When it comes to generosity, “greatness” requires us to see a need and immediately meet the need, without regard for social standing or our own desires. If we want to live more generous lives, we should imitate children, who view the world through a filter not yet corrupted by their own ambitions and fears. My son’s response to a homeless man reminded me of our tendency to over-complicate giving, and how simple the logic really should be.
There’s one significant difference between the prosperity gospel and what the Bible really says about material rewards. While the prosperity gospel encourages people to give more so that they can get (and spend) more, God really provides more so that we can give more. It’s a subtle but hugely important distinction that hinges on motivation and heart.
On this Father’s Day, I wanted to better understand how stay-at-home dads get over the psychological barrier of not being traditional breadwinners. In interviews with friends, I found a common theme in their stories: To take the bold step of becoming a stay-at-home dad, a husband must believe in his wife. It’s only when a husband sees the full potential of his spouse can he feel confident enough to leave behind one of the primary drivers of his identity and purpose: his own career.
Although I write a lot about charitable giving on The Rich Fool, a generous life calls for more than monetary donations. A good friend reminded me recently that charity is just one “currency of generosity” — and perhaps the easiest one. If you want to grow in generosity, it’s critical that you stretch outside your comfort zone and give in new ways. Here are the six currencies of generosity.
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