Giving To Charity
Charitable Giving & The Greatest Paradoxal Misunderstanding
Our posts have spanned many similar topics all pertinent to giving to charity: the importance of giving, reasons to give to others, the positive power of micro philanthropy, and we’ve even suggested ways to give through volunteer opportunities
Regardless however of how much we encourage people to give to charity (even on the easiest of micro-giving levels)… there are plenty of people that still don’t practice charitable giving.
And furthermore, from within the charity sector it seems as though the biggest challenge charities face is overcoming the communication barrier that stops the masses, or otherwise potential donors
, from giving.
The greatest paradoxal misunderstanding that inhibits many people from giving to charity is the mistaken idea that the only way to maintain wealth is to hold on tightly to what you have. This post aims to present a strong argument and clear case for charitable giving.
The Arguments Of Giving To Charity
Those who don’t give to charity, are rarely satisfied in life
Someone once said, “If you eat enough lobster it will eventually taste like soap”. This also stands true in our personal lives and in our habits of giving – you see hoarding wealth is distasteful and you’ll never be satisfied in life if you hold onto what you have.
Albert Schweitzer puts it beautifully:
“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know for certain. The ones among you who will be really happy in life are those who have sought and found how to give.”
Those who don’t give to charity, rarely receive
With a closed fist man retains what he has, in as much as he surely thwarts to attain any more. The only way that money can get in is to have an open hand.
On a side note, it’s rather quite incredible that every tribe, tongue, and nation all seem to understand the universal symbol of anger… a clenched fist. Gold Mier coined the phrase “you can’t shake hands with a clenched fist”.
Those who don’t give to charity, turn stale
What do we mean by “turn stale”? Consider a pond where water flows out of a pipe, but nothing drains out of the pond. The water eventually becomes stagnant and begins to stink. Eventually layers of scum accumulates and cloaks the surface as stuff goes in but nothing comes out. Ever met someone who reflects a stinking pond?! Take a lesson!
“There are men who gain from their wealth only the fear of losing it” -Antoine Riveroli
The Case For Charity: Why Give?
The Transformational Effect
It’s a peculiar phenominality – it’s as though the mechanical act of giving to charity changes us. A transformational occurence takes place and it is only when we let go and help people in need that we truly feel most happy and fulfilled.
Charity Champs address a few rather potent thoughts on their blog regarding the transformational effect and the impact of charitable giving as they address the question, Does micro-philanthropy work?
The Fruits of Charitable Giving
More explicitly, giving to charity naturally encourages you to become less selfish. The interesting aspect of selfless, more charitable individuals is that they tend to prosper in relationships and in wealth. It’s not difficult to understand this, as selfish people are rarely liked and if you’re not liked you’re less likely to succeed in a world where success is largely contingent upon your success with others.
We’d love to hear your additional thoughts on this post…
- Why do you give to charity?
- How would you encourage people to give?
- Do you experience a change when you give?
Tags: charitable giving
22. May 2009 at 8:20 pm :
I don’t give to charity, I give to people.
How do I encourage people to give? Hmmm…that is not an easy task at all. Many think I am asking them to take on the responsibilities for those who have low income. My responses usually are that even on a low income people could take care of themselves if the higher income would not push so hard for ordinances and laws that expect everyone to live a higher standard of living. Since these laws are pushed for by those with the money to comply with the laws, those with the money should be helping those without that money to comply. If they don’t help, the government has to and then everyone’s taxes go up eventually making low income families out of families that were at one time financially stable, and it makes the low income families fall below poverty level even if they are wage earning families. In the end it does become the responsibility of the wealthy to care for the needs of the lower income because the wealthy are the ones setting the standard of living. Often after a really good discussion the person with the better income will remember something they voted on, something they pushed for that did have an effect on the lower income. They didn’t think about them at the time, but it makes sense when you point it out and they often do want to help realizing that not everyone is in the same financial stability they are and if those above them raise the bar, they too could become unstable.
Experience when a change when I give? Yes, I become an equal to the one in need. I give a little and that balances us and we can move forward as a team.
22. May 2009 at 10:38 pm :
I give to charity because the I believe in it. What little I do on this earth will all come back to me in the next life. I know God watches every move we make. I just want to make the right moves.
Philanthrophy derives from Ancient Greek meaning ” To love people.” News flash because there are people out there that don’t love themselves, so how can you get them to love anything or someone. You see, to give, is to love, or feeling in your heart, and like I said, some people don’t have a heart.
Bottom line, I don’t think you can encourage people to give.
Yes, of course, I feel good when I give to charity. I know that it made someone smile and toasty inside. That’s a good feeling. If I had lots and lots of money, I would do more. In this world, I will do as much as I can to help people. That’s the way I am. Smile!!!!!!!!
23. May 2009 at 11:57 am :
You give to charity because you want to help a Person Place or a Organization that basically in needs of some kind of help could be many different reasons.
One way you can encourage people to give is communication and socialized more in your community and sourrounding.
Giving is such a blessed and worthy thing to do, You get over whelm to read or see your contribution that you have done a good deeds.
That when you experience a change in you as person, These experience give you more courage and determination to continue do good deed to charity.
23. May 2009 at 7:12 pm :
It’s pretty hard to think about “giving” when one can hardly make it through every month. With Eric’s fund we’ve helped needy kids with immune diseases attend college. This month I get to meet a kid we’ve helped for the past four years. He graduates next week and is coming to Florida so we can meet. I can’t tell you the joy I feel in helping this kid!! It is enough for him to deal with physical problems and expenses this causes. My family is so thrilled to be able to help these kids. That’s why we joined Microgiving. Anne Bishop
24. May 2009 at 5:45 am :
You give to charity because you care and concern for people wants annd needs.
You can encourage people to give to charity through the mail by sending out flyers to various business and home in your community. With detail information about some of the sad and unfortunate circumstances people face with in their every life.
When you give to any charity foundation. Its is a wonderful feeling to know you have done a good deed.There will always be experience changes when reach out to help a person in needs.
25. May 2009 at 9:39 pm :
* Why do you give to charity?
I personally help others, because nothing in the world makes me happier then knowing that I impacted someone’s life, even if in a small way. People mean everything to me, and there is nothing I would not do for someone if it at all possible. I’ve grown up with a very charitable and giving heart, my parents were great influences in how I feel about and why GIVING is so important to me………………
* How would you encourage people to give?
I encourage by giving. If someone sees you donating time, a hug, money, or whatever form your giving comes in, you then become a role-model of giving for someone else. People watch how live, what we do; we are constantly a role-model in some way or another. If people see you giving, they in the long run, will be more likely to give, as well.
* Do you experience a change when you give?
I absolutely do. I think each time I give, it just makes me want to give more! LOL
Nothing makes you feel more spiritual and happy then making some kind of difference in someone’s life!
26. May 2009 at 11:26 pm :
Interesting site, but much advertisments on him. Shall read as subscription, rss.
27. May 2009 at 3:54 pm :
I love helping charities that I believe in and people that need it. I just recently did a seven mile run for the march of dimes for babies which is a charity that helps babies born premature or with disabilities. I also just did the race for the cure for breast cancer. I didn’t raise much money for the charities but I did raise some, and every little bit helps.
I think that just the joy that you get from helping is encouragement enough and if it’s not then there’s probably not much else you can do
I absolutely experience a change when I give. One time my husband and I spent almost $300 in groceries to give to a family that had no income, couldn’t get food stamps, they had absolutely no food in their house and thanksgiving was coming up. We definitely couldn’t afford it but we had to do it. We left the food on the door step, knocked, and hid. When she opened that door the look on her face was more than worth it. What more reason do I need to give than that!
27. May 2009 at 5:10 pm :
TJ – That’s a great story… three cheers for Random Acts of Kindness!
28. May 2009 at 5:08 pm :
* Why do you give to charity?
Well, I guess if I think about it, I don’t give to charity. I give to people who need it. Whether it’s a few dollars or just changing a tire for an elderly woman. For me it’s more important to do the little things that people don’t expect others to do. I just do it because I can.
* How would you encourage people to give?
Sometimes it’s hard to do this. They think the money or whatever that they give won’t go where it should. If you can make them feel comfortable about the situation it helps alot. Also, people think when they give it has to be a huge amount. I’d make sure it’s know that ANY amount of time or money will be welcomed, even if it’s just $1. Honesty is always the best policy also.
* Do you experience a change when you give?
Yeah, I guess I do. It makes me feel great to know that I’ve paid it forward and maybe made a difference in 1 persons life. I can never give much money wise but I always give a little of myself to help. By doing so it let’s me think of my mom who passed years ago. She raised me be like her. Always give when you are able or needed and never ask for anything in return. Just make sure to tell them to pay it forward. That’s what I live by and will continue to do until my days run out:)
1. June 2009 at 9:49 pm :
Rainbowwillow63 –
Thats the greatest way to pay it forward!
6. June 2009 at 4:48 pm :
Thinking about why I give I have to say its because how can I not? The world is full of so much need and how can I as a person, as a human being not see the hurt and need? I give because my heart tells me its the right thing to do. It may not be much but everything I give is from the heart and that in my opinion is the best kind of gift. If your not sure why you should give I think you should look into your heart and see that yeah even though you may have a need how can you expect God to grace you will the love and compassion of others if you can’t give love and compassions to others. Giving has to come from a place that is deep in yourself and without the expectation of getting something in return.
16. June 2009 at 12:06 am :
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14. July 2009 at 7:53 pm :
* Why do you give to charity? I often think to myself as my donation as not so much charity, but giving someone something that comes purely from my heart. Giving takes me to a spiritual place that cannot be touched. There is nothing more fulfilling then letting someone you know.
* How would you encourage people to give? There are so many ways to give. We aren’t just talking money here. You can donate your time to help someone, cook a meal for an elderly couple and surprise them. I would mostly encourage people to give from their heart, and give some of their time. There have been times when I could only give a $1, and times when I just designed some kind of graphic for someone to put a smile in their heart. We are never limited on the types of giving we can offer.
* Do you experience a change when you give?
Most definitely! I think it is one of the most life changing events in our life. Giving can fulfill us in ways like nothing else. I experience growth each time I give, and find each time I do, I try to figure out more ways to give.
Hugs, Lois
20. July 2009 at 3:12 pm :
Thank you everyone for all your beautiful comments. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on giving.
16. August 2009 at 10:00 pm :
I’m looking for some one that will loan me money to build a home that I can pay them back on a monthly bases.
2. July 2010 at 6:10 pm :
Once upon a time I had a Church that said to be on places like this and ask for help was like scamming people. But at the same time this same Church was begging their people to give to a several million dollar addition just to look good. It was something that was not really needed but they wanted to be bigger and better. So which of us is really doing it right.
I believe within my heart that the only way you can show people that you are in need is to share it with others just as this Church did on their
“need” to expand. Charity is a symbol of the care and love we have for each other. It shows people that there is a need that we are all to survive. At one time or another we each need something in life. I love the word Charity and if I have it to give it would give me honor to share to make another persons life easier.
I have said before and will say it many times to come, It is more wonderful to give than receive. I thank the many people who come here and share from their hearts to those they do not know~ You are a Blessing to those who have a dream and want to better their lives. Thank you~