If You’re Going to Share Your Success, Then Please Stop Scandalzing It

Acts of philanthropy are much better when performed by people who actually embrace their assets and achievements with a clear conscience and a celebratory disposition towards wealth.

I’m all for the notion of helping out and leveraging your success for the good of others, but you’re far more likely to be good at this if you’re driven by something greater than a sense of guilt towards your own success.

If you have an obligation to share your wealth, then you also have an obligation to treat the wealth you’re sharing as if it’s actually a good thing. After all, if you believe that wealth is evil, then why would you want to heap any of that evil upon someone else?

If you truly want to help people become successful, then help yourself become the kind of person who’s genuinely excited about success. When you treat success as if it’s something you need to apologize for, you misrepresent the spirit of goodwill and you teach others to be ashamed of the very thing you’re trying to help them achieve

It’s not enough to be the example of a good giver. You also need to be the example of a good receiver.

Generous givers don’t share their resources because it’s scandalous to have good things. They share their resources because it’s beautiful for others to have good things too.

If you truly believe that your own success is scandalous, then you shouldn’t ruin the name of charity by hiding behind the specter of philanthropic work. You should own your wrongdoing and do your best to make the situation right without putting on the facade that you’re doing someone a favor.

If you can’t celebrate the surplus in your life, then go clear your conscience and come back to charity when you’re ready to practice it cheerfully.

If you’re going to be a giver, then it’s important not to despise your own gifts.

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TK Coleman is the Education Director for Praxis. He has coached dozens of young people and top performers from all stages of life. He’s the author of hundreds of articles and is a frequent speaker on education, entrepreneurship, freedom, personal growth, and creativity. TK is a relentless learner, has been involved in numerous startups, and has professional experience ranging from the entertainment to financial services industries and academia. Above all else, TK is on a mission to help people embrace their own power and expand their own possibilities.