Our perspective on giving shows a lot about who we are on the inside. Are we giving to give or giving to get? Only you really know that question for yourself. Hidden agendas aren’t always easy to spot on the outside but over time, people will figure it out. It’s about motives and constantly checking yours to make sure they line up with who you say you are.
The Real Givers
There are a lot of very generous people in the world. Those who give simply to give, because they feel it’s the right thing to do. They don’t expect anything in return, they’re just happy to make a difference and share a little bit of what they themselves have been blessed to receive. These people are often people focused and put weight on serving the needs of others. They care about relationships.
The Posers
Then there are those who only give with the expectation of something in return. If they don’t see a possibility of getting something back, they won’t give at all. They won’t tell you that, of course, but it’s quite obvious in their actions over time. They’re in it for what they can get out of it. They care more about themselves. To them, it’s not about relationships, it’s about a transaction. These people are the ones who make others question the motives of Real Givers by tossing doubt into why anyone would want to give just to give. These people create the “Well, what’s the catch?” question that Real Givers often receive.
I don’t know which you are or if you are neither.
What I do know is that every day we have a choice to choose which we will be. A Poser who is self serving and only cares about himself or a Real Giver who is adding value to others, even if they do nothing for them in return.
I know which one I’ll choose to be. What about you?
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