“You’re far happier giving than getting.”
When invited to dinner, it’s good to bring a gift for the hostess. When your brother is mad at you, send a gift with a note acknowledging your love. When a man in need sits outside the train station daily, share your wealth. When a food drive is announced at your child’s school, pack up some canned goods. Even when suspicious about the person with their hand out, give.
Some people have uncanny good fortune. They make wealth-producing decisions. Long hours and diligent attention to detail with a dose of mysterious good luck grant some folks with large bank accounts. If you’re one, give. You never know how long wealth will flow; sharing gives your life new dimensions of meaning and value. Giving may become your legacy.
Some family gatherings represent millions of dollars. If your family owns extensive wealth, create a family foundation. Organize a board of trustees or directors and determine how you will share your wealth. The poor live in every city and town through history; relieving their distress by giving may become your legacy.
Whether affluent or just comfortable, most of us have more than we need. Giving puts a smile on our faces, lifts our hearts, gives meaning to our life, and could become our legacy.
A Roman attorney and preacher said, “I’ve never, as you so well know, had any taste for wealth or fashion. With these bare hands I took care of my own basic needs and those who worked with me. In everything I’ve done, I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.’” (The Message, Eugene Peterson)
If you get stuck wondering where to give, how your gift will work, or if the charity uses your money wisely, consider these resources. Search on charitable organizations using these agencies:
“If you care about nonprofits and the work they do, then you’re affected by what GuideStar does—even if this is your first visit to www.guidestar.org. You see, we gather and publicize information about nonprofit organizations. Our reach is far and wide. Our database is broad and deep.”
NATIONAL CHARITIES INFORMATION BUREAU
NCIB’s mission is to promote informed giving and to enable more contributors to make sound giving decisions. NCIB is a non-profit organization.
BBB Wise Giving collects and distributes information on hundreds of non-profit organizations that solicit nationally or internationally. If a charity becomes the subject of an investigation, BBB Wise Giving Alliance requests data about programs, governance, fund raising methods, and finances.
“Created in 1994, the Morino Institute is a nonprofit organization that explores the opportunities and risks of the Internet and the New Economy to advance social change. Our work is focused in four key areas: stimulating entrepreneurship, advancing a more effective philanthropy, closing social divides and understanding the relationship and impact of the Internet on our society.”
THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR FAMILY PHILANTHROPY
“The mission of the National Center for Family Philanthropy is to promote philanthropic values, vision, and excellence across generations of donors and donor families. Our understanding and experience with the very personal act of giving ensure that these donors and their advisors have access to the highest quality information and the encouragement needed to:
- Articulate, pursue, and achieve their charitable missions;
- Understand and meet their governance and management needs; and
- Have a significant, positive impact on the lives and work of those they support. “
Verify your charities status before submitting your tax deductible donations.
