Most people don’t think much about giving to charity. And because of that, most people don’t give to charity, and if they do, it’s not going to be any large sum. The way you give to charity shows a lot about you - about how you view the world, about your value systems, about your background.

Most people don’t take advantage of giving, because they see it as part of their finances. Sure, there’s cost involved, but most people don’t think twice about buying a meal or treating a friend for dinner.

1. Giving can make you famous (or infamous)

I’m not trying to take anyone on a guilt trip here, but having a right mind about giving will give you an edge over a lot of people. A lot of people take notice because so many people aren’t in the mode of giving. Even your bosses can get a bit embarrassed if their donations can’t match yours.

2. Giving implies dedication

Most people who give willingly, and not sparingly, are people who have already gone through the thinking process of what that giving means. They don’t have to give it a second thought. In fact, good givers give on a regular basis, because they’ve already planned out their finances in such a way to be able to give. I practice that 10% of my salary goes to the church, but on top of that, RM20 goes to a cancer fund every month. By that I make an active stand about my giving priorities, no matter what the circumstance. You don’t have to take my word for it - Bill Gates has a stand too.

3. Good companies give

Good companies tend to be the ones who give back, and tend to provide better working environments. Though it may not be a crucial part of the interview process, having healthy giving practices does help to mold your character to be more employable. And you’ll want a good working environment that nurtures you and helps you grow.

4. Giving forces you to think

No doubt there are a lot of scams out there, which is why thinking is a necessity for purposeful, regular giving. It means that you’re willing to address an issue that’s real, and dig deeper to find out about the problems. This sort of thing happens at work every day. Having a bigger perspective improves your ability to perform at work.

5. Giving provides new perspectives at very low cost

AOL Finance and Money published six surprising reasons to give to charity, which includes meeting celebrities, doing interesting things, getting cool stuff, and other things. Giving is such a radical thing that only radical people do it. It’s a great way to get out and embrace change.