The more you give, the more you receive.
When we give stuff away, we make the world a better place.
Generous people feel better about themselves. They report a greater sense of life satisfaction and happiness. They build stronger relationships with others. Studies have even linked generosity to improved physical health.
Giving also benefits the receiver. We improve their lives. We fight to overturn injustice. We offer an example to the world of a better way to live. And spur others to do the same.
But maybe the greatest benefit of generosity is the realization that we already have enough.
Our society is held hostage by the pursuit of more. No matter how much we have, we always seem to need more—more stuff and more money.
We choose our careers for the sake of securing more. We spend the best hours of our day trying to obtain more. We get jealous when “less-deserving” people seem to have more. And we constantly worry about having enough.
But this constant desire for more is having damaging effects on our society. 71% of us report feeling stress about money. There are some who experience this anxiety because of legitimate financial need, but for most of us, this stress is misplaced. In a world where 6 billion people live on less than $13,000/year, most of our financial-related stress occurs because of artificially-manufactured need.
Generosity changes these thoughts and helps to remove this pursuit. It reveals to us how blessed we already are. It reminds us we already own more than we need. It shows us how much we have to give and how much good we can accomplish. It helps us see the needs of those we live alongside. And it offers a better alternative for our money than spending it on ourselves.
Generosity counters materialism and consumerism in our lives. It reminds us that we already have enough. It wars against greed and selfish pursuits. It aligns our life with higher purposes. And offers a better way to live.
Give more things away. Your life will feel lighter. Your heart will feel warmer. And the world will be better. (tweet that)
Make a financial donation to a charity you support. Donate clothing you don’t wear, sporting equipment you don’t use, books you have read, or furniture taking up space. Be generous with your time by volunteering at your local school, homeless shelter, or nonprofit of your choice.
Just give something away this week. And be reminded that you already have more than you need.
PT says
I spend 1/2 of my life in an away from home Motel. Last year I started leaving $5 every trip to the housekeeper.. amazing the preferential treatment I now get from the motel staff . It is the same motel every trip. It is a good sum but I know that $600 during the past year will mean a LOT to those HARD working people and their families .. it MN ay just be kind of a karma thing but since I’ve started this I always have spare cash in my pocket..
maximyou.com says
Giving – lucky the ones who “get it” for they live in amazement.
Maybe it’s because of the basic human needs – survival, growth and contribution – contribution is the highest, or of dependency, independence and inter-dependence, inter-dependence is the real-est – and giving each time shows up in the highest?
Be it as it may, I agree with your basic premise. Successful people, by virtue of making a contribution, are givers. By giving they attract giving because it magnetizes you. [I feel the Law Of Attraction is a myth in that it declares people attract what they want. It’s only half the truth at most. Mostly we attract not what we want, but what we are, don’t we?]
Gladys (The Pinay Mom) says
It feels really great when you know you are helping somebody by giving donations and a lot of times the blessings come back. If you’re donating money to a certain charity,make sure to check if they’re legal,nowadays a lot of scams or it only makes its top executives get rich.
Heidi @ Barefoot and Paleo says
I love this! I feel generosity is contagious in that if you do something nice for someone else, whether it involves money or not, they feel they need to pay it forward and in turn do something nice for someone else. In essence, you are creating a love-filled generosity snowball. If only everyone did this, our world would be completely different.
I agree 100% when you give away, you feel lighter and happier. I try to be generous every single day in some way, shape, or form.
Cindy says
My husband & I are realizing God’s grace and generosity as we continue to open our hands to help others by donating to charities. As we have trusted Him in giving, He has given us more – it seems He is giving to us so we can give more! Praises!
Rose Fisher says
I’ve struggled with depression and nervous issues for years–I started volunteering around my community and soon found that it was a great cure for me. You forgot your own problems when you’re out helping others.
Toni says
Thank you so much for this post. I have been struggling with the idea of retiring. But cannot bring myself to, because I will have to live on a significantly smaller amount of money. And, sadly, I am afraid to be without the same amount of money. Even though I have plenty of everything, even after downsizing, I am still terrified. I will read this post daily, since I really want to retire.
Thank you.
joan says
Hi, I’m retired and happily living on less money. But with more flexible time, I can do lots of free things during former work hours: a string quartet at the public library at 3:00 pm on a Thursday. Speaking of the library, I take advantage of so many free programs there plus I’ve bought only a “keeper” art book or the like since retiring. I know have time to use library books and getting them back on time! I volunteer at local museum, for the sheer pleasure of it, including meeting interesting people. An unexpected benefit are discounts at the museum, a nearby theatre.
Harlean Oswell says
I say take the leap and don’t look back! Consider all the possibilities you’ll have in your future even with a smaller limited income living simply. Free time to do whatever you want to do whenever you want to do it. Enjoy pursuing interests you love and new interests you’ve always wanted to pursue.
I so look forward to retiring! We combined two households back in 2009. I’ve been downsizing since then. Still a lot to let go of. Joshua’s Blog and Facebook page have inspired me to make the next BIG attack on getting rid of THE STUFF! Making a harder push this year and getting closer to setting the retirement date 2-1/2 to 3 years from now as our goal. Best of luck to you in retirement!
David Y says
Thanks Joshua.
I received some unexpected money over the weekend. I will donate it to a science facility at my old college that does not get state funding.
As part of de-cluttering, I have donated a number of items to Habitat ReStore. Also have given some things away through freecycle. An old TV went to a lady who is having to start over after a serious illness.
This doesn’t make me anything special. But, it did feel good to know that I was helping others in some small way.
Jim says
Thank you for reminding us how blessed we really are. I work a job that pays me for performance. I received a report last week that told me the way I recieve my pay was being changed. I reacted in a decent way to begin with, and was proud that I didn’t let it get the best of me. Then I began thinking about it. I began to react in a way that ending up causing me stress, anxiety, and no one, including myself could change the out come. I addressed it with management, and still couldn’t get any satifaction. I do realize that I work for my income, and I give a good days work for my pay. However, there are people who have less than I, and work harder!
Thank you again,
Jim
Teri Clifton says
Joshua,
Until recently I had always owned 2 sets of bedsheets. Why? Because that is the way it had always been. Might’ve made sense to just have a spare set but I’ve never needed one, ever. So now I have one set of amazing sheets and one comforter and I discovered something. I love this set of sheets so much. They are a nice thread count and I got them at an outlet for huge savings but I love them because they are singular. I found that paring down has me truly appreciating what I have so much more. Silly as it may sound, I say a silent prayer of gratitude every single time I get into bed and take a moment to really “get” that this is supreme luxury, to have a bed. The extra set of sheets was just unnecessary. Thank you for this post, it reminds me to both be grateful and to share.
ren says
Love that comment, I actually have two sets of sheets, perfect number for me, I find with two sets i make bed right away while other set is in wash…that’s what works for me, but I did clean out my dresser by purging so I now have room for extra set.