I heard someone say one time, “Takers never have enough but givers always have plenty.” Based on my own life, I have to agree.

Giving has always been a primary purpose in my life and business. I believe that “we give, to get, to give again.” What does that mean? Simply, keep giving. You will always have plenty.

When you give, you realize that your needs (and oftentimes more) are met with what’s left over. It helps you see that you didn’t need what you gave in the first place.

When I started Auntie Annes, I would split the sales into three piles: our income, taxes, giving. It was so important to us, even in those early days, that we gave away at least 10% of our sales. As the company grew, we were able to give millions over the years we were there but not everyone agreed with that philosophy. I had bankers and venture capitalist question the line item in our budget for giving, but we never budged.

We knew that if we gave, we would always have plenty.

To hear stories about people receiving from givers always inspires me. One of the many stories in the Bible that I’m intrigued with is the story of the ten lepers. It tells how Jesus touched and healed ten lepers.

What I find most remarkable about the story is the fact that only one of the ten said thank you! I can hardly fathom the fact that only one took the time to go back to Jesus and say thank you.

It puzzled Jesus enough to ask this man where the other nine were? The reality is, there are two types of people – givers and takers. Givers always have plenty and takers never have enough. Society has taught us to be entitled to everything. We think we deserve to have people give to us. Nothing is further from the truth! We are called to be givers!

Jesus is the greatest example of this. He gave continuously, until his final moments, when he gave his life to save the world. We can follow his example.

We must continue to give, no matter what the response. Whether it’s gratitude or ingratitude, our response can always be to keep giving.