“Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.” ―Henry Longfellow
Generosity makes our world a better place. It improves the life of the receiver. And it improves the life of the giver. Yet, despite the benefits, generosity is still too rare in our world today.
Instead, our society craves and pursues more at every turn. We seek enjoyment by directing most of our resources towards our own pursuits: security, possessions, experiences, enjoyment, and luxury. Meanwhile, significant opportunities for generosity surround us every day at every turn. In order to unconform our thinking in a consumer-driven world and begin taking greater advantage of the abundant benefits of generosity, we need to shift our worldview.
Consider then, these 9 ways generous people see the world differently:
1. They recognize the resource pie is not finite.
The mindset of competition—that my resources only grow when someone else’s shrinks—is based on a faulty premise. It assumes there is a finite sized pie and if someone else enjoys success, my opportunity shrinks. But quite frankly, this thinking is incorrect. The pie of resources is not finite. It continues to grow as society benefits from others’ success.
2. They know that generosity leads to greater happiness.
Studies confirm what generous people already know: Giving increases happiness, fulfillment, and purpose in the life of the giver. We were not designed to be creatures of selfishness. Instead, we were designed to seek and discover happiness in loving and caring for others. And those who decide to look for fulfillment there, quickly discover it.
3. They find success in helping others succeed.
The easiest path to finding success in your life is to help someone else find theirs. After all, our contribution to this world has to be measured by something more significant than the size of our savings account. Our lives are going to find their greatest significance in how we choose to live them—and how we enable others to live theirs.
4. They believe changing even one life is worthwhile.
Generous people are quick to admit the world’s problems will never be solved by one person… and perhaps, never completely solved even in the future. But perfection does not slow them. To them, changing even one life within their sphere of influence is reward enough. And is a worthy endeavor to be sought.
5. They trust others.
Generosity always requires trust. To invest individual resources into another person, we must believe, on some level, that they will use them wisely. Generous people are optimistic. And optimistic people are happy people because they choose to live in a world where belief in others is liberally employed.
6. They dream big dreams for their money.
Our money is only as valuable as what we choose to spend it on. Generous people use their excess to bring big dreams into reality. Our financial resources can be used to improve the quality of life for others. They can be used to make our communities safer, smarter, and more responsible. They can be used to make this world a little more pleasant for everyone. Indeed, generous people dream big dreams for their money… and so should we.
7. They see more resources to give than money.
We have so much more to offer this world than just financial resources. We have time, talents, experiences, and lessons learned. Giving people think beyond their money and begin to invest their lives into others. Often times, this step can be more difficult than signing a check… but usually, it is more desperately needed.
8. They fully embrace the reality that life is short.
Life is short. And we only get one shot at it. Those who fully embrace this reality learn to live life in light of it. They recognize we have but a short time to leave our imprint on this world. And they cheerfully give their resources to accomplish it.
9. They are content to live with less.
By definition, true generosity requires a level of contentment. It recognizes the reality that giving our resources to another person means we have less for ourselves. In this way, contentment forms the foundation for generosity. But in response, surprisingly enough, generosity also becomes the fuel for greater contentment.
Our world is desperately seeking cheerful and generous givers. They improve society. They inspire us. They push us forward. And their view of the world is one I desire to further grow in my own life.
Image: Chris Yarzab
DavidSLesperance says
I deal with some very HNW strategic philanthropists and would add the following:
10. Whether local, regional, national or international problems being solved, government is not a very effective or efficient charitable vehicle. Every possible tax dollar legally avoided, is another dollar that can be put to use in strategic philanthropy.
Ion Doaga says
These are very good points of generous people.
It’s sometimes difficult to logically understand why should you limit at something when you can enjoy a pleasant moment right here, right now. It’s just they to be. It’s not logic.
Most generous people I’ve met in my life are just awesome. They are easy to communicate and I feel comfortable in their company.
Janice says
Thanks for this, Joshua. Every point strikes home for me, particularly at this time when I am pondering a big step to dedicate a larger chunk of my resources to share with others in my community.
Jennifer Vanderslice says
Thank you for this…well done!
A Riffe says
My 88yr old mother, Rosalie comments : you can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving, she also says frequently: do your giving while you’re living then you’re know’in where it’s go’in
I have found it is more blessed to give than to receive, but think seriously about
what will last for eternity, not just for now. Personally, I believe in the Bible alone, no other book. Jesus said, I am The Way, The Truth and The Life, no one comes to The Father but through me, people are the only ones we can take to Heaven with us.
Of course, we are to be givers, Gods Word says it best, He gave all. No one took Jesus life, He gave it freely for us, what an example of giving!
Genene says
In a time where the churches are telling us to give generously…
It is a crime to feed the homeless people, in public or private…
Don’t give to the church ….give to the homeless…everyone…
if you have something and do not need it…give it to someone who does…
they will feel grateful and you will feel fulfilled within your heart.
Let’s keep our heart open….
The churches don’t need it…they are rich.
It is our brother or sister on the street, going through that bin for a bite to eat…
buy them a meal, give it to them…
You have a walking stick and you see someone struggling to walk…give them the walking stick….it really does keep our hearts open and ourselves humble….peace all.
Gaura says
Beautiful article, practical spirituality. We need more articles like that. Bhagavad Gita clearly says that donations, austerities and acquiring knowledge never should be given up. What you give from the heart, will come back at least in the same amount. Poor people are more generous then rich, but they are much richer in consciousness. I have seen here in India. People who have nothing don’t lock there door, everyone is welcome. But as soon as they have a television, a fridge,…. privacy comes. Association with Sadhus is very important in spiritual life. Real sadhus will go the houses to beg where the door is open.
Jean says
Just reading comments from others already shows how happy that person is or is not. I find so much more joy in sharing in any way I can, even letting someone in line ahead of me, a very small thing indeed. They are happy, the people around who notice enjoy it, the cashier is happy noticing this and it makes me feel good. Then the person turns around and thanks me again. So I keep getting residuals from a very small gesture. Maybe one day one of those people who do not enjoy giving may have someone help them and give to them and in turn may realize the joy and happiness in that gesture. If not….well ….. then not. It is a choice……..
Barbara Bonner says
Hi Joshua:
What a wonderful entry! I have just written a book on generosity titled Inspiring Generosity, that will be out early in 2014. If you send me your address (barbara@barbarabonner.org) I’ll make sure to send you a copy.
Wonderful work. We see this so similarly.
Best,
Barbara
big d says
Generosity as we know it, giving away of something you have no need for or of something you have in excess, should be “outlawed” or condemned. It violates the natural law of economics which states that you can’t get something for nothing unless you steal it. The only thing that is truly and naturally “yours” is your body and the ground that it stands on. You can’t be generous with these by giving either of these away for nothing. If you do your status becomes that of a slave. There has to be an exchange of labor in all equitable human interaction. Generosity violates this “fair market” exchange.
kitty says
Not every thing is about “market forces” big d and there is nothing” natural” about economics ,Stealing would not exist if we gave freely of ourselves and good’s .without condition Generosity on the other hand is higher state of being usually found in people who have evolved sufficiently to see all is not about money and possessions.
Janice says
Big d: is that really what ‘generosity as we know it’ is? I disagree. People who volunteer to help others are generous: they are giving their time – definitely not a throw-away commodity – as well as their skills and knowledge, both ‘parts’ of their bodies since these exist in their brains. Giving freely of either would not make them slaves. I believe there is an exchange of labor, just not that the volunteer becomes the direct recipient of the exchange; someone else down the road is, the pay-it-forward idea. That a volunteer can pass on labor only reflects that some time in the past, he/she was a recipient of someone else’s labor.
jaci says
big d, generosity does not violate the “fair market” exchange, humans do. God blessed me with a creative mind and I have been sewing since I was 8 years old (44 years). People are always saying, you should use this talent to make money. Well guess what? No one wants to pay you for your time. We all act like it is terrible that children are making our clothes for slave wages in sweat shops in other countries, yet no one wants to pay more for their clothing. Several years ago a friend offered to pay me to make her teenage daughter an elaborate Halloween costume. It took me 10 hours to complete and she gave me $20 and acted like that was a big deal. It hurt me deeply that she thought my time was only worth $2 and hour, especially when I was in a tight spot and she could afford to pay me better. So from that point forward, I decided that my gift would be shared as a gift to anyone I felt deserving. Trust me, I get much more satisfaction and joy when my time is spent this way.