'Tis The Season

‘Tis, indeed.

It is the season of giving, and so generosity is on the mind. It’s one of those topics that makes us feel warm and fuzzy around the holidays, but is actually a secret weapon for the wealthy all year long.

Generosity has a way of unlocking a new level in your financial life.

It’s Christmas Day, so I’m going to get a little spiritual on you – Jesus Christ said “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. Note the order: you move your money, and your heart follows. Not the other way around.

“Follow your heart” is a lie.

“Follow the money” is the truth.

That’s the secret of the wealthy… insane amounts of generosity.

The Rockefellers, Fords, and Carnegies were relentless givers (if you’ll excuse the occasional baseball-bat-to-the-kneecap during a union strike).

The Rockefellers of our day–Buffet, Gates, et al–have jumped on the Giving Pledge bandwagon. They’ll give away more than people like you and I could even conceive.

Here are observations from some pretty smart people on generosity:

1. Cal Berkley: The Science of Generosity

2. Princeton University: Doing great deeds, or on the generosity of the rich

3. Notre Dame: It (literally) pays to be generous.

On this Christmas Day, “May the peace of Christ rule in your heart”.