My problem with the term – “Give Back”

[WildBill]

My current employer doesn't push it like my previous employer did --just passes out the forms and asks for 100% participation, without any coercion-- but many years ago my previous employer used to verbally promote the "fair share" language as well (and threatened employees who didn't want to contribute).

I had the same experience at a few companies.

[urnoodle]

I'm in agreement with TAM. I respect anyone's decision to give or not give. I was able to take advantage of some of those gifts and I believe I'm here today as a result. You see I was diagnosed with cancer 3 years ago. I'm not going to give a sob story because I don't believe there is one to give. Although I wouldn't ask for the experience again, it had a positive result. The aid I received came in the form of pharmaceutical companies providing me with needed medication, medical cost reimbursement from foundations created to "give back" to the community and even my employer who gave me a flexible work enviroment just so I could keep my head above water. Without them "giving back" (their words not mine) I would have surely lost everything I worked so hard for all of my life. I was gifted with great parents. They taught me to have a great work ethic and to persevere when times got hard. One's success is not measured by how much money one has. Its measured in the life he or she led. Life changes in an instant. You may be up one day and down the next. The generosity of others can make the difference in surviving the fall. So if someone chooses to call it "giving back", than that's fine with me. The gift does good things no matter what it's called. I for one "give back". Maybe my contribution, no matter the size, may help someone like me someday and that's a good feeling. If it's in someone's heart to give then any amount should be applauded.

What the looters did at RAC was out and out theft. No matter what label the looters applied to their actions, the justice system will apply the final one.

[Jaguar]

I'm in agreement with TAM. I respect anyone's decision to give or not give. I was able to take advantage of some of those gifts and I believe I'm here today as a result. You see I was diagnosed with cancer 3 years ago. I'm not going to give a sob story because I don't believe there is one to give. Although I wouldn't ask for the experience again, it had a positive result. The aid I received came in the form of pharmaceutical companies providing me with needed medication, medical cost reimbursement from foundations created to "give back" to the community and even my employer who gave me a flexible work enviroment just so I could keep my head above water. Without them "giving back" (their words not mine) I would have surely lost everything I worked so hard for all of my life. I was gifted with great parents. They taught me to have a great work ethic and to persevere when times got hard. One's success is not measured by how much money one has. Its measured in the life he or she led. Life changes in an instant. You may be up one day and down the next. The generosity of others can make the difference in surviving the fall. So if someone chooses to call it "giving back", than that's fine with me. The gift does good things no matter what it's called. I for one "give back". Maybe my contribution, no matter the size, may help someone like me someday and that's a good feeling. If it's in someone's heart to give then any amount should be applauded.

What the looters did at RAC was out and out theft. No matter what label the looters applied to their actions, the justice system will apply the final one.

Trust me noodle, I know of what you speak. I am a multiple cancer survivor and through the good will and giving of others, modern medicine and the grace of God, I have been cured of renal cell carcinoma and I am in remission from lymphoma. As a matter of fact it was during these times I came to look at the term “give back” with new skepticism, as complete strangers would tell me they were “giving back” when offering a gift. They took nothing from me but my gratitude and that was for their gift, not returning a favor.

The company I work for has been great to me as well as others who have faced adversity. They had fundraisers for myself and people gave generously, and I have given when others are affected not only with cancer but all types of hardships. But all of these things are gifts in my view. When I am in a position to offer gifts to others, I give, when I was in need, I accepted. When I pay off my mortgage, I “give back” with interest, and the bank “takes back”.

Maybe it is all semantics but I still believe words have meanings and “give back” is just a small step from “take back”. “Take back” can be justified, because someone has something that belongs to someone else, that that someone else can take it back. Whether people realize they are even saying it the meaning is still underlying the words, that they have an obligation since they previously took. And since they previously took it, it is expected they now return it. It cheapens the gift and allows looters to justify in their twisted logic to help themselves to other people’s wealth.

In a spiritual context I believe it is still questionable. I receive grace from God, I cannot pass this grace on to others and call it giving back, grace comes only from God. He moves my heart to give to others, and hopefully others are moved by his grace to give to others still. The Lord may uses me to affect others with His grace, but at no point will I take it that I am the source of that person’s grace. All gifts I give are from my own heart, moved by the Holy Spirit, and given of my own free will. You can say I received grace so therefore I give back in the form of donations, but really, that seems cheap for the gift of grace. If we call it a mortgage, I am so upside-down I will never pay it off. Thankfully Jesus is making my payments.

[smoothoperator]

In my experience, it's simple.

If someone says they want to "give back" there's a good chance they mean it the way TAM says.

If someone says someone else should "give back" there's a 93% probability they're socialist and a 57% probability their soul is driven by Greed, Envy and maybe a few other Deadly Sins. Percentages add to more than 100% because of overlap.

[urnoodle]

I guess when I hear "giving back" my brain translates it to God's gift even though Websters will define it differently. I agree, the Lord has given the lion share of those gifts for which we will never repay. I used to get caught up in the actually meaning of a word but now I don't. I try to look at the positive, what it means to me and not worry too much about the rest.

Jaguar, I pray for your continued health, peace and joy! And may the Lord continue to work his magic through you.