Lessons in Giving From Martin Luther King, Jr.

One of the most inspirational figures in American history is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He stood for peace, equality, and selflessness, three qualities we all strive to incorporate into our lives. What can we learn about giving from the words of the late Reverend?

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”

One of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s biggest missions was to help those who couldn’t help themselves. To fully embrace the teachings of Dr. King, you can’t exist in a bubble. If we truly want the world to be a better place for us and for future generations, we have to give back. If we have the means, financial gifts are one way to make a huge impact on the world around us.

Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.

Everyone can do great things. Similarly, everyone can give. You don’t have to be the perfect human being. You don’t have to have it all together. You don’t have to be a billionaire. The only thing you need is the desire to help. Even if you only give a dollar, you are helping to make a difference.

If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.

Not everyone can donate millions of dollars to save starving children. But that doesn’t mean that your gifts don’t have a big impact. A few dollars may not seem like much, but that amount could make a homeless person’s day brighter.

A bunch of tiny gifts eventually add up to one big blessing. Strive to affect the world positively in some small way every day. If all of us help a little, we can improve the world a lot.

How He Inspires Us

King’s legacy is one of small acts of good wherever they are needed. Givelify was founded on the belief that when you make it easier to give, people will give more. By making the ability to do good freely and readily available to as many people as possible, we hope that we can honor that legacy and help make the world better.

Learn More

• Learn more about Dr. King and the civil rights movement at the National Civil Rights Museum
• Visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. national historic site
• View the online exhibit of “One Life: Martin Luther King, Jr.” or visit in person at the Smithsonian Institution National Portrait Gallery