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The Power of Generosity
An intimate journey down the road of giving. Will strike a chord with all who want to fulfill a vital part of their humanity - the need to give.
164 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 6, 2014
The Power of Generosity is an excellent book. Dave Toycen has led World Vision Canada and been involved in humanitarian work for a long time, as a result this book has a rich vein of personal testimony, powerful stories and insightful reflection on generosity.
Some books the stories are unoriginal and the connections trite and cliched but not here. Sometimes the stories outweigh the reflection to an extent that the point is not sufficiently made but the criticism is minor compared to the many strengths.
Toycen examines what generosity is, who is generous, the power of it, the difference it makes, how it related to money and of course how to be generous! It is also littered with great quotes and pithy, powerful statements such as:
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give" (Norman MacEwan)
"Generosity has the power to leave a legacy of goodwill"
"For the truly generous person, the only option is to look for opportunities to turn a devastating experience into a healing one."
"Generosity pays dividends"
I am convinced that Toycen is right when he says generosity is a 'neglected virtue' and that unlocking the power of generosity is only way to discover simplicity of life, faith and heart. Some are burdened by the need for simplicity because of environmental fears, guilt about social injustice or as a prophetic statement. I'm not sure I could buy into any of that, I want to live simply because I live generously. My aim then perhaps isn't greater simplicity but greater generosity. The more I love the opportunity to give, the more I find reward in the risks that come with it, the more likely that those things will take priority over satisfying my own wants. Simplicity may arrive as I travel the road of generosity.
I'm grateful for this book's encouragement on that road.
Some books the stories are unoriginal and the connections trite and cliched but not here. Sometimes the stories outweigh the reflection to an extent that the point is not sufficiently made but the criticism is minor compared to the many strengths.
Toycen examines what generosity is, who is generous, the power of it, the difference it makes, how it related to money and of course how to be generous! It is also littered with great quotes and pithy, powerful statements such as:
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give" (Norman MacEwan)
"Generosity has the power to leave a legacy of goodwill"
"For the truly generous person, the only option is to look for opportunities to turn a devastating experience into a healing one."
"Generosity pays dividends"
I am convinced that Toycen is right when he says generosity is a 'neglected virtue' and that unlocking the power of generosity is only way to discover simplicity of life, faith and heart. Some are burdened by the need for simplicity because of environmental fears, guilt about social injustice or as a prophetic statement. I'm not sure I could buy into any of that, I want to live simply because I live generously. My aim then perhaps isn't greater simplicity but greater generosity. The more I love the opportunity to give, the more I find reward in the risks that come with it, the more likely that those things will take priority over satisfying my own wants. Simplicity may arrive as I travel the road of generosity.
I'm grateful for this book's encouragement on that road.
July 5, 2013
After hearing Dave Toycen speak at the Inspire Justice conference in Cambridge, I picked this book up. I enjoyed it. It strings together many thought provoking and inspiring stories of generosity, and to my surprise, forgiveness. (It makes one sit back and ponder the connections between generosity and forgiveness) Thank you Dave for sharing these stories with us, and for all you do.
July 15, 2008
hope in the midst of living on this cracked ball....
learning how to live "open-handedly."
learning how to live "open-handedly."
March 5, 2013
good book, kind of like chicken soup ...
January 8, 2013
I am always a fan of anything that encourages generosity as a lifestyle!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews