Giving It All Away…and Getting It All Back Again: The Way of Living Generously

by David Green Sr., Bill High (With)

Join self-made billionaire David Green, founder of America's craft store giant Hobby Lobby, as he shares the key to building a powerful generosity. In Giving It All Away…and Getting It All Back Again , Green unpacks time-tested principles that will help you reap the benefits of generosity for multiple generations to come. In 1970, David Green began making picture frames in his garage. With hard work, he and his wife, Barbara, turned that humble beginning into the world's largest privately owned arts-and-crafts retailer, employing forty-three thousand people across nine hundred stores in forty-seven states. But it's not all about business. Giving It All Away…and Getting It All Back Again --part memoir, part personal manifesto--will change the way you think about prosperity, teaching you that true wealth is about more than money. It's about growing your faith, your family, and your intellectual capital alongside your bank account. Green also reminds us that it's not just giving that sets the foundation for financial freedom. Practicing good stewardship also helps us pass on our values and set good examples for future generations. As Hobby Lobby has grown, Green has stayed true to this philosophy by adhering to three key Follow Green as he invites you to see that a life marked by generosity can also be a life full of adventure--a life that pays the best rewards, changes the lives of those around you, and gives you the tools you need to leave a lasting legacy.

Genres: Christian, Biography, Nonfiction, Business, Memoir, Self Help, Finance

192 pages, Hardcover

First published April 25, 2017

Reviews

[Lauren Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. And not only because my grandfather, David Green, is the author. This book has years worth of wisdom on important topics such as family, work, and long-term vision.
The book begins by challenging the reader to live life intentionally thinking long term- encouraging the idea of leaving a legacy long after we are gone. It walks through stories the author lived through, such as the struggles of the Supreme Court battle for Hobby Lobby, an experience in the 1980s that almost brought the company to bankruptcy, and the path that lead the family to sign away the rights to the company. Even though I have lived the stories in this book, I still gained much wisdom through its pages!

[Rachel B · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry to have to give this only two stars. I did agree with much of what Green writes here about how to handle money and especially liked his guidelines on transferring wealth to future generations.

That said, the book is less than 200 pages, so I thought it would be a quick and easy read; yet I struggled through this. It's repetitive, dry, and a bit unfocused. I couldn't figure out if Green was trying to write a how-to manual on wealth management for Christians, or if he was writing Hobby Lobby's memoirs.

I was also turned off by the fact that every "good" decision Green shares is one made by himself or his family; any examples of poor decisions were his observations of other individuals not blessed with his same wisdom.

I think this could be edited quite a bit more (hopefully it will be, as I'm reading an ARC), to the point where it could easily be reduced to 100 pages or so.

I would also suggest that Christians interested in learning how to manage their money biblically read Randy Alcorn's Money, Possessions and Eternity or his shorter book The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

God owns everything and he wants us to be good stewards of everything he has put into our hands. We all have wealth, our intellectual capital, our social capital, our emotional capital, our spiritual capital, and our financial capital. Being good stewards produces responsibility and we need to be found faithful. Faithful stewardship leads to generosity and great joy.

David Green is CEO of Hobby Lobby. He tells the story of how he and his wife started in the garage in Oklahoma and with the mindset of God owning everything and kingdom building. With that mindset, they have found success in many different forms. I was impressed with the community that they had within their family. Building responsibility with their children using biblical principles found in the bible. What a great resource for families to build responsibility with the goal of generosity.

The book is found with 5 parts
**A Radical Way of Living
**It's All God's
**Giving It All Away
**The Legacy of Work and Family
**The Eternal Legacy that is Right Now.

Along in this journey, he shares the battle that Hobby Lobby fought with the government and the faith that pressed the company on. With great urgency, he encourages his readers to come along with the journey that Hobby Lobby and the Green family have taken. The journey of faith and generosity.

A Special Thank You to Zondervan and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Jay French · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for the story of how the owners of Hobby Lobby fought healthcare regulations on religious grounds, taking the lawsuits all the way to the Supreme Court, this is the story that begins this book. You learn of the life of the author, David Green, growing his hobby empire and building a family run business. Beyond the lawsuit story, most of this book is focused on the history of Green’s Hobby Lobby business and on how Green involves his family in the running of the business. I read a lot of business histories, and this was not particularly revealing in the business aspects. But on family ownership, Green grows his business to involve three generations in the business, from working in the stores to management to board membership and voting on strategic issues. It was a story you only hear about in some of the large family-run businesses. I read this book more to see a personal story of gratitude and philanthropy, given the title. It isn’t that. Good for background and an example of family business involvement, but of limited repeatability if you aren’t growing a big business and a big family to go with it.

[Ellie Sorota · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Green tackles wealth, business, estate planning and generational handoffs in one book. I enjoyed reading his take on generosity and hearing how his company has built generosity into it's core values from how it pays it's employees to what the company does with its profits. I didn't rate the book higher because he seemed a bit repetitive (but perhaps that's because we already saw eye to eye and there was no need to convince me), and because I'm not a business owner so it was less applicable. However, I was certainly challenged to build more giving into my day.

[Kamryn Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be a go-to book for a long time. I’ll probably read it once a year for the rest of my life. Full of insight and wisdom for building a true family legacy it challenged my current definition of legacy and had me rethink my vision for the family business. A must read for every Christian entrepreneur.

[David McClendon, Sr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NeY_xHqvz6M
Buy From Amazon: https://amzn.to/2UvyVq1
By now you have heard countless times that, “You can’t outgive God.” This is the story of how David Green and Hobby Lobby tried to out give God and failed. Maybe you should try it sometime.

Giving It All Away…and Getting It All Back Again: The Way of Living Generously by David Green and Bill High takes readers through Green’s early years as a child all the way up to where he is now.

One great thing about Giving it All Away is that it fits on almost all of the blogs and YouTube Channels we have. It is a book about business, so it fits on Redneck MBA. It is a book about religion and especially tithing, so it fits all kind of ways on How to Manage Your Monkey. It is a book so, of course, it fits on Book Reviews by Bird. And everything fits on Random Thoughts and Observations so, it fits there.

This book is a wonderful story of how Hobby Lobby took on the “guvment”, as we rednecks say, and won. But it is mostly a story about giving back. It shares how a large Pentecostal Holiness family gave much more than their due and inspired their children to do the same.

Hobby Lobby makes such a great juxtaposition to Walmart it is uncanny. A comparison and contrast between the two companies would make a great case study, thesis, or dissertation.

Walmart is all about the mighty dollar. They squeeze every vendor to get a better deal and leave the vendor with less. Hobby Lobby make sure everyone gets a fair deal.

Walmart runs all over their employees. Walmart employees have to work Thanksgiving or be fired. Hobby Lobby is closed on Sunday. Walmart is open 24/7/364. Hobby Lobby closes at 8 PM so their employees can spend time with their families.

Hobby Lobby is so supportive of a person’s right to life that they took on the U. S. Government, and WON. Walmart sells the “morning after pill” on their sales floor. The Walton family is/was allegedly Christian, but the stores Sam left behind don’t reflect it in any way.

What would the world look like if EVERY company displayed true Christian values like Hobby Lobby?

Giving it All Away would make a great small group Bible study for your church. It would make a great book for your chamber of commerce to distribute to all its members so that members could read it and see that it works to put God in control of your business, large or small.

We really cannot say enough about Giving it All Away.

We purchased Giving it All Away for our personal library. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

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Buy From Amazon: https://amzn.to/2UvyVq1
https://youtu.be/NeY_xHqvz6M

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, David Green is the founder of the largest privately owned arts and crafts retailer in the world. At one point, in the eighties when profits were good, Hobby Lobby had expanded into selling things that proved to be unsuccessful and the company was in the red. Green called together a family meeting, and after telling them what was going on, his oldest son, Mart said, “Dad, it’s okay. Our faith is not in you—it’s in God. If we lose the business, we’ll still be okay.” That was the most important thing I got from this book. It is filled with faith.

I had heard of Green before this book came out since he is well known for suing the federal government in a case that went all the way to the Supreme Court. As a Christian he would not support the idea that private companies must provide life-terminating drugs to their pregnant employees or pay severe fines, and at the time, that was the law. People who opposed Green's beliefs set up Facebook pages against his company. Of course, there were also many who supported his decision. After months and months of waiting, they won. In this day and age it’s good to see a Christian company win a battle like that. (Today I saw a number of people online remarking about an article saying many companies offer paid maternity leave and he does not. He does, however, pay over twice as much as minimum wage)

David says throughout the book that the company belongs to God. He donates 50% of his profits to organizations that share the good news in many ways. He treats his employees exceptionally well; they make a fairly decent living compared to those who take jobs like this for other companies. On the other hand, he’s quick to point out that he doesn’t plan to promote one of his very own children to a CEO position unless that child shows he is worthy. From what I can gather, his children and grandchildren aren’t to expect anything special from him; they are all expected to have jobs and earn their own way. I can’t help but feel a bit as if he doesn’t feel as if he can trust them with the company or money for that matter. His own children weren’t given cars; one child said he saved for a car from the age of 9 and couldn’t afford anything nice. While I agree that children should work for the things they want, I also don’t think it hurts to help out a child who really wants something and has worked hard; why not chip in something? It seems a little bit as if he doesn’t trust what ? their upbringing ? them ? I don’t know. This verse came to mind from the Bible:

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

I think he needs to trust that he did the best he could, and God will do the rest. He doesn’t have to set up everything so tight that he can still have it all under his control even when he’s passed on. Although that is the end he is working toward.



This is an interesting and informative book with some very thought-provoking views.

[Mark Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Green, the founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby, believes that the rule of generosity, the rule of giving, is the foundation for building a lasting legacy. In the early part of the book, he explains the concept of legacy.

Leaving a legacy is about succession—those who follow after us… “When all is said done, your ability as a leader will not be judged by what you achieved personally … You will be judged by how well the generation behind you did after you were gone. Your lasting value will be measured by succession.”

Later in the book, he explores the meaning of generosity.

My journey into generosity has shown me two important thing, among others. First, generosity has a starting point. You don’t just wake up one day and poof, you’re generous. It begins with a decision to steward your resources with a heavenly mindset. Second, generosity depends not on how much money we have but on the posture of our hearts. Too often we think of generosity as the sharing and giving of money. But that’s a shallow definition. Generosity goes much deeper.

Part of the book is a memoir where Green talks about lessons instilled in him by his parents. He also describes what the family experienced when they sued the US Government over Obamacare and the case went all the way to SCOTUS, the US Supreme Court. The rest of the book explains how David and the Green family developed their convictions and commitments towards generosity and how it impacts their business, Hobby Lobby. He also describes their approach to wealth management and passing on wealth to children and grandchildren.

In the final chapter, he lays out the family’s basic ideas regarding wealth, business, and generosity.
• We are not owners of anything. God owns everything.
• God wants us to be good stewards of everything he’s put into our hands.
• We all have wealth—our intellectual capital, our social capital, our emotional capital, our spiritual capital, and our financial capital.
• Stewardship produces responsibility: as stewards, we need to be found faithful.
• The great joy of stewardship is generosity: giving it away because we get it all back again in the form of joy.

While the book is very simple, straightforward, and easy to read, it will stretch your thinking on the subject of generosity and passing wealth on to the next generation.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Cassandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy.

At first I felt like the author was a big shot showing off what he gave in a flashy way and really just absorbing the whole book on him and Hobby Lobby. It was a way in my mind for him to add gloating and show how much money he has had and gives but I also found it sad that he chose to give only to a cause which send out religious materials to other countries.

I know that religion is a great gift for some. Could you imagine for a second if he chose to give millions of dollars to the USA in hopes of freeing our country from poverty and hunger or sickness.

What if he choose a few different states to give the 250,000 to for them to help with our much needed causes instead of the organizations that will print materials for people to find God.

I know that people think that other countries are in more need than our own and I get that we need to provide relief for them, but we can only be strong when we as a nation are stronger. I think the best thing the author mentioned was the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation because at least I know that he is aware of more important causes.

It is like he is playing God with his family and choosing the fate of people, but at the same time saying that God is the reason he does it. I felt like the book was just a way for a rich man to get some facetime and for him to spend his money in another way. Generosity has no bounds but when you take time to write a book, it is like you expected the reader to give you a blessing instead of being a blessing.
I also feel like there are so many levels of poor and to talk about having groups where rich people gather to give each other a pat on the back for the money they give is just sad. When I personally have to drive a car that is beyond repair and struggle for basic needs on a daily basis as a single mom, I just feel sick when I read about a person who gives to needs people can not really use. Unless they are planning to build a fire with the reading material in the philippines to stay warm or cook, I just do not see how helpful it is to give even bigger organizations more money to print and destroy more of our resources like trees, as a way to help.

Maybe I am just touchy on this subject or perhaps only a poor person can see the truth on this matter, but either way I was thrilled to finish reading this because I could not believe that someone would write and really believe they were giving the world another great material to learn from.

[Christopher Humphrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Giving it All Away...and Getting it All Back Again: The Way of Living Generously “ by David Green with Bill High, is a compelling story of how God is using a man, a family, and a Company for the work of God through the means of generosity. This small volume is written by the founder of Hobby Lobby. Mr. Green recounts his journey from a small town pastor’s son to a big business mogul. But this book is no vanity project. Instead, David Green retells how God has worked in his life to lead him to using his Company’s vast resources to do the work of God in missions.

I really appreciated Green’s story. His parents, though not rich one this world’s resources, were generous. That example set the stage for his God would work in Green’s life as he built a multi-billion dollar business. Along the way, Green determined to use the resources God placed in his hands for kingdom purposes. This is the essence of the book—-God allowed Hobby Lobby to succeed. And although the Green family “owns” Hobby Lobby, the family realizes that Hobby Lobby is God’s Company. That is the field in which they were called to work. So, as God allows their Company to make a profit, the Greens have determined to annually give half of the Company’s profits to mission’s work for the spread of the Gospel.

Green also recounts in this book how he has organized his estate to perpetuate this pattern of giving throughout his lifetime and the lifetime of his children, grandchildren, and beyond. Indeed, Green doesn’t just talk about giving. Nor does Green simply give from abundance. Rather, Green sets an example that is worthy of emulation. Green and his family mKe their living by the Company. But the real purpose of the Company, the eternal purpose, is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ around the globe.

Perhaps you may think this story is not relevant to your modest-by-comparison circumstances. Think again! This book will reminds you that everything you are, everything you have, you do not own. Instead, you are simply a steward who will be held accountable for how you have stewarded the resources God has made available to you. This is a book of challenge, not just in the area of wealth but also a challenge in parenting, in vocation, in time management, and the use of your talents. The church needs this book and it profits from Green’s example. I highly commend this book to you. Happy reading!

[Christy Bower · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw David Green’s book, Giving It All Away . . . and Getting It All Back Again, I expected an epic tale of a billionaire who did exactly that—gave it all away. I hoped it would be more than a rags-to-riches story. I anticipated a story of David Green going from great riches as the founder of the retail giant, Hobby Lobby, moving to rags as he gave it all away, and then back to riches as he got it all back again.

Instead, I found the first half of the book discussing his lawsuit against the United States. He admitted that he had written most of the book before the lawsuit came up so he put the book on hold and added this information later, but it should have been a book of its own. The added content deviated from the message of the book (as intended).

While I’m on the subject of David Green’s lawsuit, I might comment how much he preached the need to obey governing authorities, to render unto Caesar by paying taxes, and to submit to governing authorities. Yet, he defied the government. I suppose he did so through the appropriate legal channels. What if he had lost? Would he have disobeyed? The Bible doesn’t say to obey the government only when you agree with it. No, Peter urged persecuted Christians to obey the governing authorities in the midst of unjust persecution.

Moving on, about halfway through the book, there was a chapter or two about how he gives away half of the profits of Hobby Lobby: “The more this business gives, the more God blesses us to keep giving.” For a brief time, the content seemed to fit the title of the book.

Then he spent the last third of the book discussing in minute detail how he intends to distribute his wealth after he’s gone. This seemed so unnecessary because almost no one is in the position to have that kind of wealth. I don’t know why he felt he had to describe the intimate details of what his family will do with his wealth. It felt wrong to be reading this and a little eerie or bizarre.

This book was disappointing, but it did contain a few worthwhile nuggets of truth in a couple chapters on generosity.

[Yvie · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Green believes that generosity and building a legacy based on giving can lead to getting back what you really want: a family that stays together, prays together, and shares life joyfully. Green tells the story of caring for the small things and starting Hobby Lobby in their garage. He shares the difference between the worlds of “having and hoarding” and a world of “giving and generosity,” the principle of working for God and not for men, and that now is not too soon to consider what you want your legacy to be. As proof of how living by those principles can change your life, Green shares that when Hobby Lobby came close to bankruptcy in 1986 and when the Supreme Court challenged the Hobby Lobby’s right to life beliefs in 2014, the company emerged with its integrity intact. Green sees the life of giving as a life of adventure. But it’s a life that pays the best rewards personally, offers a powerful legacy to your family, and changes those you touch.

I must admit that I picked up this book on the same week that Hobby Lobby was (once again) in the public spotlight - this time for the Iraqi artifacts. However, I tried very hard to be a tabula rasa during the reading. The book is about family businesses, and the lessons that the Green family has learned with their business, but it's not just for those with a business - it can be useful for anyone who feels that they have something to pass on. It provides examples of situations where you can help others, and some where you may want to pass. There is discussion of the process of passing the family business down from one generation to the next, and how to decide which family members are to receive said business. There is also a lot of discussion on building the business internally, with not only customer but employee satisfaction, and establishing a good moral base in the company. Again, some of my reading was colored by current events, but it's a good read for anyone considering a family business.

[Sam McKeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful and Inspirational!

David Green, the founder of Hobby Lobby, shares the principles that have guided him throughout his life. He communicates these principles in a way that readers can practically apply them to their own lives. Green’s passion for leaving a lasting legacy is the primary theme throughout the book. A legacy that is not just financial but also encompasses other things is what Green refers to as an “invisible legacy”. There is great emphasis placed on ensuring that the next generation is well prepared to receive the legacy of the preceding generation.

There is a significant focus on generosity and great joy that comes from giving. Green’s generosity is a result of his faith and belief that God owns everything. He sees it as his responsibility to use what God has blessed him with in order to accomplish God’s mission. Many of the principles Green shares buck the conventional wisdom of the business world but Green communicates his belief that this atypical approach to business is what has made Hobby Lobby so successful.

Green does well in communicating his message in an open and vulnerable way. He is not afraid to share his own struggles and how his faith has sustained him. He gives God all the credit for his success. Green is clearly a man with a great faith, strong convictions and who actually practices what he preaches.

I highly recommend this book. Regardless of your faith or views you will benefit from Green’s message. You will be challenged to think about your own legacy and how you are preparing to pass the “baton” to the next generation.

[Shirley Brosius · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, David Green, founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby, shares his philosophy of generosity and the results it has had in his family and his business. He writes, “At the core of any meaningful life and legacy has to be a vision for generosity, an understanding of what it means to be a blessing to others.”

According to Green, it starts with a decision to steward your resources with a heavenly mindset. That was his reaction when Hobby Lobby was taken to court for refusing to pay for birth control medications that induced what he considered abortions. Green and his family, who runs the business with him, agreed that their business belonged to God, whatever the outcome. They won the legal battle.

While it’s not a biography, the book includes interesting tidbits about Green’s background. His father, a pastor, was disappointed when Green did not enter ministry of some type. But Green followed his passion to enter retail sales, and now Hobby Lobby gives away half its profits.

Green stresses the book is not about riches, but about leaving a legacy. His parents were poor, yet they left a legacy of generosity. He suggests setting goals and if you own a business, developing mission and vision statements.

A Reader’s Guide closes out the eleven chapters of this short book, making it a good prospect for small group study.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a Christian concerned about the best ways to think about money and to give, you’ll benefit from this book. If you’re in business, you’ll benefit from it greatly. And if you’re of such an age that you’re thinking about retirement and eventually leaving an inheritance, you’ll find his book to be indispensable. It’s not the best-written book (though it’s not badly written). It’s not always the clearest: many of the chapters have an unstated, ambiguous theme. Yet the essential message and, perhaps even more importantly, spirit comes through vividly and nourishingly.

God owns everything. We are stewards. Inherited wealth is deathly dangerous. Train your family in the use of wealth. Involve them in making decisions. Reward hard work, not position. Convert your wealth into gospel fruitfulness, because nothing else lasts.

These themes come through loud and clear. And David Green has the authority, wit, and candor to get us to believe them and to even act on them.

Any book that changes both your ideas and your actions to be more Christlike is worth—literally, for once—its weight in gold. So it is with this one.

[BigDaddyBigz Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

** copied from The BigDaddyBigz Blog **

David Green and his family should be in the top 5 of your list "who do I want to emulate". Generosity is one of the greatest attributes we can acquire, is steeped in simplicity of action, yet is the seemingly most difficult thing for the human nature to perform. Why? I believe the answer is found in the pages of this book, but only if you are astute enough to find it.
I believe this book is part biographical, part business leadership manual, and part theological. The overarching message is spot-on, even if you don't hold the same religious beliefs as David...heck, it's spot-on even if you hold no religious beliefs at all!
In this book you will learn what the Hobby Lobby family values, how they run their company, and how you can create a family structure that will be your greatest legacy. What you will learn, as David Green would say, is how to pass the baton to the next generation. It is better to learn this while young, but even if you are old you can affect great change in the coming generations if you read and implement the information found in this book.
David Green, my hat is off to you, sir! Thank you for sharing you heart in this book!!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Green writes about his decision to give away half of the profits Hobby Lobby and his other companies make each year, and how God has continued to bless the growth of Hobby Lobby over the years. Green believes Hobby Lobby is God’s company and that he and his family are to be good stewards of the money to further the recognition of Christ in the world. To make sure this continues for further Green family generations, their companies have been put into a trust so that no one will ever be tempted to sell or liquidate the companies for personal gain. If and when more than 10% of the companies are sold or liquidated, 90% of the monies must be donated to ministries that further the mission of Christ and the other 10% goes to a Green family emergency fund. He says the mission of his companies are to glorify God, not to make his family rich.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This read was a gift from a friend and one that I would not have chosen on my own. The Hobby Lobby story and their conviction of conscience that lead to a Supreme Court case is something of which I have respect, but the book was not about that. Instead, this is David Green’s philosophy on generosity and transferring wealth t the next generation. It is a highly relevant topic for a culture awash in wealth, but starved for the character to manage it properly, which includes a heart of giving above all. Kudos to Green for his own record of giving and his willingness to share his philosophy and heart with all of us.

[Paige Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I tend to suffer from neurotic breakdowns anytime I enter the store, the story of Hobby Lobby is one that is truly inspiring to me and David is someone I admire greatly. That admiration only grew after reading the thoughts he shares here on generosity, legacy, and what makes a life worth living. He is a godly, wise, and humble man and offers a great example for anyone to follow in their efforts to serve Christ in all areas of life.

Favorite Quote: “It all comes down to trust. Do I really trust that God is the same God who stayed Abraham’s hand from slaughtering his son and provided a ram in the thicket for the sacrifice? If my answer is yes, then that carries consequences.”

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I listened to this book while driving six hours. It was perfect because some of the key points were spoken of more than once.

I’ve always enjoyed shopping at Hobby Lobby and I’ve known and admired the fact that they are closed on Sundays and have limited evening hours.

I really appreciated the background story about David Green’s experiences together with his wife as they began trying to run a very business based on Godly principles. Obviously, it works!

Mr. Green’s parents certainly led their family by spiritual example. It is a pleasure to see him honor their examples and then strive to pass them on to his own descendants charmingly called G2 & G3.

[Nathan Magnuson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I immensely enjoyed hearing what David Green and Bill High had to share in Giving It All Away. As a business person who isn't very artsy, I've had limited interactions with Hobby Lobby, but this book helped me understand the background of HL's business decisions, Obamacare case and very structured and thoughtful charitable giving strategy. The isn't just lip service to high ideals, it got very specific about what it means (at least in the Green family's case) to put their money where their mouth is and act according to their values. We need more case studies like HL and more well articulated books too.

[Mikayla Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story, not a how-to.

A story about the Green family, the history of their business, how they incorporate faith into their business, and how that influences their family legacy constitution. Overall a heartwarming story about faith and trust in God, definitely worth the read. As a "g2" in the starting stages of my own family legacy, it gave me a lot of perspective as far as what to expect in family meetings and how Christianity can influence what the legacy constitution can look like.

On a technical note, this was a very easy book to read because of it's story-nature and with short chapters. I read the physical book, took me probably around 6-8 hours.

If you're looking for more technical how-to's, I would suggest:
- Family Wealth by James Hughes - for grantors and/or beneficiaries on how to develop a family legacy plan and generational wealth from the perspective of a lawyer
- Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn - for Christians on giving

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're interested in passing down your values to your children or grand children, this book might be very important to you. David Green has been blessed with amazing wealth and even more importantly, amazing vision. All of us have seen how too much money given too quickly to young adults can do more harm than good. The Greens have worked hard to pass along their Christian values over dollars.

It's not a necessarily interesting story, but not every important message needs to be interesting. I'm glad I read it.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written by the CEO of Hobby Lobby. He stresses how he grew his business from his garage when he started making picture frames. Now that it is one of the most profitable businesses in the US, Green wants to make sure that the profits just don't go to waste at the hands of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He and his entire family have set guidelines based on the Biblical prinicple that everything we own is God's, on loan to us. A very inspirational book, not only for business owners but also for individuals!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wondered if I would like this book, since I do not agree with all of Mr. Green's policies, but I had nothing to fear. This is a wonderful book, guide even, on how we should leave a legacy for our family. 50% of all profits from Hobby Lobby go to Christian charities around the world. Mr. Green's idea is that we are responsible for more than leaving money to our children and family, and that the most important resources that we leave are our values, beliefs, and morals. He explains his families legacy and how they got to where they are now.

[Ken Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy read. The author has demonstrated many of the principles detailed in the book, but explains his concepts simply and practically. This book is a great reminder that while we can accumulate much in this world, only what we invest for eternity truly lasts. Emphasizes developing a plan for living that looks behind your own life to what you will leave as a legacy in the future. Encourages giving the generations to come a heritage that will allow them to use their resources for the glory of God and for the good of all people.

[David Medders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and convicting! This delightful biography of David Green, founder of Hobby Lobby, takes you on his journey with God along the spiritual pilgrimage of him and his family into his legacy of magnanimous generosity. He provides discrete disclaimers and caution along with prudent insights that can work for anyone regardless of the magnitude of wealth.

Don't shy away from the searchlight of his probing questions and the gentle nudge toward the joy of generous living. What a beautiful testimony of trans-generational giving.

[Rebecca Isaacs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book I believe should be required reading for all couples before they get married...it talks so much about long term goals both from a financial and other legacy planning. I think it would be good as a future couple to go into the marriage with so many of these goals discussed and on the same page...not that you will have it all figured out but at least your goals are the same. Great discussion questions at the end of the book. Of course good if you are already married.

[Robert Stoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on one family’s journey towards generosity. The book is more a story told of how the Green Family has arrived at their decisions around how to leave a legacy with the wealth they have been afforded by God. It’s a good walk through some of the stewardship issues that can arise as wealth increases. There are plenty of Scriptures supporting important decisions but this book is less a Biblical exposition on the issue of money and generosity.