Huckleberries Online

Generosity

Posted by Cindy

May 22, 2009 11:28 a.m. • 16 comments

This headline caught my eye: “Poor are most generous givers” http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/may/22/poor-are-most-generous-givers/

The story states:

“In fact, America’s poor donate more, in percentage terms, than higher-income groups do, surveys of charitable giving show. What’s more, their generosity declines less in hard times than the generosity of richer givers does.”

Why is this? Is it the empathy factor, or is it the more “stuff” we have the less we want to share?

16 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

scootermom on May 22 at 12:01 p.m.
I suspect the less affluent are bigger givers because they know what it’s like to do without, and know that it doesn’t take much to help others. And they know how much it means to those on the receiving end.

When you’re poor, you don’t tend to see the world as “us vs. them,” its more “we’re all in this together.”
Collingwood on May 22 at 12:54 p.m.
As a relatively poor journalist, I know this story all too well. Growing up, watching my father put out a helping hand to the less fortunate set a standard of sorts. He grew up in poverty before working hard and establishing himself, knowing what it’s like to be in a financial bind.

“The love you take is equal to the love you make.” The Beatles
misc on May 22 at 2:14 p.m.
I think the poor ‘get it’ better than the well-off, who tend to be too insulated by their wealth.
OfCoffee on May 22 at 2:46 p.m.
Funny, but I just read an article a couple of weeks ago that said just the opposite. I think the thing we need to remember is that economic status is not the indicator nor cause of generosity. It is what is in the person’s heart, not checkbook.
toadman on May 22 at 3:06 p.m.
It’s the same reason I always tip over 15% at a restaurant regardless of the kind of service I get. Because I’ve been there, and I know it sucks.

As for the wealthy, I think it boils down to how one perceives one’s wealth. If one’s perception is “I’ve worked, hard, I deserve the things I’ve gotten,” then no matter how much truth there is in that statement, I’d suspect that they’d give a smaller percentage of their wealth than the wealthy person who says of their wealth “we are blessed.” It seems like a subtle difference at first glance, however, one engenders an attitude of entitlement, the other, of thankfulness.

If money is the root of all evil, entitlement is the soil and the fertilizer.

I’ve known many wealthy people who were extremely generous, some, even generous to us, even though they hardly even know us…and, to be sure, that person exhibits an attitude of thankfulness, over entitlement. I’ve known others who were less generous, some, to the point of greedy, stingy, and indeed mean spirited toward the less fortunate.

Attitude and mindset are the key to kindness and forbearance.
marmitetoasty on May 22 at 3:09 p.m.
I have an extremely rich sister……… and she is ‘as tight as a ducks arse under water’

x
vitalyb on May 22 at 3:12 p.m.
Unfortunately, this is the sad truth.

Interesting, reminds me of the widow who gave her last away compared to the rich who gave only what they wouldn’t miss (Mark 12:41-44).
Sisyphus on May 22 at 3:22 p.m.
You’re a Windsor aren’t you Marmie?
marmitetoasty on May 22 at 3:24 p.m.
LMAO@Sisy….. dam and bugger, me secret is out ;)

x
marmitetoasty on May 22 at 3:26 p.m.
If I was truely a Windsor I would of said ‘as tight as a swan’s arse under water’ ;)

Oh my, and now the butler is waiting to serve me a nightcap….

x
marmitetoasty on May 22 at 3:33 p.m.
I also have a friend who is richer then the richest person I know….. she aint got tuppence to rub together though, yet she is rich in the time and friendship that she gives away freely…..

x
toadman on May 22 at 3:44 p.m.
Marmie is definitely a Lady, if not of “stature,” of reputation.

;-)
Sisyphus on May 22 at 3:54 p.m.
Well don’t stay up too late. Those castles are drafty at night. You can always try and acquire wealth by producing some diamonds by having your sister eat coal.
marmitetoasty on May 22 at 4:11 p.m.
Taint cold at night in me castle….. thats what real 4 poster beds are for :)….. thick heavy velvet drapes pulled around….

I dont need weath to make me rich……… just me lads, me sanity and me maties……..

x
marmitetoasty on May 22 at 4:13 p.m.
fanks Toadie :)………. a lady of ill repute LOL….. or a lady of the night - or even a bag lady :)

x
toadman on May 22 at 4:33 p.m.
…oy, maybe a ‘armless crimpol, aye?

But that doesn’t matter.. it doesn’t matter at all. You’ll always be a Lady to us. Long live Lady Marmie!

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D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.