Where does ‘giving’ fit into your life?

How do you feel when you receive a gift? What about when you give a gift? Is it a momentary feeling or a lasting one? Now think about how you feel when you give a donation to an organization you believe in.

Where does giving fit into your life? What is your role as a parent in teaching the importance of giving? What is your responsibility, within your family and as part of your community, to play a larger role  – to be a role model and to take a stand on issues that speak to you by volunteering or by making a monetary impact, be it large or small?

It is never too early to contemplate these questions.

Charity has its roots in the Bible. We are all commanded to give a minimum of one-tenth of our income to charity – “Honor God with your wealth, and with the first fruits of all your produce” (Proverbs 3:9).

There are so many opportunities to nurture a “giving mentality” and offer needed support. It often hits us in the face when we find ourselves, or someone we know, in a health situation. Our eyes are opened wide when a loved one’s health is in jeopardy because a cure has not yet been discovered. It is typical to jump into action at these times by helping, volunteering and/or donating. Feeling passionate about where you choose to give can be your first step toward building a giving habit.

Numerous studies have found that contributing toward something meaningful increases your sense of well-being and builds stronger social connections, producing a greater sense of satisfaction and instilling gratitude. This can then cause a ripple effect in others and even increase giving amounts.

Regardless of the impetus, we all have something to offer. Consider making giving a priority in your life. After all, why not do good and feel good at the same time?

Sara Ades Goodwin is the director of major gifts at Jewish Family Service of Rhode Island. She can be reached at sara@jfsri.org.