Unlocking Holiday Wealth: The True Spirit of Christmas Giving
Last year, I embarked on a life-changing journey to Mexico during President’s Week alongside my oldest daughter. A small group of us had the incredible opportunity to lend our hands and hearts at various orphanages.
During our visit, we met a remarkable man who runs transitional housing for young men on the brink of adulthood. His story struck a chord with me. Growing up in rural Mexico, he ventured to the States as a teenager, made his fair share of questionable decisions, but ultimately turned his life around. He now enjoys a successful career and could easily be living out his golden years on the golf course in sunny Southern California. Yet, he chose to return to his roots to make a difference in his community. Yes, he probably still enjoys a good round of golf, but his life has become a testament to purpose beyond mere leisure and accumulation.
This man’s journey resonates with a core principle we uphold at Johnson Wealth Management: assisting individuals in crafting and leaving a meaningful legacy. Because let’s face it, investing should never be a solitary pursuit.
Wealth-building holds its place in the world, and it’s certainly a good thing. However, when wealth becomes an end in itself, it can lead to a hollow existence. Money, just like life, can vanish in a heartbeat. The reality is, we all leave something behind, even if we never give away a cent during our lifetime.
Every investment and financial plan requires a compelling “why.” It’s easy to get tangled in the specifics of where to invest or how to implement strategies, but it’s the “why” that should be the guiding light in your journey.
So, what drives your wealth?
Too often, the pursuit of wealth is misused as a means of retreating from the world’s struggles. We use it to shield ourselves from the harsh realities of life, but in doing so, we risk becoming less human. Genuine wealth—holistic wealth—calls us to engage with the pressing issues of human suffering, poverty, and brokenness.
My experience in Mexico also reminded me of another truth: when you’re immersed in the needs of others—be it physical, emotional, or financial—you find yourself less preoccupied with the latest outrage on social media, predictions of economic doom, or the endless political melodrama.
Media outlets thrive on our attention, not our wisdom. Many distractions in our fast-paced, dopamine-driven world pull us away from what truly matters—the people and needs right in front of us.
Blaise Pascal, the brilliant 17th-century philosopher, put it perfectly: “Man’s sensitivity to little things and insensitivity to the greatest things are marks of a strange disorder.” It’s time to shift our focus and invest our time, energy, and resources into what genuinely matters.
This holiday season serves as a poignant reminder that giving brings more joy than receiving. True fulfillment lies not in accumulating wealth but in sharing it.
Even renowned investor Warren Buffett echoes this sentiment. In a recent letter to his shareholders, he reflected:
“I am also fortunate that my philanthropic philosophy has been embraced and expanded by both of my wives. Neither Susie Sr. nor Astrid, who succeeded her, believed in dynastic wealth…”
Buffett also highlighted the joy of his early investors, who have recognized the value of saving, living well, and giving back to their communities.
“My kids have spent significantly more time helping others than I have. They appreciate financial comfort but are not consumed by the pursuit of wealth.”
Being obsessed with money can be toxic. It’s essential to uncover how to use the resources you have—both time and money—as powerful tools for good.
“I’m not Warren Buffett,” you might say. That’s okay; few are. The size of your contribution is far less important than the intention behind it.
Jesus illustrated this beautifully when he pointed out the selfless act of a poor widow who gave more than the wealthy: “This poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on” (Luke 21:3-4, NRSV).
You can give a ton and it means nothing.
You can give nearly nothing and it means everything.
Poverty in your bank account doesn’t equate to poverty of the heart.
Let’s be clear: doing great things doesn’t always mean traveling to serve communities in need (though that’s an incredible experience!). It doesn’t have to involve writing massive checks to organizations (but if you can, do!). True greatness often lies in the seemingly small acts of kindness we perform day in and day out. Sometimes, those opportunities are right in your own backyard.
Look around.
Then give.
