ST. CROIX INSIGHTS
Tracking Generosity: Why We Should Measure What We Give Away
Many of us regularly track our net worth, watching as it fluctuates with market swings, investment gains, and spending habits. Some check it monthly, others quarterly, and a few even keep an eye on it daily. But here’s a thought—why don’t we put the same emphasis on tracking our generosity?
We Measure What Matters
There’s an old saying: “What gets measured gets managed.” If we’re diligent about growing our financial assets, shouldn’t we be just as intentional about tracking how much we give?
We set financial goals for savings, investments, and retirement, but do we set goals for generosity? Imagine if, just like we strive to increase our net worth by a certain percentage each year, we also aimed to increase our giving by the same margin.
Many of us give freely—to our churches, charities, causes we care about, and people in need—and this is honorable and worth appreciating. However, without tracking it, it’s easy to lose sight of just how impactful our generosity is—or could be.
The True Measure of Wealth
We often think of wealth in terms of accumulation, but real wealth is also about contribution. Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Money is a tool. It can be hoarded, or it can be used to bless others and create lasting impact. When we pass from this life, we won’t be remembered for how much we amassed—but we will be remembered for how much we gave.
The Practical Side: How to Track Generosity
If you’ve never thought about measuring your giving, here are a few simple ways to start:
- Create a Giving Log: Just like you track expenses or investments, keep a record of your giving. This can be a simple spreadsheet or an app that helps you track charitable contributions.
- Set a Giving Goal: Challenge yourself to give a certain percentage of your income each year, and review your progress just as you would your financial goals.
- Celebrate the Impact: Instead of focusing just on the dollar amount, look at the lives changed through your generosity. If you support a mission, nonprofit, or scholarship fund, keep a record of the real-world difference your giving is making.
- Teach Generosity: If you have children, include them in conversations about giving. Show them that money isn’t just for keeping—it’s for sharing.
- Give with Intention: Rather than giving reactively (only when prompted), plan out your generosity in advance so it’s a built-in priority, not an afterthought.
A Shift in Perspective
Imagine checking in on how much you’ve given just as often as you check your financial portfolio. How would that change your perspective on wealth?
Would you be more inspired to give more freely? Would you feel a greater sense of fulfillment knowing that your wealth isn’t just growing—but that you’re actively making a difference?
True financial freedom isn’t just about reaching a number—it’s about having enough to live and enough to give. So as you track your net worth, take a moment to track your generosity as well. You may find that what you’ve given away brings far greater joy than anything you’ve stored up—and it doesn’t hurt come tax time either!
Many of us regularly track our net worth, watching as it fluctuates with market swings, investment gains, and spending habits. Some check it monthly, others quarterly, and a few even keep an eye on it daily. But here’s a thought—why don’t we put the same emphasis on tracking our generosity?
We Measure What Matters
There’s an old saying: “What gets measured gets managed.” If we’re diligent about growing our financial assets, shouldn’t we be just as intentional about tracking how much we give?
We set financial goals for savings, investments, and retirement, but do we set goals for generosity? Imagine if, just like we strive to increase our net worth by a certain percentage each year, we also aimed to increase our giving by the same margin.
Many of us give freely—to our churches, charities, causes we care about, and people in need—and this is honorable and worth appreciating. However, without tracking it, it’s easy to lose sight of just how impactful our generosity is—or could be.
The True Measure of Wealth
We often think of wealth in terms of accumulation, but real wealth is also about contribution. Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Money is a tool. It can be hoarded, or it can be used to bless others and create lasting impact. When we pass from this life, we won’t be remembered for how much we amassed—but we will be remembered for how much we gave.
The Practical Side: How to Track Generosity
If you’ve never thought about measuring your giving, here are a few simple ways to start:
- Create a Giving Log: Just like you track expenses or investments, keep a record of your giving. This can be a simple spreadsheet or an app that helps you track charitable contributions.
- Set a Giving Goal: Challenge yourself to give a certain percentage of your income each year, and review your progress just as you would your financial goals.
- Celebrate the Impact: Instead of focusing just on the dollar amount, look at the lives changed through your generosity. If you support a mission, nonprofit, or scholarship fund, keep a record of the real-world difference your giving is making.
- Teach Generosity: If you have children, include them in conversations about giving. Show them that money isn’t just for keeping—it’s for sharing.
- Give with Intention: Rather than giving reactively (only when prompted), plan out your generosity in advance so it’s a built-in priority, not an afterthought.
A Shift in Perspective
Imagine checking in on how much you’ve given just as often as you check your financial portfolio. How would that change your perspective on wealth?
Would you be more inspired to give more freely? Would you feel a greater sense of fulfillment knowing that your wealth isn’t just growing—but that you’re actively making a difference?
True financial freedom isn’t just about reaching a number—it’s about having enough to live and enough to give. So as you track your net worth, take a moment to track your generosity as well. You may find that what you’ve given away brings far greater joy than anything you’ve stored up—and it doesn’t hurt come tax time either!