Customer Reviews

The Giving Myths: Giving Then Getting the Life You've Always Wanted

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I have 30 years of development experience, an MDiv degree, and seven years of stewardship work with parishes. This book is the best book about stewardship that I've read in a couple of decades. Maybe ever. I believe this book could change peoples' lives, and I am recommending it to every church group with whom I meet. At least two congregations are reading the book as part of a larger process of holistic change. Improvements in stewardship results require changes of heart within individuals. New methods of gathering in money and periodic surges in stewardship education may provide a measure of improvement in money and involvement for the church, but permanent change requires church members to view the world and their lives through different lenses. The Giving Myths can help people do just that.

Stephen McSwain makes a compelling case for the beneficial effects of giving rather than receiving. He argues that there is something essentially flawed with the modern-day ethic of material accumulation at all costs.

Very often an obsession with wealth-making leads to a closing off to the warm and generous facets of the human spirit. Riches are not commensurate to happiness.

The author examines whether such statements are true bringing up factual examples to illustrate his arguments. He then goes on to dispel some widely believed myths about the concept of charity.

By using clear and rational arguments, McSwain shows readers how it is not necessarily true that charity should be a private matter. He also explains how we can extend the scope and amount of our charity beyond the tithe system described in the Old Testament. There are helpful hints about overcoming the fear of giving and of finding out how much we can give and in which direction our charity should be channeled.

The final chapter explains the book's central thesis fully - It is in giving that we receive. By freeing ourselves from the shackles and wealth-centered lives, we can finally have the life we want - one that is richer and full of exciting possibilities.

Armchair Interviews says: Helpful way to look at charity and how giving benefits us.

Stephen B. McSwain makes a bold statement - that giving will lead to the life you've always wanted. Although many of us have been raised with the idea that we should be generous, most of us aren't giving nearly as much as we could. This book explores the giving myths many of us believe. Basing his opinions on years of working in church fundraising, McSwain explains why these myths persist, and why they're false beliefs.

Quoting several passages from the Bible, he shows how churches have misinterpreted the words of Jesus and the prophets in order to coerce their congregations into giving more. When guilt tactics fail, the churches turn to encouraging members to become involved to motivate them to generosity. Other topics include the standard of tithing, and equal and fair share giving. And some folks believe they simply can't afford to give.

But once McSwain debunks all of these myths, he reassures us that if we can look past the myths and give generously - to our church or spiritual center, and also to our favorite charities - God will grant us the life we've always wanted. While we may not be showered with material things, we will be given all we need, plus the peace of mind in knowing that we will always be provided for. And isn't that all we really need, anyway?

Reviewer: Alice Berger
Bergers Book Reviews

Thanks to Steve McSwain for this very thought provoking book! I especially enjoyed his personal stories, quotes, scripture references and inspirational stories. As I was reading, I could not keep from reflecting on my own personal motivations, fears and worries. This book came into my life at a really good time for me. Steve McSwain has reminded me to open myself even further to God's will in my life.

This book also helped me to understand that our talents and gifts are just that and are to be shared and given back. Steve McSwain has done an outstanding job of putting into words the importance of giving in our lives. This is an excellent book to be shared and as an office manager of a Catholic Church and the mother of two, I plan to do just that...share this book so that others might also learn how to live the life they have always wanted by giving of themselves and their finances more freely.

After reading this book, you will discover for yourself how much you really are ready to give, and it just might surprise you that it is more than you ever expected. Highly recommended!

Charity can be a very spiritually fulfilling act. "The Giving Myths: Giving Then Getting the Life You've Always Wanted" calls to challenge the typical American Dream of focusing on little outside of the self. Saying many go this path and gain nothing out of their lives but an empty feeling, McSwain promotes the teachings of Jesus, and claims that spreading one's wealth is the ideal way to love oneself. "The Giving Myths" is a fine Christian guide to finding one's true happiness.