I Like Giving by Brad Formsma

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Book Description:

When you choose to live a generous life, you start to change and so does the world around you. Something incredible happens when giving becomes your own idea, not something you do out of duty or obligation.

When you move from awareness to action, miracles happen. As you make giving a lifestyle, you’ll realize you’re not only loving life more, you’re also creating a more generous world— a better world for all of us.

Rich with inspiring stories and practical suggestions, I Like Giving helps you create a lifestyle of generosity. Inside you’ll find:
• Giving—something you get to do, not something you’ve got to do.
• How to raise kids with a sensitivity to others’ needs.
• You don’t have to be a millionaire to make a difference.
• Practical ideas for giving to people around you every day.

I Like Giving is about experiencing the joy of giving. We all have something to give. Giving goes way beyond money or things. It can be a listening ear, a touch, or simply the gift of time. Giving is living.

Review:

I received this book from Blogging for books for free for an unbiased review.

I, always, aim for a just review. I try to take into account a lot of different things; from the audience it is intended for, compare it to other books like it, my personal opinion does have some weight but not as much as one would think. (Or at least I am trying harder ever review I write for this to be the case) I tell you this because I was completely thrown off by this book. I accumulate a lot of information about the author and the book before I even start to read it. Nowhere was there any mention of any religious connotation whatsoever. I am not against religious books or anything written with a religious undertone to it. But I would like a fair warning. This book is not at all publicized as being a religious piece. This can be a problem for many people who pick up this book as a way to better their lives, who don’t want to religious sermon.

This book is advertised as a way to change people’s lives for the better. Helping others with your generosity, ideas on how to do this was a great idea. This book ended up being stories of inspiration with religious undertones. I also had a huge battle throughout this book dealing with the extent of giving. The author goes to say “we also know this type of life is available to anyone, no matter who you are, where you live, or how much money you have.” And then goes to say “you have to be willing to go on a journey that will be scary and uncomfortable at times….” Which I think frightens the readers into wondering which direction to go.  This book walks a fine line between giving to others in need and “giving the shirt of your back”. I am all for giving what I can when I can but I am not apt to put myself or my family into a position that leaves my family high and dry. I am not like the author willing to sell my business to work for a non-profit organization and wonder if I am going to have to sell my house. I am more apt to make hats and scarfs for homeless or less fortunate people than myself. Or even pay for a dinner for someone who needs one.

                I was hoping for a book with “practical ideas and inspirational stories” like the cover said. I didn’t find much of these stories as practical. Though practical is a relative term, what is practical for someone with extra money and what is practical for someone just scraping by is another thing entirely.