With the holidays right around the corner, it’s the season of charitable giving. We discuss this topic often throughout the year but especially during fourth quarter—because not only is charitable giving a way to reinforce your values and support important causes, but also, it’s a valuable tax-saving strategy before year-end.
I want to highlight, however, that charitable giving is not the only way to be a good steward of your resources. Stewardship is simply ‘the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.’ Giving is a good first step to break the power of money over our lives, but it’s just as important to be generous with our time and our talents as with our treasure.
If we aren’t sharing our time, talent and treasure with those around us, it’s easy to be too focused on ourselves. An inward focus is not the recipe for a meaningful life that yields contentment. To quote philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
As we approach Thanksgiving, let’s remember not only to be grateful for all we’ve been given, but the best way to honor those gifts is to share them generously with others. Volunteer at your local food bank. Be a mentor to an at-risk youth. Serve on a nonprofit board that could benefit from your skills. Of course, donate money if you can—and be smart about it by using tax-efficient vehicles. However, there are many ways to meet the tangible needs of our community. May you be blessed as you seek to bless others this holiday season!