The Genius of Generosity: How Giving Actually Sets You Free
Welcome back to The Invested Life! Today we’re diving into a powerful question that might just change your perspective: What if generosity isn’t just about your money, but about your freedom?
If financial struggles have a grip on your spirit and vision, generosity might be your way out. For Christmas, my lovely wife gifted me a book called The Genius of Generosity by Chip Ingram, and it was an absolute game-changer. Let’s break down some eternal principles from this read that will help you protect, provide, and promote with purpose.
The Three Buckets of Generosity
People often tune out when the topic of money comes up, but we use it every day—so we need to talk about it! However, true generosity isn’t limited to what’s in your bank account. I want you to view generosity through three distinct buckets:
- Money
- What you say (Words)
- What you do (Actions)
When you align your generosity with real action, it creates an atomic reaction for spiritual success.
“Generosity begins in your heart and not your wallet.”
Tackling Tithing and Materialism
I know the word “tithe” makes a lot of people look down at their shoes, but since I don’t get paid by a church, I can talk about it with no strings attached!
Tithing is unique because it’s one of the only spiritual disciplines that you can actually physically see in the real world. Unlike trying to quantify how “loving” you were on a given day, tithing is binary: you either physically wrote the check (or gave online), or you didn’t. We give that 10% to the church so they can minister and bless others.
Materialism is incredibly real, especially in our heavily blessed society. But freedom comes when you apply this simple rule: It’s okay to have things, as long as they don’t have you.
Dan Can Musings: Generosity in Action
Generosity leaves a lasting legacy. I’ve experienced it firsthand in two major ways:
- The Pothole Co-op: Growing up in Port Orchard, I lived down a terrible dirt road filled with massive potholes. Because my parents had a long commute to Tacoma, they couldn’t pick me up from after-school sports. Thankfully, neighborhood families generously formed a carpool to drive me home. One dad even braved that awful road in his IROC—though I noticed he never did it again! Their generous gift of time kept me in sports and out of an empty house.
- The Fighter’s Chance: Transitioning from making great money as a college bartender to a starting teacher’s salary, I racked up some terrible, high-interest credit card debt. I confessed this struggle to a mentor. He didn’t just give me advice; he took me to the top floor of a bank to meet his private banker. Together, they helped me consolidate my debt at less than half the interest rate. He didn’t pay the debt off for me, but his generous action gave me the “fighter’s chance” I needed to pay it down myself.
The Law of 72
You can’t outgive God, and He gave us our talents—whether it’s compassion, business, or teaching—to help others.
So, here is your Law of 72: What are you going to do within the next 72 hours to take generosity to the next level in your life? Pick up The Genius of Generosity, check your three buckets, and take action.
Love well, do good.
