Did you know that seeing money donated to a good cause or deciding to donate money activates the same pleasure centers in the brain that light up when you receive money? – See 15 JUN 2007 Science and NHI article.
Philanthropy, or the giving to the greater human good to improve the wellbeing of others, is an important part of financial stewardship. It reflects the believe that we are all connected, and that the sharing of ourselves to help another also helps us; as well as the group as a whole.
There are many good charities, groups, and causes to give to. Who you give to and how much is a deeply personal decision and is up to you.
For the rest of this post I would like to encourage members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to pay tithing.
“The Bible indicates that God’s people followed the law of tithing anciently. Through modern prophets, God restored this law to bless His children. To fulfill this commandment, Church members give one-tenth of their income to the Lord through His Church. These funds are used to build up the Church and further the work of the Lord throughout the world.” – Gospel Topics, Tithing
“The men and the women who have been absolutely honest with God, who have paid their tithing,. . . God has given them wisdom whereby they have been able to utilize the remaining nine-tenths, and it has been of greater value to them, and they have accomplished more with it than they would if they had not been honest with the Lord” – President Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, Apr. 1912
Be Prepared Seattle 