More Blessed to Give Than to Receive: A Model of Lifetime Charitable Giving

Abstract

We integrate theological, financial and social science scholarship to create a model which describes lifetime charitable giving, or the voluntary sharing of financial and other resources over the lifecycle. As background for the model, we review Christian thought on tithing and the spirituality of giving as well as four giving theologies—prosperity, stewardship, mutuality, and simplicity. We offer recommendations on how lifetime giving might be enhanced and how the model might be applied in teaching and research.