Late one evening, after hours of combing through Quicken and wrestling with the numbers, I found myself sitting at my computer—overwhelmed, exhausted, and defeated. The financial strain of medical school loomed over me like a dark cloud.
No matter how carefully I budgeted, the truth was unavoidable: our monthly loan stipend fell far short of what our family of four needed to get by. That particular month, we were hit with an unexpected car repair bill, and I had no idea how we were going to make it work. I stared at the screen, the weight of uncertainty pressing on me, and finally stepped away. I prayed, asking for clarity and a solution, and went to bed still unsure how we’d make it through.
The next day, just around noon, a letter arrived in the mail. Inside was a check for $50—the exact amount we needed to cover our expenses for the month. It was accompanied by a note from a dear family member that read, “We’ve been thinking about you and thought this might help.”
I sat there, stunned. Relief washed over me, along with a profound sense of gratitude—not just for the financial help, but for the reminder that abundance is not always about having more than enough. Sometimes, it’s about receiving exactly what you need, exactly when you need it.
What Does It Mean to Live with Abundance?
In our culture, abundance is often associated with excess—overflowing bank accounts, dream vacations, and a life free of worry about bills or obligations. But true abundance is much deeper than material wealth. It’s a mindset and a heart posture, rooted in gratitude, trust, and faith that our needs will be met.
That unexpected $50 check wasn’t just money—it was a reminder that we weren’t alone in our struggles. It was a small, tangible manifestation of abundance, wrapped in love and generosity. It reminded me that abundance often comes in ways we don’t expect, through people, moments, and opportunities that touch our lives when we need them most.
Those medical school years were filled with desperate days, financial strain and uncertainty, yet they taught me profound lessons about kindness and giving. It was during this time that I began studying the lives of generous people and made a personal commitment to become more generous myself.
A Life of Extraordinary Generosity
Of the more than 1,200 billionaires in the world, Jon Huntsman Sr. is one of only 19 who has given away more than $1 billion. Together with his wife, Karen, he has been recognized as the second-largest American donor by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Their generosity has funded the renowned Huntsman Cancer Institute, a leading research center dedicated to eradicating cancer, among many other initiatives.
But Huntsman’s generosity didn’t start after he became wealthy.
Huntsman grew up in rural Idaho with an abusive father and scarce resources. Despite their circumstances, his family practiced giving—even when they had little. In 1960, as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, Huntsman gave $50 from his $320 monthly paycheck to help veteran families. This was on top of $32 he gave in tithing to his church each month—totaling 25% of his income. Long before he acquired his fortune, Huntsman cultivated the habit of giving.
This foundational value of generosity shaped his life. As his success grew, giving became second nature. Huntsman once stated that he intends to “die broke” by donating his entire fortune to charity. His example reminds us that generosity isn’t about wealth—it’s about character. Generosity is not an event; it’s a way of life.
Five Principles of Generosity
As I’ve studied the lives of generous people like Huntsman, I’ve noticed common principles that guide their actions. These five practices can help anyone cultivate a spirit of generosity.
1. Be Willing
Give before you think you have enough. Stretch yourself to give more than feels comfortable. C.S. Lewis wisely noted, “If our charities don’t pinch us, they are not enough.” Generosity isn’t about waiting for the perfect circumstances; it’s about being willing to give now.
2. Be Consistent
While giving during the holidays is wonderful, it’s not enough to change your heart or your habits. Lasting joy comes from making generosity a consistent practice. The real test of generosity happens when there are no bell-ringers outside stores or giving trees in office lobbies. Make generosity a way of life, not a one-time gesture.
3. Be Spontaneous
Some acts of generosity require planning—like funding a cancer institute—but many don’t. In 1992, on his way to the hospital for prostate cancer treatment, Huntsman made three stops: a homeless shelter, a soup kitchen, and a clinic that discovered his disease. He left checks totaling $2.5 million. Generosity often happens in spontaneous moments: offering your time, lending a hand, or even letting someone merge ahead of you in traffic.
To enable spontaneous giving, build it into your life. One woman I know carries bus tokens in her pocket to give to homeless individuals. Others keep gift cards or small cash on hand for moments of need. Being prepared makes it easier to act generously in the moment.
4. Be Aware
Generosity starts with awareness. Are we too absorbed in our phones to notice the single mother struggling to pay for groceries in front of us? Do we see the elderly couple at a restaurant who might appreciate an unexpected treat? To give, we must first look up and notice the needs around us.
5. Be Available
In 1973, Princeton researchers conducted a study with seminary students who were tasked with delivering a talk, some on the parable of the Good Samaritan. On their way, they passed a man in distress. The deciding factor in whether they stopped to help wasn’t the topic of their talk—it was time. Only 10% of those told they were running late stopped, compared to 63% of those who felt they had time.
Busyness is one of the greatest barriers to generosity. To develop a spirit of giving, we must slow down and make space in our lives to help others.
As you embrace these principles of generosity, you’ll discover that giving transforms both the giver and the receiver. Your life will overflow with greater abundance, joy, and meaning. As Winston Churchill famously said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
So, what’s one way you can commit to generous living today?
