Is It Really More Blessed to Give Than to Receive?

'Tis the season to buy gifts and give gifts, and usually this is an exchange. But what about giving without receiving?

In 2014 in the U.S., more than $456 billion was given to charitable organizations, and nearly $40 billion of that was given in December. What do our faith traditions say about giving? Why do we give? If tax exemptions were removed for charitable giving, would you still give? What are the benefits of giving without expecting a gift in return? Where does generosity come from and how can we express it in ways that are not self-serving?