Outrageous Generosity

Yesterday was the day set aside in the United States as “Giving Tuesday.” More than likely you already know this because this is the day every organization you have ever donated to sends you an email reminding you, and asking for your #GivingTuesday donation. Many of us have mixed feelings about #GivingTuesday. On one hand it is great to have a time set aside to give, but should we need a special day once a year to remember to share with those in need?

Coincidentally (God's providence), yesterday was also the final lesson in the Financial Peace University class that your MoneySense coaches have been facilitating this fall. Lesson 9: Outrageous Generosity. In this lesson we heard from Dave Ramsey and his team about why we should be generous and what outrageous generosity could look like. Here are some of the highlights:

Why should we be generous?

God calls us to be generous. Throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testament, there are many verses telling us to be generous and to care for the orphans and widows who are among us. If you take time to dig in to these verses, you find that this is not for God’s benefit, it is for our benefit. The giver benefits as much or more than those who are receiving. These are instructions on how to live your best life, not commandments you have to follow to get into heaven. It’s true that “God loves a cheerful giver”, but He loves you no matter what.

Indira Gandhi said: “You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist.” If we hold onto our treasure, time and talents with a clenched fist these blessings may not get away from you, but no more can get in either. Holding on with an open hand allows God’s blessings to flow through us to others. We are not designed simply to consume. Even the great theologians, the 80s band .38 Special said, “hold on loosely, but don’t let go…if you cling to tightly, you’re gonna to lose control.”

Follow the science. Have you noticed that generous people are always smiling? There’s a reason why Scrooge was frowning at the beginning of the show and smiling broadly by the end. Scientific studies have proven that giving releases dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is the “feel-good” chemical that our bodies release when your brain is expecting a reward. When we associate a certain activity with pleasure, dopamine is released and it makes us feel good. Science proves that giving makes us happy.

What could Outrageous Generosity look like?

As Ramsey calls it, it could be “We the People, taking care of We the People”. We could literally replace many of our famously inefficient government programs through generosity. Here are some statistics that Dave shared:

• Last year Americans gave $286 billion to charities. That works out to be $2,514 per household, or 4% of total income in annual giving.

• St Jude Children’s hospital in Memphis, TN provides totally free healthcare to critically ill children from all over the United States. Their annual budget is about $1 billion. If American’s were to increase their giving by just 1/3, we could fund 100 more St Jude hospitals. That’s with just an increase of just $16 per week.

• There are 108,000 children in foster care awaiting adoption. The cost of placing them is at most $2,500. With an increase of just 1% in giving (from 4% to 5% of income, less than $10 per week) we could fund all of the adoptions and place every eligible child into a forever home.

• Last year 42 million Americans suffered from food insecurity and hunger. That’s not people in a third world country, that is 42 million people right here in the United States. It is estimated that it would take $25 billion to end hunger in the U.S. That represents less than a 10% increase in giving, from 4% to 4.4% of our income, or less than five dollars per week.

• To accomplish all three of these Outrageously Generous goals: Fund 100 more hospitals to care for critically ill children (for free), place EVERY eligible child currently in foster care into a forever home, AND end hunger and food insecurity in the United States, would take approximately $30 per week per household.

Does that seem like a lot to ask? Last year Americans spend $41 billion on Christmas decorations. We spent $70 billion on our pets. Don’t misinterpret these statistics. It’s not that we shouldn’t have Christmas décor or pets. As Dave says, “The point is, there is money flying around out there.” It gives us perspective.

We are called to be generous. Both Biblical and non-religious leaders tell us it is best for us as well as those receiving. Science proves it is good for us. So what are we waiting for?

If all of this talk of donating leaves you wanting to help, you’ve got plenty of causes to chose from. The IRS says there are 1.5 million non-profits registered in the U.S. It won’t take long to find one or more you feel passionately about, and can give of your treasure, time and/or talent.

Just don’t wait until #GivingTuesday next year. Get out there and make a difference every day.

Don't feel like you have enough to donate? Being able to be outrageously generous is the "so that..." part of your financial plan. We get out of debt "so that", we live within our means "so that", we live on a budget "so that", so that...we can be outrageously generous. If we do all those things, but keep our money clenched tightly in our fist, we may have financial success, but we will miss out on financial PEACE. If you need help determining your path to Financial Peace, we can help! Contact us below to set up a FREE consultation.