The pleasure of giving back to society

By Ken Monyoncho

Many a people avoid going out with family and friends for various reasons, from the particular to the general.

They forget what William Wordsworth highlights in his romantic poem: "The World is too much with us".

The celebrated poet contrasts man’s materialistic mentality and nature in the sonnet.

Creating wealth, yes, is an ultimate dream for all. But, have you ever realised the honourable and pleasure use of money is in enjoying nature and helping others?

Our daily struggle to earn that extra shilling is driven by the quest to pay bills but we end up spending alot on other people.

Post purchase dissonance

For those playing smart with leisure time, they may be avoiding spending unconsciously. Going out with friends more often require that you spend money, only to regret later.

But, experts on personal finance say the earlier you start considering giving back consciously, the more you will enjoy earning your money.

I have had a chance to think severally; that after I have made money, what next?

Creating wealth is not what matters in life. It will not get you anywhere.

Andrew Carnergie, a great philanthropist, saw only three ways a wealthy person could dispose his fortune.

• Firstly, by leaving it to his family,

• Secondly, to bequeath it for public purposes or

• Thirdly, to share it during his lifetime for the benefit of the public.

He observed that bequeathing wealth to his children would be a curse because wealth obtained without sweat often leads to destruction.

In the second option, he found out that heirs to his property would contest any substantial will he left, a common scene among rich families in Kenya today.

The philanthropist opted for the third option. He realised sharing wealth is the only way to protect yourself from poor health.

Despite its potency, wealth can be a spiritual and emotional enemy. It must be understood that although money is important, it is not life. Hoarding it only makes your life small and cold. The balance sheet is not a good measure of progress.

Love And Wealth

The greatest measure of success is, however, the extent with which we love, share wealth and time out. On the basis of the principle of sowing and reaping, it is natural that while generosity feeds the soul, it feeds the pocket book.

I have discovered you receive much more than you give. If you sow a maize or bean seed, for instance, you do not reap a seed but a cob of maize or a pod of beans.

Therefore, what you sow whether money, time, kindness and love, you will reap.

My take: It is important to give not just after you have created wealth but also in the process of getting there.

Donating funds to a children’s home, church, HIV/Aids orphans will never make you regret losing. But, it brings special feelings that overshadow a subtle loss.

Contribution To Society

Since we shall someday pass on, giving away 10 per cent of your income in support of such a venture is in order.

However, what will be written on the plaque of your grave?

I am very sure that the eulogy will not read on how many properties you acquired, businesses you ran or savings you left in the bank.

The most probable epitaph will consider how much you had given away in your lifetime, the orphans you helped, impact you created in the hospices, or how much you contributed to people’s lives. That is what will matter.