Food For Thought

Last year Gareth Morgan stunned the country by giving away his $47 million windfall from the sale of Trade Me. William Buffett, the world's richest man gave $50 billion to help solve the world's ills.

This makes the few dollars you and I pass across to a street collector or give to support a child become an educated, healthy adult seem insignificant - though we know that isn't the case for the recipient.

Today we are besieged by requests to give. They come through the mail, the phone, the email, the paper and from friends. Businesses receive dozens of calls a week. Of the requesting of money there seems no end, and it is escalating.

So how do we decide who or what to give to? Do we give on a whim, emotionally, randomly? Or do we give to get the person off our doorstep? Or may be we give to make a difference?

My first job was mowing lawns in Karori. I got five shillings a cut in those days. So home I came clutching my first pay. With the patience of a coach, my mother quietly said that a tenth was to be given to others who had a greater need. The principle of giving seemed non-negotiable, but the choice of recipient was. I could decide who that might be. I had watched my parents give generously, though they had little. She had modelled giving, now she expected me to. Sharing our resources is a great principle to live by.

Years ago I read a book, The Art of Giving, about a guy whose giving was generous but not ad hoc or random. I took some helpful principles from it, including:

1. Give where you can expect to see significant benefits. What tangible difference will this make? Will a person be better housed, healed by an eye operation or given an education?
2. How will you know if there are benefits? Expect a level of accountability, from the individual or organisation. Ask to see reports, a photo, to receive a newsletter, or an annual report. If these can't be provided ask questions. If you don't receive answers, maybe you should with hold further donations.
3. Give where you have a connection and a passion. Maybe it's a sport you love, a school you are grateful for, a church that helped in time of crisis, maybe it is greening the world or saving the kiwi.
4. Give thoughtfully, strategically. What level of investment will be needed to make a difference? Consider giving more to fewer organizations so that a greater difference can be made.
5. And give for the sheer enjoyment, expecting nothing in return, grateful that you have something to give.

An old sage once said: "Having money is like drinking seawater, the more you have the more you want!" However, another wise person said: "Make all the money you can, give all the money you can!"

Food for thought.