It is more blessed to give than to receive
—Acts 20:35
British historian and author, Paul Johnson, asked a wealthy colleague the reason for his obvious misery. “In the last two years,” said his depressed friend, “the value of my assets has fallen by half a billion dollars.”
Even though he remained enormously rich, he wallowed in the poor-me pain of his loss.
Johnson observed, “As people who acquire riches quickly discover, once you are well-fed, clothed and housed, you have to either spend your money on competitive ostentation—or save it. Either choice brings problems and worries.”
I would argue that saving or ostentations spending aren’t the only options. A third alternative is giving. Few succeed at achieving the virtue of liberality—but those who do, discover happiness that eludes those who don’t.
Be remembered for your
generosity, not your greed.