Recently, Mark Zuckerberg publicly announced his decision to give away 99% of his Facebook shares to charity. His decision aligns him with several other significantly wealthy individuals who have decided to do the same: Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Richard Branson, Michael Bloomberg, Ted Turner, and others.
And their decision aligns them with countless wealthy individuals who have done similar things in the past. “A man who dies rich, dies disgraced,” Andrew Carnegie once said while giving away 90% of his personal fortune (almost $14b in today’s dollars).
I think these stories are important and I am glad they make national headlines. Some will try to discredit them or argue ulterior motives, but I don’t care. The more examples of generosity around us the better.
I will admit, however, there is one problem with these headline stories.
They are almost completely unrelatable.
When most people read about billionaires giving away money, their first reaction is typically, “Well that’s easy for them to say… if I had that kind of money, I would be generous too.”
And to an extent, they are right. When you begin talking about net worth in the billions of dollars, things seem to function a bit differently. For example, it was Neil deGrasse Tyson who first conjectured that, comparatively speaking, Bill Gates would have to stumble across $45,000 on the ground to discover the same amount in relation to his net worth that you or I would discover if we found a quarter ($0.25).
Of course, mathematics and emotions can be very different. Just because somebody has a vast amount of wealth, generosity does not necessarily come easy. In fact, some studies would seem to indicate that the more money we own, the more difficult it is to give away.
But nevertheless, “That’s easy for him to say,” is still the most common reaction to news stories similar to the one of Mark Zuckerberg. As a result, even though those stories are shared widely, they often leave us unchanged. How many people do you know went out and made a donation to charity after reading Mark Zuckerberg was giving away 99% of his wealth? Probably the same number as me: zero.
In other words, Mark’s story actually does very little to inspire generosity among a society.
But I think this might change if we start championing different stories.
For the past several years, I have been traveling this country speaking on the benefits of owning less. And I have met some amazing people along the way. Recently, I am being asked more and more often to speak about our new nonprofit organization, The Hope Effect. And whenever I do, something amazing happens… people begin sharing with me their personal stories of generous living.
People are quick to open up about the charities they passionately support. They share with me the experiences they have had volunteering at various organizations here and abroad. Many will come up to me afterwards and explain how and why they chose nonprofit work as their career. It is encouraging, it is amazing, and it is inspiring.
In fact, during an interview a few weeks back, I was asked, “What has been the greatest lesson you have learned starting a nonprofit?” Among the dozens of ideas that came to my mind, I answered with this one, “By far, the greatest thing I have learned over the past year is that there are generous, giving people everywhere you look. I have met so many people who are passionately committed to the care of orphans and other important causes, I almost can’t believe it. Everywhere I go, I meet people making sacrifices so they can live passionately generous lives.”
Unfortunately, nobody is talking about them—at least, they aren’t making national headlines. And I know why: their stories don’t convert to metrics like Mark Zuckerberg’s story.
A column about the adoptive mother in Minneapolis who dedicates two evenings/month serving on a nonprofit board placing orphans in loving homes doesn’t sell many newspapers. The full-time blogger in Nashville who fathers a family of three and makes a $5,000 donation to a cause he believes in doesn’t trend on Twitter. The middle-class family who gives away 10% of their income every week to an organization they trust doesn’t drive much Internet traffic.
But these are the stories that need to be told. Because these are the stories we can see ourselves in. These are the people with whom we can relate. And these are the people that can inspire us the most.
They have sacrificed in order to have time and money to give. And their stories challenge us to do the same. Unfortunately, the stories we need to hear are often the hardest to find.
I think we should try to change that.
During this season of giving, I think it is appropriate for us to recognize the people in our lives that have inspired generosity in us.
When you think of a generous person, who comes to your mind first? In the comment section below, would you draw attention to that certain somebody?
Comment and mention specifically the one person (or the one family) who has inspired you the most to greater generosity? My guess is, when you do, very few will mention celebrities or philanthropists. Instead, we will think of family members, neighbors, co-workers, or members of our faith community.
When you add your comment below, their stories will live on and their example will inspire even more individuals.
Practically speaking, I encourage you to be as specific as possible. Who has inspired you to generosity? Why? To what causes were they generous? What sacrifices did you see them make so they could give more? And in what ways did you see them dedicate themselves to others?
Their story may never be published in a major magazine. But today, you can champion it for us—because these are the stories we need to hear.
Linda Sand says
One of my brothers-in-law collects all the requests for donations he receives at this time of year. For Christmas the family sits down with these requests and each person decides which organization should receive their gift this year. Heifer International is popular as is Charity Water, Second Harvest, Habitat for Humanity, etc.
Another is a low-paid public defender because he believes everyone deserves the best defense even if they can’t pay.
Sherry Shuler says
The Pastors of Hope Church in Marshville, NC are Randy and Patricia Shankle. Pastor Patricia is the one that encouraged me to take a look at your facebook page. In spite of diminishing wages from the small church they pastor, brought on in part by diminishing income among the congregation since the economic downturn. And in spite of Pastor Randy’s inability to work for the last two years because of major surgery to remove a stage four cancer and the ensuing side affects of chemo, in addition to challenges brought on by diabetes, along with the astronomical medical bills that go along with all of that. These two heros of the faith have generously and sacrificially given to missions over the last year. They have supported a new missionary couple in Macedonia which ended up being on the front lines of the Syrian exodus. They have supported an orphanage in Zimbabe that they have personally been to, which is an oasis of safety for orphans left because of violence, poverty and aids. And they have a small food bank at the church which serves some of the most needy in our community. They are often on the parking lot having yard sales at which they sometimes give away more then they sell. These yards sales are a means of identifying and ministering to the souls of those in our community that have need. Two weekends ago at one of these yard sales they gave away boxes generously filled with food for the holidays to 5 families that were very gratetful for the unexpected blessing. One family was so moved by the generosity that they went home and filled up bags of items and brought it back to the church as a donation for future yard sales. They give out of there need. Not just monetarily but generouly from a hear of love they connect with people where they live and humbly serve.
Jan Ramsey Brick says
Such a great idea to focus on the giving in this post.
My dad was a wonderful example of philanthropy. Even though he was a middle class worker with a stay-at-home wife, he managed to tithe 10% of his income (or more) his entire adult life.
He also gave freely of his time and talents as well as his money by serving as a deacon, a lay minister of music, as a Gideon, in the Kiwanis Club and more.
Despite his generosity, he was able to always provide for his family – putting five children through college and making sure there was enough to take care of my mom after he passed away.
Thanks for giving me the space to show the world the hero that he was.
Linh says
I totally agree. I’m an unemployed disabled vet, but I still contribute 10% of my “pay” to charity.
Maureen@ADebtFreeStressFreeLife says
My father is the person who inspired me to be giving and generous to others. We grew up poor, but despite our financial struggles, my father always gave to the church, helped others in need, fed the poor. Heck he once gave the coat off his own back to a man on the street who was cold and more than likely homeless. My father’s example is what has cultivated my own desire to be giving to those who are in need. I have tried as a parent to instill this in my own daughter and will teach these lessons to my grandson someday. You’re right, Mark’s generosity is hard to relate to, but there are countless of generous people in the world my friend Joe Lore comes to mind as a selfless man who is always looking to help others through his volunteer work and charitable giving. Kevin Willet has spent years helping the Dracut MA food bank. He is a true example in his community. And, finally my friend Kathy Spencer that has taught countless people how to shop for free, but has given away hundreds of thousands of dollars of food and personal and household supplies to food banks and individuals in her community. I’m truly blessed to know such giving people. Merry Christmas!
Ken says
https://youtu.be/6P89WUw7gxA
This couple.
Jeff says
Thomas, a 23 year old college student and part of the college/career ministry at our church, of which I am a volunteer leader. While introverted and socially awkward, Thomas loved people, as an outpouring of his love for God. While coming from a difficult home life and having to take time off of school to help meet his family’s financial and social needs, Thomas was radically generous, frequently bringing food, buying Christmas gifts for everyone in the group ($3 books from the local Half Price Books Outlet), and hand wrote and text message many encouraging notes to me and many others. He literally “gave the shirt off his back” to a friend while at school after walking in a downpour to the train station before his friend left for home, so he wouldn’t have to go home soaked. While on a missions trip to South America last summer, Thomas didn’t spend money on gifts for himself, but for those who helped send him on the trip. Despite his challenging home circumstances and delays in schooling…Thomas never complained or displayed any bitterness. Thomas challenged me with his servant heart and loving people.
Thomas was killed in a car accident on September 25, 2015. Our group misses him greatly. I miss him greatly. After Thomas died, this quote from Dr. John Piper came to mind and captured Thomas’ life well, “But whatever you do, find the God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated passion of your life, and find your way to say it and live for it and die for it. And you will make a difference that lasts. You will not waste your life.”
Sal says
Wow what an amazing person. I am so sorry for your loss.
Danielle says
My friend Kori lost her husband four years ago. She doesn’t have a large income, but she takes her two young kids with her every weekend to make sure the homeless in our area have what they need. Her kids know that their mom keeps bags of food and supplies in the back of the car all the time, and they know by name all the people who they bless each week.
Kalie @ Pretend to Be Poor says
I agree that we should champion all generosity, even if it is done by billionaires whom we have a hard time relating to. And it’s easy to say we’d do the same in their shoes, but only practicing generosity along the way will ensure our hearts stay in the right place. http://pretendtobepoor.com/generosity/
Carol Whittaker says
My friend Celestino A every week gives hot food and clothing to the homeless, many of whom are Mexican immigrants. Many many times the cost of the food comes out of his own pocket even though his income is limited. “The Lord provides,” he says. He really connects with these people even though he doesn’t speak Spanish, praying with them, advising them. What he really gives is hope.