. What brings more fulfillment, joy, and satisfaction—organizing your collection of whatever your obsession is for the 100th time or witnessing how you gave a person a hand up, some hope, or even joy because of your generosity?
- You can’t take it with you. Money, gold, possessions all will stay here on this earth when you leave. What good will it do if you keep it all to yourself until you die? If fact, by doing so, you may cause more grief for others. And why not benefit from seeing the good done by your generosity while you can?
- Kingdom investment. I believe that our time on this earth is not all that there is to life. I believe that it is really a shadow of what is eternal. How you use your resources while on this earth can and will have an eternal impact. Personally when I am considering investments, I keep this principle in mind. I have bypassed an earthly, tangible investment for one that invests in the eternal Kingdom. I believe that reaps a return both now and forever.
The question I have is why exactly are you hanging on to more than you need? Will you take a moment to explore what is keeping you from giving away more?
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