There is a common phrase among charities–at least among Christian charities–that donors should consider giving of their Time, their Talents, and their Treasure (i.e., time, skills, and money). The alliteration certainly makes the concept easy to remember. But does the phrase even make sense?
Last week, while I was at the Generosity Forum meeting, Gary Hoag challenged the concept. He said the phrase not only implies something that is impossible, it also encourages a wicked attitude on the part of those who “buy” its meaning. Specifically, he said, we can’t speak of owning (possessing, holding, having) time in the same way that we own (possess, hold, or have) talents and treasure. Time is not an asset in the same way that talents and treasure are.
He had two reasons for objecting.
First, Read the rest of this entry »