Since we started our blog, it’s primarily been focused on how you can improve your financial situation. We just received an email Christmas card from one of our clients that kind of puts things in perspective. And, it matters not what religion you practice or even if you practice a religion, the message was a good reminder that there are many others much worse off than we are who can use our help.

While we can’t vouch for the numbers quoted in the email, we’d like to share a few of the messages as a reminder that we need to help others with our gifts, not only now, during the holiday season, but throughout the year.

Hear are a few of the thoughts that made us take special note:

“If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the people in the world.”

“If you have money in the bank, in your wallet and spare change in a dish some place, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.”

“If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

“If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world”.

“If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death, you are more blessed than 3 billion people in the world.”

So while we write of how to increase your investments, lower taxes, save for college, plan for retirement and a myriad of other financial topics, we urge you now and throughout the year to share some of your wealth with others less fortunate. Even a little can go a long way.

Sure, the last couple of years have been tough, but if you’ve been reading our blog, it’s highly likely that you are far better off than a very large number of other people in the world. And, we believe strongly that any funds you give to others in need during these difficult economic times will provide a return to you that far exceeds any you might have received by investing the money for your own benefit.

Note: In a previous blog article posted December 8, 2009, titled “A Better Way to Give”, we discussed a way to better stretch your limited gifting dollars.