On Using Your Resources to Give Back and Pay It Forward
As noted last time, today we continue our series about Working Your Way into Heaven by Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski. (The series began HERE.) Previous posts about this great book helped us understand the
nature of work. We saw how work was not a punishment doled out to
mankind as a result of Original Sin. Rather it is part of our very
nature to work. As such, we tried to see our work through "God's eyes"
in order to "super-naturalize" even the most mundane tasks we perform
every day. We also learned why we should make the effort to produce surplus to
share with others, beginning with our family, but extending beyond that
if at all possible. As we noted at one point, "In a real sense...we owe a debt to others simply because of the fruits of their labor. No matter that so-and-so's work wasn't intended by him or her to specifically to benefit you. The fact is, it does benefit you and me and everyone else."
Today we'll build a bridge from our previous posts by expanding on the concept of owing a debt to others by considering "giving back" and "paying it forward" (a subject we last discussed HERE). Giving back usually means returning something we've received from others. For example, if you've received a good education from your college, you may want to give back by giving them money, or giving them the benefit of your skills by serving on the Board. On the other hand, paying it forward usually refers to repaying our good fortune to others, rather than the original benefactor. For example, if you've been the recipient of good, loving parenting, you can't really directly return that experience of good parenting to your own parents; but you can become a good loving parent to your own children.
As we saw above, Cardinal Wyszinski taught us that both giving back and paying it forward aren't just an option we might consider when we're feeling generous; rather, it fulfills an obligation. Again, we owe a debt to others simply because of the fruits of their labor. Thus it's not really an option when we choose to extend our generosity by giving back or paying it forward. Even so, our charity is in no way diminished by this reality if we freely give of ourselves or our substance with love. Our obligation to do so may create a duty for us to give back (or pay it forward), but by fulfilling our duty generously, with a loving heart, we can turn that duty into an authentic act of charity.
While money will likely be a primary resource for giving back and paying it forward, it's not our only choice. We can give our time and our talents as well. For those of us with limited resources, this may be our only resource. Fulfilling our obligation to support a family may leave little if any surplus for donating money to individuals, groups and various causes that could use our help. If you're in this spot, consider volunteering your time and talents.
We used the example above of serving on a board as one way to volunteer time and talent. Many organizations that do good work are on the look out for new board members to help oversee their operations and provide counsel and guidance. If a particular board welcomes talent vs. just recruiting those who can give large sums of money, that could be your opportunity to make a significant contribution towards the health and success of the organization. All you need to do is match your specific skills and talents to their needs.
For example, an organization that provides shelter and support to unwed and/or poor pregnant women so they can have their babies rather than opt for abortion might need help organizing their finances and raising funds; or maybe they need a good accountant to straighten out their books and properly file their taxes; or even someone experienced in real estate and facilities to better manage the shelter or shelters they run to house their pregnant clients. Depending on your skills, talents, and experience, this could be a ripe situation for you.
The point here would be that your limited ability to make a big contribution should not prevent you from serving.
Of course, you can bring your time and talents to an organization without being on the board. A classic example might be volunteering your time at a hospital. One family I know takes time at Thanksgiving to serve dinner to the poor and homeless.
Since many if not most of us were required to spend part of our time in high school in some form of "community service," we should all be familiar with the idea an obligation to do good. Now, of course, you need to motivate yourself and take action. No one's going to "force" you to fulfill this duty. If you haven't already done so, consider how you'll fulfill your duty to give back and/or pay it forward.
Next time we'll see the surprisingly happy consequence of fulfilling that duty.
Today we'll build a bridge from our previous posts by expanding on the concept of owing a debt to others by considering "giving back" and "paying it forward" (a subject we last discussed HERE). Giving back usually means returning something we've received from others. For example, if you've received a good education from your college, you may want to give back by giving them money, or giving them the benefit of your skills by serving on the Board. On the other hand, paying it forward usually refers to repaying our good fortune to others, rather than the original benefactor. For example, if you've been the recipient of good, loving parenting, you can't really directly return that experience of good parenting to your own parents; but you can become a good loving parent to your own children.
As we saw above, Cardinal Wyszinski taught us that both giving back and paying it forward aren't just an option we might consider when we're feeling generous; rather, it fulfills an obligation. Again, we owe a debt to others simply because of the fruits of their labor. Thus it's not really an option when we choose to extend our generosity by giving back or paying it forward. Even so, our charity is in no way diminished by this reality if we freely give of ourselves or our substance with love. Our obligation to do so may create a duty for us to give back (or pay it forward), but by fulfilling our duty generously, with a loving heart, we can turn that duty into an authentic act of charity.
While money will likely be a primary resource for giving back and paying it forward, it's not our only choice. We can give our time and our talents as well. For those of us with limited resources, this may be our only resource. Fulfilling our obligation to support a family may leave little if any surplus for donating money to individuals, groups and various causes that could use our help. If you're in this spot, consider volunteering your time and talents.
We used the example above of serving on a board as one way to volunteer time and talent. Many organizations that do good work are on the look out for new board members to help oversee their operations and provide counsel and guidance. If a particular board welcomes talent vs. just recruiting those who can give large sums of money, that could be your opportunity to make a significant contribution towards the health and success of the organization. All you need to do is match your specific skills and talents to their needs.
For example, an organization that provides shelter and support to unwed and/or poor pregnant women so they can have their babies rather than opt for abortion might need help organizing their finances and raising funds; or maybe they need a good accountant to straighten out their books and properly file their taxes; or even someone experienced in real estate and facilities to better manage the shelter or shelters they run to house their pregnant clients. Depending on your skills, talents, and experience, this could be a ripe situation for you.
The point here would be that your limited ability to make a big contribution should not prevent you from serving.
Of course, you can bring your time and talents to an organization without being on the board. A classic example might be volunteering your time at a hospital. One family I know takes time at Thanksgiving to serve dinner to the poor and homeless.
Since many if not most of us were required to spend part of our time in high school in some form of "community service," we should all be familiar with the idea an obligation to do good. Now, of course, you need to motivate yourself and take action. No one's going to "force" you to fulfill this duty. If you haven't already done so, consider how you'll fulfill your duty to give back and/or pay it forward.
Next time we'll see the surprisingly happy consequence of fulfilling that duty.
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