Beliefs aside, we are all pretty familiar with this passage:
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.
(Luke 6:38, ESV)
Obviously giving isn’t only popular among Christians, some other influential figures held giving as a high priority:
The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.
– Albert Einstein
And remember, no matter your financial situation, you can always give something…
If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.
– Mother Teresa
What Giving Isn’t
As much as we hear: “give and you shall receive”, sometimes it can lead people to think that receiving is the only reason for giving.
That’s not the case.
In fact, giving with a pure heart is just as important as the giving itself.
Giving can make you feel great and if you give with a pure heart, you will be blessed financially. The important thing is to see the need for giving and to want to give.
Those Rich Americans
I have always made the argument that if you are an American, you are rich.
By the world’s standards, this is true.
Americans living below the poverty level have more money than most people in the world.
Too often people talk about the rich and how much money they have, but before you criticize, you may want to think about all of the things you have.
Think about it: you are most likely reading this on your own computer; therefore, you are rich by world standards. Being able to afford a computer or internet puts you in the top 5-10% of the world’s wealth.
Now you probably feel slightly guilty, but I hope you don’t.
Whether you are an American or not, hopefully you realize the wealth you do have, but guilty?
No, don’t feel guilty.
Related: How Rich are You? The Line Between Giving and Guilt
Remember: People in the world were starving, thirsty and homeless while Jesus was turning water into wine and attending a party. Having wealth and “stuff” shouldn’t make you feel guilty by itself.
It’s about your heart.
You should enjoy what you have, but you should also have a healthy view of how much other people don’t have.
When to Start and How Much
Start now!
Even if you are in debt and barely making ends meet, start now!
Giving will open you up for blessings. I personally believe this is Biblical. Some people call it “the law of the universe”, but either way, most people agree that you will be more blessed financially if you give. Once you are financially free you can give so much more.
Related: Where is Your Money Really Going When You Donate to Charities?
Even if you feel poor, you have something to give.
A good place to start is by giving 10%.
If you are a Christian, start with a 10% tithe to your home church. If you do not attend church, find a good organization to support, but I personally believe 10% is the minimum you should give. Give what you can and give happily!
For more on giving, you should check out 8 Ways to Give Directly to People in Need Without “Enabling” Them and What a Man From Nazareth Taught Me About Money.
Continue: PLAN – Be Prepared for Anything
Series: Begin | Know | Spend | Pay | Give | Plan | Debt | Invest
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