Is generosity just for the wealthy?

I have spent 25 years working for non-profits and there is always a common theme of, “we just need one celebrity to get behind us, one major grant, or one major donor, and things would be great!”?I would like you to consider that this usually does not solve the problem and that in America we do not have a money problem, but a “thinking” about money problem.. Let me explain using a few examples.?I once attended a church where there was no offering taken up. I was curious and asked the pastor after the service, “why did you not take an offering?”?He said, “our people give generously and we do not need any more money.”?I thought “wow!” and even was prepared to give, but he did not need it.?You may remember the story in Exodus where the people’s?hearts had been stirred?to make the work happen and they had all the material that was sufficient and the labor to perform the task of building the sanctuary.?

Exodus 36:2-7

Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful person in whom the LORD?had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it.?3They received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still?continued?bringing to him freewill offerings every morning.?4And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work which he was performing,?5and they said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the LORD?commanded?us?to perform.”?6So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp, saying, “Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary.” Thus the people were restrained from bringing?any more.?7For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it.

?????One of my great friends works with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and must raise his own support as a missionary and help raise the support of others in the state.?I remember a conversation where he had a major donor that was faithfully investing $25,000 annually into the ministry.?This donor seemed to struggle as to where to invest and felt obligated to give to him because he had supported FCA for some time.?My friend gently guided him to pray about it and give to whatever cause that the Lord would be pleased with, which he did and gave to another charity!?This shows a heart of generosity and thinking correctly in the Kingdom as we are to all live “open handed” whether we are the giver or the receiver.?

?????At our work with the National Christian Foundation many people ask, “what do you do?”?They tend to think that we only serve the super wealthy and that most givers would not benefit from a NCF Giving Fund.?I like to say, most people have a financial strategy, but do not have a giving strategy.?We help families with a giving strategy so they can find more joy in giving, save on taxes, and steward well all that God has entrusted to them.?We serve givers of all shapes and sizes and there are benefits for givers at every income level.?

?????A Giving Fund at NCF is an easy-to-create, low-cost, flexible account for charitable giving that is a popular alternative to giving directly to charities or creating a private foundation. Also known as a donor-advised fund, it’s the fastest growing giving vehicle in America today. Think of a Giving Fund like a charitable checking account. You make all kinds of gifts into the fund – not just cash and checks but also appreciated non-cash assets like stocks, real estate, and business interests. These funds grow and when you’re ready, you go online to recommend grants to your favorite charities, and our team at NCF sends the charity money to support their work and simplifies your life. Not only will you experience tangible benefits that simplify your giving and multiply your impact, but you also join tens of thousands of givers around the world in an unprecedented movement of Christian generosity.

?????If you are interested in learning more we have a Webinar coming up May 10th,?Register Here, that will describe more about the charitable giving tools that exist and see what might be a good fit for you.?

Until next time.?