Be a Wise Steward and Cheerful Giver

During my childhood, when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always “Santa Claus.” My reasons were simple: 1) he has a fun job and 2) he spreads joy to children. What’s not to like about that? As funny as that seems now, I think I knew myself pretty well back then. 
 
How is this relevant to my life today? Thankfully, I’m now at a place where my greatest joy comes from cheerfully giving to causes that help kids. It may not be in the same league as Santa, but I get a little taste of it just the same.
 
Each of us has three things to offer the world: our time, talent, and treasure. In business lingo, these represent our assets. Like a business, we need to be good managers of our assets in order to maximize their value and impact.
 
Take a moment now and reflect on your assets—in each of the above categories. In order for your life be one of significance and impact, you’ll need to be a good steward of your assets. This means being:
 

1. An excellent manager and generous giver of your time
2. A person committed to developing your talents
3. A wise manager of your financial resources

 
Anyone who does these well is halfway toward becoming a person of significance. Why only halfway, you ask? To cross the finish line, you need one more attribute—the heart of a cheerful giver. That means proactively seeking opportunities to demonstrate generosity. Oh, the joy that comes in return.
 
If you commit to becoming a good steward of your assets and a cheerful giver to benefit others, you’ll be well on your way to a life brimming with impact! Maybe not quite in Santa’s league, but pretty darn close.
 

Take a few moments to list your assets (time, talent, and treasure). Which of these do you actively use to help the world around you? Share your thoughts with our online community of parents, educators, and youth organizations by commenting below!

 
 
 

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Tagged as: life skills, giving, values, priorities, goals