The Gift of Generosity

The topic of gift-giving is impossible to avoid during the holiday season. While many of the presents we exchange with loved ones are tangible goods or services, there’s one gift in particular that holds special significance— the gift of generosity. But where does this gift truly come from? Is it something we’re taught, an instinct we feel deep within, or perhaps a value modeled for us by others? This season, as we reflect on the spirit of giving, we consider the deeper origins of generosity within our family and how it shapes our relationships with our community.

Generosity is often learned through example. Perhaps it’s the way a grandparent models selflessness and service and then a parent or aunt or uncle continues that legacy. Children then have the opportunity and responsibility to pick up that mantle. Each of these relatives contributes to shaping the values of an entire family, especially when it comes to The Tuckey Companies, a family of businesses.

Our story of origin at Tuckey begins with Denver Tuckey, the father of current CEO, Kenn Tuckey, and grandfather of Matt and Nathan Tuckey who are both leaders within the organization. Denver was a good man motivated by a desire to be a trusted neighbor and provide honest, dependable service to his community. The stories passed down from generation to generation revolve around the winter of 1968 and families within the community losing heat. Whether there is one particular neighbor who provided the spark of inspiration to found Tuckey Mechanical Services, or Denver’s community as a whole, out of the need to serve and give is where Tuckey began. Denver’s own life reflected the gift of generosity, and he was purposeful in how he passed this down to his children and grandchildren.

In business, this generational generosity can have an even greater ripple effect than one neighbor helping one neighbor. A family business, for instance, may be built upon the principle of serving customers with kindness, offering employees fair wages and benefits, and contributing to the local community. A grandson who inherits this legacy doesn’t just see it as a financial venture, but as a mission to continue the work of serving others.

For the Tuckey Family, we feel called to live out the gift of generosity not only as it was modeled for us by our elders, but also as it is modeled for us by our faith. As Christians, our generosity is not just a personal or business value, but a reflection of our faith. The Bible teaches that everything we have is a gift from God, and we are called to steward these blessings with an open hand, never holding on too tightly to material possessions. In fact, Jesus himself teaches in the Gospel of Matthew, “not to store up for ourselves treasures on earth.” (Matthew 6:19-20).

Generosity, then, is not just a choice, but a commandment. As stewards of God’s gifts, we are called to share what we have with others. Whether it’s our time, talents, or treasure, we are to live generously, knowing that by giving, we participate in God’s work in the world. The more we live with open hands—whether as individuals, families, or businesses—the more we reflect God’s love and care for others. This is particularly important in the way we engage with our communities.

Generational generosity is a powerful legacy. It is one that transcends time and touches many lives. Whether it’s passed down from grandfather to father to grandsons, or from a business owner to their team and community, generosity is a principle that strengthens relationships, builds trust, and creates a lasting impact. From a faith perspective, living generously is a reflection of our trust in God’s provision and our call to serve others with open hands.

In both family and business, we remind ourselves this holiday season that true wealth is found not in what we keep, but in what we give. And as we pass down the legacy of generosity, we believe it will continue to ripple outward, blessing generations to come. In this way, it might just be the greatest gift of all.