“You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” — John Bunyan
There are very few people who don’t like the idea of generosity. We are indeed a species that loves to help others and confront needs when we see them. Unfortunately, there are also very few people who are content with the level of generosity in their lives. Most people I know wish they were able to give more. And while there are a number of reasons that this may be the case… sometimes the best solution may be the simplest.
To that end, there are a number of simple steps that we can take to make generosity more intentional in our lives. If you have never given away any money or time, this would be a great way to get started (no matter what your current economic situation is). On the other hand, if you are just hoping to raise the level of generosity in your life, you will also find some of these simple steps to be relevant and helpful.
10 Simple Ways to Become a More Generous Person
1. Consider the benefits of generosity. Generous people report being happier, healthier, and more satisfied with life than those who don’t give. Generosity produces within us a sense that we are capable of making a difference in the world, that we are actively addressing the needs of those around us, and that we are shaping our community into a healthier one. While generosity is typically seen as the opposite of self-serving, counting the personal benefits is indeed one of the most important steps that we can take in getting started.
2. Embrace gratitude. Make a list of the things in your life for which you are grateful. Your list doesn’t have to be long. It won’t take much time. Heck, it doesn’t even have to be a physical list (in your head will be completely sufficient). Sometimes, the most important step you can take to become more generous is to spend more time thinking about what you already possess and less time thinking about what you don’t. Once you start intentionally thinking that way, you may be surprised just how good you already have it… and become more apt to share your life with others.
3. Start really small. If you’ve never given away money, start by giving away $1. If you are embarrassed to give just $1, don’t be. You’ve got nothing to worry about: there are plenty of charities online that allow you to give with your credit card and you’ll never cross paths with the people who record your $1 donation. Of course, the point of this exercise is not to report a $1 tax deduction on your year-end tax return. The point is to get started. If you’ll feel more comfortable giving $5, $10, or $20, start there. But no matter what dollar amount you choose, jump right in with something small. You can afford it… and that little push can help build momentum in your life towards generosity.
4. Give first. When you receive your next paycheck, make your first expense an act of giving. Often times, we wait to see how much we have left over before we determine how much we can give away. The problem is that most of the time after we start spending, there is nothing left over. The habit of spending all of it is too deeply ingrained in our lives. To counteract that cycle, give first. Every payday, write a check for $10 to your local homeless shelter. You just may be surprised how you won’t even miss it.
5. Divert one specific expense. For a set period of time (try 29 days), divert one specific expense to a charity of your choosing. You may choose to bring a lunch to work, ride your bike to work once/week, or give up Starbucks on Mondays (wait, make that Thursday). Calculate the money you’ll save and then redirect it to a specific charity/cause. Whatever you choose, I recommend picking something that would be fun to give up – something unique that you’ll remember. And setting a specific period of time for the experiment should make it completely achievable. Courtney Carver gave away an extra $225 in one month just giving up Starbucks.
6. Fund a cause based on your passions. There are countless charities/causes that need your support. And some of them are directly in-line with your most compelling passions. What are you most passionate about? Is it the environment, poverty, or religion? Maybe it’s world peace, child nutrition, or animal rights? What about education, civil rights, or clean water? Identify what passions already move you, find a committed organization around that cause, and then joyfully help them in their work. In my life, that means I support Essex CHIPS with both my finances and time. It is a local organization that empowers teenagers to make healthy choices. Since I’ve worked with students my entire life, this organization was just a natural extension of my existing passions. As a result, supporting them made perfect sense.
7. Find a person you believe in. If you find that you are more easily motivated and shaped by the people in your life rather than organizations/causes, use that tendency as motivation instead. Take careful notice of the people in your life that you most admire. What organizations/causes do they hold most dear? Who do they support? What makes them passionate about supporting it? And how can you get involved alongside them?
8. Spend time with people in need. One of the most effective antidotes for non-generosity is to make space in your life for those who actually need your help. After all, it is a very small step to go from knowing somebody in need to helping somebody in need. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is to volunteer one meal at your local homeless shelter. Most homeless shelters readily accept volunteers and have systems in place to get you started. And rubbing shoulders with the poor just may change your impression of them forever.
9. Spend time with a generous person. One of the most life-changing conversations I’ve ever had about generosity occurred when I found the courage to start asking specific questions of the right person. I remember starting with, “Have you always been generous?” And immediately followed with more: “When did you become so generous? How did it start? How do you decide where your money goes? What advice would you give someone who wants to get started?” It was life-changing. And the other guy paid for the meal… go figure.
10. Live a more minimalist life. Intentionally decide to own less. Oh sure, living a minimalist life won’t automatically make you a more generous person, but it will provide the space necessary to make it possible. You’ll spend less money on things at the department store. You’ll have more time/energy to help others. And the intentionality that emerges in your life will help you discover the need for generosity. Minimalism has resulted in many positive changes in my life – becoming more generous has been one of the most important.
Generosity rarely happens by chance. Instead, it is an intentional decision that we make in our lives. But it does not need to be as difficult as many people think. Sometimes, starting with the simple steps is the best step that we can take.
What simple steps have you incorporated into your life to foster generosity?
MichaelPhilps says
A really great way to be generous – I just found this, haha!
https://www.fiverr.com/codysly/make-you-feel-incredibly-generous
JillOfAllTrades says
I’ve started recently carrying gift cards to fast food restaurants in my purse. I’ll buy a whole stack of $10-15 cards and give them out to any homeless people I see. I’ve always wanted to help the homeless, but wasn’t sure how without giving them money directly (it’s not a recommended practice because it will probably just fuel an addiction) until I hit upon this. I’d also offered to buy someone whatever they needed in the store I was going in to. Just some ideas of ways to help without doing more damage. I have a nephew who has a drug problem, so I’ve done a lot of thinking on this matter about how to help without giving cash.
Glenda Meadon says
I would buy them the food, or whatever they need, for them not to spend it on drugs.
Charlene Williams says
God looks at the heart and he blesses you for your obedience. He allows you to be blessed to bless someone else.
Mary Ann Dewsnap-Flignor RN says
Beautifully said
Luke@dollarwise says
Great list and I agree wholeheartedly. I’ve also found that experiencing generosity from others moves me to be more generous. Few other thoughts here too.
Azra says
Being generous can save your life. I find it difficult to build friendships having busy lifestyle. Working 8 to 18 and travelling 1h to work and 1h back home. And last year that was my everyday life 5days a week. But all this time I’ve been saving a lot of money for one cause: to help my family renovate their home and build a roof on their house. It is a wonderful feeling.I feel blessed and money dodoesn’t mean a thing to me knowing my sister’s life will be better.
Carlina says
I have been helping people with significant amounts of money all my life. What I have found is that I have been blessed in return. maybe not like I gave $ then receive something back, but blessed in so many ways and aspects of my life.
Aaron Jade says
Great points Joshua, all things that the people of this world need to be incorporating into their everyday lives. It will certainly help to make it an easier world to live in!
Ana says
I think that hoarding possessions stems from our inability to accept our mortality. It is fear of death. American culture is not good about this reality. If we are in touch with our mortality we can live in the present moment better. We appreciate today more when we understand it is finite. Don’t focus on the golden years which may or may not realize. Focus on creating golden moments. Today. Now. Life is moments, not a future. You will be more generous when you humbly accept your humanity.
Ana says
You cannot take any material thing with you. You blink and your life on this earth has passed. We only keep what we have given away. Our stuff is fleeting. Our good deeds are forever.
Chetan Patel says
Some time in life you come at the point when u think every thing is over ,this is useless , there is nothing to loss and nothing to win , life is collapse and u never come out from the twister created for you or u may be create it your self and this is the time when one may die or one may kill , this is the time when all your senses die and u just see yourself standing under the falling walls on you , u may be broken financially , emotionally or physically , u want your hard revenge from them all who are the cause for your disgust situation ……..and…..suddenly one inside instinct give a small light of hope and you see the a small hole of air and this hope has power to convert a lethal carbon monoxide in to the oxygen ……now this is the generosity of GOD to us, God love his creation more than anything ,when we tired and we are about to take revenge with this world GOD is watching us and thinking that this man is not more deserve for his creation (beautiful world ) but since he give us a final chance and GOD show us his last generosity and realize us that still we alive , he give some more air ,light and time to us……..if you accept this as gift given by God you will become unbeatable. Accept his gift , just try it once and now …….. God himself is on your side and you feel a complete armored in terms of good feeling , a knowledge beyond imagination , positive power which can shield you and now you will be prepared to fight back in terms of financially , emotionally and physically, but be genuine generous act is the first step as you got it God’s last and most precious gift. God always wanted to share his gift with others. If you are really blessed by god himself you do understand what I am trying to say here. Don’t show off of your generosity just do it , generosity may be start at home ,workplace or any where ,after it just sit on a bench with some one u loved you most ,if no one doesn’t matter sit alone and watch flying birds and standing trees and this is your return gift to God , he is watching you at this time and he is happy . is it that hard to make God happy with a small act , how kind he is. If you are reading this then you are already blessed by God.
gomo says
so happy i read this blog. i am a starter regarding giving/offering, and i am glad to learn that i can start as small as possible. i know of people who are really being blessed for been generous and giving.
They really dont that hard.