The Giving Secret: Why Generosity is Your Best Wealth Strategy
Mar 28, 2026by S.N. Perkins
I know what you’re thinking. You opened this blog post because you’re looking for the secret sauce to building wealth. You want the portfolio tips, the interest rate hacks, and the "how-to-live-like-a-king-on-a-ramen-budget" advice. And here I am from Chazon Strategies, telling you that the best way to get ahead is to… give your money away?
No, the coffee machine in our office isn’t broken. I’m fully caffeinated and completely serious.
If you’ve been following our Financial Literacy pillar, you know we’re all about managing your life like a high-level business. But even the best CFOs know that a business that only hoards cash eventually stagnates. In the kingdom of wealth—both the biblical kind and the "I want to retire before I’m 80" kind—generosity is actually a power move.
Let’s get into why being a giver is one of the smartest wealth strategies you can use (yes, for real).
The Scarcity Trap vs. The Abundance Mindset
Most people approach their bank accounts with a "white-knuckle" grip. They’re terrified that if they let go of a single dollar, it’s gone forever and they’ll be left destitute, living in a cardboard box (which, in this housing market, would still be overpriced). This is called a scarcity mindset.
When you live in scarcity, you make bad financial decisions. You’re more likely to panic-sell your investments when the market dips. You’re more likely to hoard things you don't need. You’re more likely to feel constant, low-grade anxiety every time you swipe your card for groceries.
Generosity is the ultimate "reset" button for that anxiety. When you give, whether it’s a tithe to your church, a donation to a local non-profit, or just buying lunch for a friend who's struggling, you’re telling your brain, "Hey, look at us. We have enough to share. We aren't in survival mode."
This shift to an abundance mindset is a game changer. It calms your "fight or flight" response to money. When you aren't terrified of losing every penny, you can think more clearly, invest more boldly, and spot opportunities that the "hoarders" miss because they’re too busy staring at their savings account balance.
The Biblical Blueprint: Giving to Grow
At Chazon Strategies, we believe that wealth isn't just about numbers; it's about stewardship. If you look at biblical giving and wealth, the concept of the tithe (the first 10% of your income) isn't meant to be a "tax" from God. It’s a spiritual discipline designed to keep your heart in the right place.
The Bible suggests that when you put God first in your finances, everything else falls into line. Malachi 3:10 actually dares us to test this theory. It’s basically the only time the Big Guy says, "Go ahead, try me."
But even if you aren't the religious type, the principle of "first fruits" works. When you automate your giving so it happens before you spend on yourself, you force yourself to live on the remaining 90%. This naturally creates a budget. It builds discipline. And oddly enough, people who tithe or give consistently often find that their 90% goes further than their 100% ever did. Why? Because they’ve become masters of their money rather than its slaves.
Science Backs the "Giver’s Gain"
If the spiritual side feels a bit "woo-woo" for you, let’s look at the hard data. Research actually shows that generous people earn more money over time.
A massive study across the US, UK, and Europe found that individuals who gave their time or money to others saw their incomes increase more rapidly than those who didn't. Why? It’s not just "karma": it’s social capital.
Generous people build stronger networks. They are the ones people want to work with, hire, and refer business to. When you’re known as someone who contributes rather than someone who just consumes, doors start opening. You aren't just building a bank account; you’re building a reputation. In the world of wealth, your reputation is often your most valuable asset.
Tax Strategies: Giving Like a Pro
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty for a second. We’re talkin’ Financial Literacy, right? Generosity isn't just good for the soul; it’s great for the tax return.
If you’re just throwing a few bucks into a jar, you’re missing out on the "Professional CFO" way of giving. Strategic generosity can significantly lower your taxable income. Here are a few ways the pros do it:
- Donating Appreciated Securities: If you have stocks that have gone up in value, don't sell them and pay capital gains tax. Donate them directly to a charity. You get the deduction for the full value, and you never have to pay the tax on the gain.
- Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs): Think of this as a savings account for your giving. You put money in, get an immediate tax deduction, and then choose which charities to send it to later. It’s a great way to "bunch" your deductions in a high-income year.
- Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): For the older crowd (or if you’re planning for your future self), you can give directly from your IRA, which counts toward your required minimum distribution without adding to your taxable income.
When you treat your giving as a line item in your "Life Business" budget, you’re maximizing every dollar. You’re doing good and being smart. That’s the Chazon way.
Breaking the Power of "More"
The biggest threat to your wealth isn't a market crash: it’s the "never-enough" trap. We live in a world that constantly tells us we need a bigger house, a faster car, and a closet full of clothes we’ll wear once.
If you don't have a strategy for generosity, your lifestyle will naturally expand to swallow up every raise, bonus, and side-hustle profit you ever make. This is called lifestyle creep, and it’s the #1 killer of generational wealth.
Generosity acts as a circuit breaker. It forces you to say, "I have enough." It defines the "finish line" for your personal consumption. When you decide that a certain percentage of your wealth is for others, it puts a cap on your greed. And once you cap your greed, your wealth can actually start to grow because you aren't spending it all on stuff that loses value the moment you buy it.
Building a Legacy, Not Just a Balance Sheet
At Chazon Strategies, we often talk about being the "Personal CFO" of your own life. A CFO’s job isn't just to make the company rich; it’s to ensure the company’s mission is funded.
What is the mission of your life? Is it just to die with the biggest pile of toys? Or is it to leave a legacy that outlasts you?
Generosity is how you practice for legacy. It’s how you teach your children that money is a tool, not a god. When your kids see you giving intentionally, you’re giving them a financial education that no textbook can provide. You’re teaching them stewardship, empathy, and the true power of wealth.
The Challenge
Here’s your homework, Chazon crew. Pull up your "Personal CFO" report for last month. How much went to "Me, Myself, and I"? And how much went to "The Mission"?
If you’re at 0% for giving, start small. Even 1% or 2% can start to break that scarcity mindset. If you’re already tithing, look at how you can do it more strategically. Can you donate stock? Can you set up a DAF?
Remember: you can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead. Generosity isn’t a loss—it’s one of the best investments you’ll ever make.
Stay wealthy, stay generous, and let’s build that legacy together.
Want to learn more about how to integrate giving into your overall financial plan? That’s what we do here at Chazon Strategies. Check out our Personal CFO services to see how we can help you align your money with your mission.
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