We Make a Life by What We Give

According to an old saying, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." In 22 brief and insightful essays, Richard B. Gunderman shows us that the key to more rewarding giving can be found by looking beyond mere donations of money. Exploring the ethical core of sharing and examining its importance for both those who receive and those who give, here is a book to deepen our understanding of what it means to share.

"... provides a rich understanding of humanity and how we must live in community." --Kirby Hughes Gould, Christian Church Foundation, GIVING Magazine, 2010

"Gunderman is as important a humanistic voice in the discussion of philanthropy as I know of. He writes like an angel; he works out of a rich Aristotelian tradition; his views are balanced, clear, and persuasive." --David H. Smith, author of Entrusted Indiana University Press Indiana University Press

"Short, sweet, and a pleasure to read, [this book] reminds us that we are capable of contributing much more when we see ourselves in the company of those who depend on us to make the most of what we have been given." --

"Some books enlighten us, some books inspire us, and some books challenge us to expand our understanding of who we are and who we can become. [This book] does all three.... It simply surpasses all other books in the field, but more importantly, it expands our understanding of the field of philanthropy and of ourselves and our potential." --Heather Wood Ion, Contributing Editor, Conversations on Philanthropy

According to an old saying, We make a living by what we get, but we makea life by what we give. In 22 brief and insightful essays, Richard B. Gundermanshows us that the key to more rewarding giving can be found by looking beyond meredonations of money. Exploring the ethical core of sharing and examining itsimportance for both those who receive and those who give, here is a book to deepenour understanding of what it means to share.

How generosity builds full lives and communities

Richard B. Gunderman is Vice Chairman, Radiology and Professor of Radiology, Pediatrics, Medical Education, Philosophy, Liberal Arts, and Philanthropy at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

Preface

Acknowledgments

1. Imagining Philanthropy

2. The Golden Rule

3. Four Gifts

4. The Potential to Share

5. The Good Samaritan

6. Egoism, Altruism, and Service

7. Doing Well by Doing Good

8. Idealists and Realists

9. What Are We Part of?

10. The Seven Deadly Sins

11. Materialist Philanthropy

12. Whoever Has Will Receive More

13. Hoarding and Sharing

14. Lessons from the Least

15. Lower and Higher

16. Who Is Expendable?

17. How Much and How Well?

18. Are We Hospitable?

19. Rules and Aspirations

20. Suffering

21. Treasure in Earthen Vessels

22. Ethics and Metaphysics

Suggested Readings

Index