The evidence is in! Women give to charitable causes more than men at all income levels. Yes, that got my attention. This is amazing given that (while the gap has narrowed) women in general earn less than men and have less money in retirement than men, and yet, have greater life expectancy. The bottom line is that women are giving larger portions of their wealth to charity than ever before. The source on this research is the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University.
How come? Women tend to be more altruistic and empathetic than men. Women are more generous than men in order to accomplish social change or help the economically and socially deprived.
Money for men represents power. It can suggest success, recognition and prestige. Women, however, view money in terms of freedom, security and a step towards a goal. This study also noted that women strongly influence household charitable decision making.
What’s the message? Thank God for women! I plan to listen more intently to the women in my life.
We really only possess what we dare to give away otherwise it possesses us. That text in I Timothy 6 haunts me; “There is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it…. for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”
There is a great difference between seeking godliness for gain and seeking godliness.
Blessings!
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