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March 26, 2007
Charity and Riches
By Drew in A/QMOs
Charity can be such a funny thing sometimes. Some use charity as a way to get rid of some sort of guilt, some use it as a way to get a tax break, and sadly some even use it as a status symbol of their position in life. Fortunately, there are also those who do it because they have a passion for what their particular charity represents, and some who just want to know that in some way they made a difference while they were here, no matter how big, or how small.
Sadly I noticed a comment from an IBO the other day who stated he was holding back on giving to charity until they "make it big" (whatever that means). I remember when I was in Quixtar and this was a very common thing to hear. Many times I would hear IBOs talk about how much they were going to give, or what kind of charities they were going to start, so on and so forth. Of course all donations were on hold until a certain pin level. All very admirable things to do with their planned riches, but why does one need to wait, and why does giving need to be thousands or millions?
I don't normally like to talk about any of the charity work I do because I don't ever want it to be misunderstood as bragging or boasting. But since leaving Quixtar my wife and I have gotten involved in charity and it has been an experience that has really opened my eyes. One of the most interesting things I have learned is that most charities rely mainly on gov't grants, and steady small donations usually made by middle-class America.
I have learned that an imaginative mind is more valuable to a charity then any million dollar check could ever be. I have seen some of the most amazing people put together drives and fundraisers that not only helped a charity, but inspired others in the community to put their own ideas into action. I have yet to see a large check from a rich person do that. I have also learned that while charities most certainly love to have money donations, in some cases a person's time can be even more valuable.
I don't fault the IBO who made the comment about waiting. Their plans are admirable, and it is good to see that their dreams are not full of just houses, cars, luxury, and more material luxury. But I hope that IBOs realize that you don't need to wait until you have a million dollars before you can make a donation. I hope they realize that the habits they carry as a 100PV IBO will carry over as a Triple-Super-Awesome-Diamond. In the end you are either a giver or you are not a giver. Usually those that are true givers do not determine when to give based upon the size of their bank account, it is determined usually on the size of their heart for others.
Comments
I was encouraged by upline to budget 10% tithing/charity before any business or personal expenses... this was from the first month in business.
Again, I guess our group was just a "special" one?... (They learned this from my Diamond who teaches it from stage and in group sessions)
Good post Drew, nothing that I can see as being misinforming, at least for the first time since I read your posts.
Why do some people wait for the millions so to be able to give? Personal choices or personal fears. Myself, I want to make millions but I can give still, even as little as 5 $, in view of my financial status. However, I like big numbers and that is why it makes me feel bad when I give little. Maybe it's just a silly feeling of personal guilt without justification. On the other hand when I will make millions I can give away thousand, tens of thousands. Until then, I give little amounts. Still, little, makes me feel somewhat bad. Correct me if that feeling I have is unjustified for I should be happy in giving even little. Sometimes, giving little makes me feel avaricious.
Drew,
I agree wholeheartedly with your entire post.
Jesus commanded us to go forth & tell others about Him & to do as He would do.
That's it. No matter how much money you have. He doesn't care about that. It's what you do with what He gave you. That's what He is going to look at.
Brad,
No your group is not special, but it is not the norm either. I can recall many times hearing about waiting till Emerald or Diamond so big chunks of money could be given instead. I can say without doubt my group was not the only one teaching this.
Cristian,
I understand the feelings that go along with giving, but do you give for how it makes you feel, or because you want to help?
And I can say without a doubt that Brad's group is not the only one teaching and encouraging to give from day one.
All I can say, Drew, is AMEN.
Superb post.
Brad,
Who's your diamond? I already like the guy for the fact that he recommends tithing 10%. Is his suggestion to tithe 10%, circulated on CDs through BWW?
Drew,
I give because I feel helping is the right thing to do. It makes me feel good when I do that. When I give little it makes me feel frustrated because I could give much more.
Drew,
It is a shame your group was like that. Perhaps more talk should be given to the great things that have come out of charity, volunteering, and the like to encourage others to follow that same path.
I still enjoy the saying: "Serving is actually the most selfish thing you can do." -- With the knowledge that your service comes back to you 10-fold, how can it be seen as unselfish?...
The Bible-thumping IBOs ought to review the story of the Widow's Mite.
So Brad's group promotes religion?
I would suspect that delaying charitable contributions is a concious strategy on the part of the diamond leadership. They don't want anything to interfere with the flock buying those extra tapes and other tools each month. My upline emerald proudly showed off his "new" used Buick, claiming that Dexter always said to buy used cars.
I wonder what Dexter, et al. would have to say about buying second hand tapes?
Excellent post Drew.
So Jim, if it's a "conscious strategy" then what's the conscious strategy of groups that not only encourage charity work, but have also founded many, and partner with some of the biggest in the world, such as UNICEF and World Vision, including having representatives as guest speakers and having booths at seminars?
"I still enjoy the saying: "Serving is actually the most selfish thing you can do." -- With the knowledge that your service comes back to you 10-fold, how can it be seen as unselfish?..."
It is only selfish if all you think about, and the only reason you do it is for the 10-fold return.
Personally I don't care about any return, and would still do what I do with a knowledge of no return at all. With what I am involved in I am helping people change their lives on a very personal level. Helping someone to better their life and quality of life is all I care about.
I've listened to Brad's upline diamond and some larger pins from their team and I must say that I actually wished I was on their team because of the values they espoused on CD. They didn't brag and seemed like humble, decent people. So I don't doubt for a moment that they encourage people to give no matter what stage they are in.
Note that this is not an endorsement of the group. I have problems with the systems in general, especially in BWW (Brad's system and mine). But Brad's upline diamonds are probably the best ones I ever came across (i.e., heard on audio), as good as diamonds can be. ;) (That last part was a joke.)
So Brad's group promotes religion?
Posted by: Joecool18 | March 27, 2007 9:02 PM
The above statement is a perfect example of someone trying to stir up 'trouble' where there simply is none.
How sad...
Anon wrote: The above statement is a perfect example of someone trying to stir up 'trouble' where there simply is none.
Joe says: Brad mentioned "tithing". That is tied into God's laws. If a diamond is teaching it, then their group teaches religion, although to what extent I don't know, which is why I asked. I was under the impression that insider's and Brad's group did not discuss religion and/or politics at functions, etc, based on what I have heard from them in the past.
What's stirring up trouble is your comment.
Yes, joecool, it would seem you were just trying to stir up trouble.
He speaks of tithing because that is in his values. The point is giving of yourself first, 10% in this case, and then working with the rest towards worth while goals and ends.
If he promoted tithing, as Christians teach, as the only right way, then I might see your point, but that is not what he is saying.
It is a lot easier for the listener to take a speaker's reflections and point of view and adopt them to their own way of life than for the audience member to require the speaker to adopt the way of life of all of his listeners... it would seem you prefer the latter, and I find that ridiculous.
Drew: I find the saying humorous yet true, in a sense. You cannot help but to be rewarded for your charity, whether that be in a good feeling of you helping others, financially, acts of service, etc. It is universally impossible to act completely benevolently without reward... and I am ok with that... it is a lot better than the alternative: no one helping anyone because nothing good comes out of it :-)
"it is a lot better than the alternative: no one helping anyone because nothing good comes out of it :-)"
I suppose this would be true if you consider the only good to come out of helping is a personal payback reward.
Again just speaking personally, the way I see it if someone got helped I think something very good came out of me helping them. I don't need a ten-fold reward to come back to me just to think it was worth helping someone.
Brad wrote: If he promoted tithing, as Christians teach, as the only right way, then I might see your point, but that is not what he is saying.
Joe: Thanks, that is what I was trying to clarify because our group did not stress tithing, but promoted Christianity with defered gratification. In other words - my former group was one of those who spoke about $10,000 donations to the church when you go diamond, but not before then.
Drew - "Again just speaking personally, the way I see it if someone got helped I think something very good came out of me helping them. I don't need a ten-fold reward to come back to me just to think it was worth helping someone."
Drew, don't misunderstand me, I agree with you. I'm just pointing out that, at least in my beliefs, it is impossible for one to not be rewarded for charity, and I do not believe it is wrong to accept that fact.
"Drew, don't misunderstand me, I agree with you. I'm just pointing out that, at least in my beliefs, it is impossible for one to not be rewarded for charity, and I do not believe it is wrong to accept that fact."
You are right it is not wrong to accept that you are rewarded for charity. I believe however that it is wrong to only do charity for a reward, and to limit one's idea of a reward to some sort of gain for themselves. Helping someone in a time of need has always been, and always will be, all the reward I need.
If a celebrity, IBO or anybody who gives should do it from his/her heart and that is between them and God. That person don't have to tell anybody how much they gave and whom they gave it to.
ebiz, you hit the nail on the head.
I agree with charity does not have to be spoken out. but think about that, Could you establish a school for being a 9-5 employee? I don't mind people speaking out their dreams, as long as they really want to do it.
A school for 9-5 employees?
Yes, it's called quixtar university!
I read that comment, and I have to believe that it was a parody. Please, someone tell me that was a parody...
I liked a previous, obviously legitimate comment, from DreamGirl who believes that her ulpine has given 'millions' to various charities. I wonder how many of those checks she saw?
Posted by: CK | March 26, 2007 10:19 AM