The Gift of Giving by Jim Stovall
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from StockSnap
This week I am excited about the release of my latest book. The Gift of Giving, which I co-authored with Don Green of The Napoleon Hill Foundation, may be the most important book among the 48 I have authored to date. First and foremost, the privilege of working with Don Green and The Napoleon Hill Foundation is unparalleled. I don’t know of any individual or organization that embodies giving more than Don and the Foundation.
Giving is one of the many paradoxes we face in our human existence. You may remember your third grade teacher explaining, “If Johnny has four apples and gives one to Mary, that leaves him with only three apples.” While this is mathematically true, it fails to take into account the intangible benefits of giving that far outweigh one apple. The equation fails to explain that Johnny is left with a sense of well-being and abundance that only comes from the process of giving our time or resources. The equation doesn’t explain that Johnny, now with his abundance mentality, will prosper more in the future and have dozens of apples to share that he might have never had without expanding his mind and spirit. Mary is left with a sense of gratitude that causes her to look at the world in more positive ways, and she becomes a success so she can, in turn, follow in Johnny’s footsteps and become a giver.
Every bit of our time, talent, and resources should be divided into three categories. Some of it is meant to be enjoyed today, some of it should be saved for our future, and some of everything we receive should be responsibly given away.
In our society, we are over-extending ourselves on spending for today. We have countless people and books wanting to advise us on how to invest for our future, but there is very little said or done regarding organized, intentional giving.
In The Gift of Giving, I recount my experience of beginning with a ten-dollar seed that grew into a commitment for a single gift of over one million dollars. It might seem outrageous or out of the realm of possibility in your life, but if you read The Gift of Giving, you will discover that you’ve never met anyone less qualified or less likely to ever have—much less give away—over a million dollars.
During these difficult times, we need to re-evaluate and reset our lives. In a post-pandemic world, there will be many people and causes that need your time, talent, and resources. Determine to become a giver and you will never regret it.
As you go through your day today, commit to experience The Gift of Giving.
Today’s the day!
Jim Stovall is the president of Narrative Television Network, a columnist, a motivational speaker, as well as a published author of many books. His latest book, co-authored with Don Green of the Napoleon Hill Foundation, is The Gift of Giving: Living Your Legacy. It is available to purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Porchlight Book Company, Google Play, Apple Books, and other fine retailers. Follow Jim on Twitter (@stovallauthor) or Facebook (@jimstovallauthor). And be sure to sign up to receive free samples of Jim Stovall’s books and audiobooks from Sound Wisdom!