Recently I was given a book that has made a significant impact on my view of giving and charity. Actually, it turned my entire concept of giving, charity and philanthropy upside down. The book was written by best-selling author and self-development guru Joe Vitale.

The premise of this book is that people who give freely without expectation of return will experience prosperity from unrelated sources. Things will show up out of the blue, people will help you in ways you never imagined, etc. By starting the cycle of giving freely it will come full circle by benefitting you. If you give only to receive you have defeated the purpose and you will most likely see nothing in return.

Many of us grew up going to church and putting money in the offering tray. It felt like an obligation, you would be ashamed if you didn’t contribute. We really didn’t know what we were contributing to. We just knew that it was what you had to do to be a good person. The money was given as an obligation and not given freely with joy. In fact, if the offering was done in secret, I’m guessing a majority of the people wouldn’t contribute because it didn’t make them joyful.

I’m not condemning contributing to churches. I know how beneficial houses of worship are to society. I’m just suggesting churches would be much more successful if the parishioners were more connected to how the money was used and didn’t feel as if they “had” to contribute, but instead “wanted” to contribute. When people know how they are helping, and when they give with a warm and joyful heart, they feel joy and happiness themselves. This is a critical aspect of Joe Vitale’s book.

As I grew up I realized how critical it was to contribute to charities because in many cases these charities were providing help to people who had no other resources. Giving to them felt good. I knew where the money was going and how people were being helped. And when I gave to charities with a good feeling in my heart, I usually experienced something good happening to me. This was also the case when I helped out people who were in a tight spot. In both cases I expected nothing in return, yet I always seemed to be the recipient of something good from a completely unrelated source.

It wasn’t until I read Joe Vitale’s book that I put two and two together. That is when I finally realized that my giving freely, with an open heart and with no expectation of return was causing those good things to happen to me. Wow, that was quite a realization.

Vitale provides real stories from real people of how they freely gave without expecting anything in return and how they benefited in unexpected ways. He also talks about some of the great philanthropists of history and how their giving increased their net worth substantially.

As an example, John D. Rockefeller began giving money away as a child. As his income grew the amount of money he gave away grew. By the time of his death he had given away $550 million. PT Barnum was another example. He coined the term “profitable philanthropy.” He knew that giving would lead to him receiving, and he become one of the world’s richest men.

At first when I was reading, I felt a little uncomfortable because it seemed these people were focusing on how they were benefitting. It seemed a little selfish. Then I started thinking about it; they were able to continue to give and to increase their giving because they were receiving. I realized there is nothing wrong with receiving as long as you do it with gratitude and continue to give and help others.

I strongly recommend anyone questioning giving and charity read this book. It will not only change your life but the lives of countless others in need. Additionally, by living by this example you will inspire others to do the same. You will be expanding the circle of prosperity to people throughout the world.

By the way, the name of the book is “The Greatest Money Making Secret in History.”

I feel so strongly about the power of giving and receiving I am giving this book away to anyone interested. Go to www.powerimage.com/giving to request your copy.