16 7 Giving Generally, when I talk about giving, I talk about it in the financial sense. But giving isn’t just about money. It can also be about giving a fitting proportion of our time and our talents. The key is using our money and possessions, capabilities and energy, knowing that our time here on earth is short. We ought not to put off what our purpose in life calls us to do because we don ’t know when we will draw our last breath. How can giving benefit you? I believe that fulfilment and contentment come from giving, provided that it’s aligned with your purpose, your values and what and who is important to you. In many cases, you get the most joy from giving to a cause or community that’s directly related to your own story. A fresh way to approach giving is to put it ahead of creating your budget. Could you decide on what you want to give first, and then create your budget to allow for that expenditure on giving? Do you believe that giving is so important that you’d be prepared to say, “I’m going to give this amount and then my lifestyle will be dependent on what’s left”? 26 Jonathan M. Gibson CFP™, Chartered Fellow (Financial Planning) www.wellsgibson.uk
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