By asking that question in the title of the article, it is obvious I believe the answer is most certainly “No.” There are different motivations and reasons for giving because giving is very personal.” It really is obvious. Now ask yourself, which kind of giving is yours?
Spontaneous Giving
Spontaneous giving doesn’t have to be entirely spontaneous. Are you uncomfortable giving money to a homeless person? Carry $5 McDonald’s Gift Cards instead of $5 bills. See 5 Stories of Spontaneous Generosity. What does it take to be spontaneously generous? It takes a heart open to the opportunities God presents and an awareness of all that is around you. It also takes being prepared. You are prepared to give and are willing to give, but the specific opportunity was spontaneous.
Sometimes it isn’t even the giving that is necessarily generous – but your actions generate spontaneous generosity. Not too long ago my wife and I were out walking in a nearby neighborhood. On the side of the road was a very nice child’s desk and chair.
Typically, furniture of the side of the road is “free” but still we asked. We explained that since we work with foster families and that we would take these things to a foster closet. The lady didn’t know much about foster closets, so we talked about them. She then went and got several more toys she had that her grandkids no longer played with and we ended up loaded down at the end of our walk!
What started as just getting rid of something she no longer wanted or needed turned into a chance for her to be even more generous. Generosity is contagious, and it caught that grandmother. She said there would be more items in the next few weeks so we will keep walking by!
She followed through! She put out some additional toys that were no longer age-appropriate for her grandchildren. It appears that we caught her attention by speaking to her and she jumped in with more things for the foster families we serve. Those toys were cleaned up and then went to the Redeeming Love Foster Closet.
We do these “pick-ups” regularly, at least as regularly as we see things by the side of the road that are worthwhile. Shelves for 3 foster teenage girls? We found some on the road side with the sign “free.” More recently we spotted a portable crib in almost perfect condition. Of course, the crib needed to be cleaned up a bit. So what? That crib is now being used by one of the foster families in the Idlewild foster care community. The cost? A few minutes, some soap, some “elbow grease” and caring enough to want to help.
We went to a thrift shop and saw two small rusty bikes and a dented and rusted Schwinn tricycle. When we asked their cost and said why we were interested, the price dropped to zero. A few hours of work and a few replacement parts, and we had three great toys for children.
Spontaneous giving has a very low cost. We have rarely seen the benefit to the receiver of the gift, but it is enough to know we have helped someone.
Planned Giving and Having a Giving Strategy
What is most commonly referred to as planned giving is a contribution that is arranged in the present for a future date, often the death of the donor. Planned giving is typically done through a bequest or gift in a will or trust.
But there is a way to give that is planned and systematic while you are living. That type of giving is often done with what is referred to as a giving strategy. A giving strategy is often a powerful giving style that increases kingdom impact and blessing. The National Christian Foundation and The Idlewild Foundation highly recommend that all giving be through a real giving strategy, one that maximizes the impact and benefit of your generosity.
Start with one simple question, “How can I do the most good with what God has entrusted to me?” The prayerful answer is the best because the Spirit will lead you to the gifts that glorify God. That is why you have what you do – to give generously and glorify God.
2 Corinthians 9:11
11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Interestingly, the less you have, the more important it is for you to see that your giving matters. Just know one thing – it does matter. Just ask the widow Jesus observed. Mark 12:41-44.
Forced or Compelled Giving
This is the “I have to give” or “I have to tithe” concept that subtly (or not so subtly) pushes aside joyful giving. Folks who “have to give” often either become non-givers or become people who learn that God has given them what they have for a purpose – so they can joyfully give (2 Cor. 9:11-13). Those people don’t have to give, they get to give. See God Loves a Cheerful Giver – So Be One!
Your view of generosity and giving may well reflect your view of worship and how you view your church. I love the way Jonathan Rich puts it,
“The church is not an evangelical gathering that happens on Sunday morning. The church is a community of believers who are gathering together, and then trying to encourage and develop the community around them. As Christians, community is where we live. The work that we do, in the place that we live, is really important.”
See How one family uses their business and their Giving Fund to teach others about generosity
Sporadic Giving
Sadly, many give sporadically. They give irregularly and without any plan. Giving to Goodwill or The Salvation Army near the end of the year for the tax benefit of a donation is one example. Typically, sporadic giving is not motivated by the potential good that can result to others; it is more for personal benefit. Unfortunately, the negative results of sporadic giving are at times evident when you see a worn out mattress left leaning against a donation box just before a downpour.
Radical Giving
There is something interesting about persons who have the spiritual gift of giving. They often want their giving to be anonymous. The donors to the scholarship fund of The Idlewild Foundation are a great example. This generous couple has given $2 million for the creation of a scholarship fund, The fund started in 2012 and since then the Foundation has given out over $1.45 million in more than 450 scholarships for undergraduate college degrees and vocational educations for active members of Idlewild Baptist Church who demonstrate a financial need. That is having a radical impact on many people’s lives. But that generous couple insists on remaining anonymous. They rightfully want God to get the glory.
We have watched ministries like Loft 181 survive and even thrive because of the radical generosity of allowing the ministry to use a house for over five years with no rent, and the money was given for that ministry to purchase, renovate and move to a beautiful new building.
Loft 181 is a special Lutz foster closet for teenage girls and teenage girl victims of sex trafficking who are rescued. They are treated like the special loved children of God that they are.
Similarly, Garage 517 (based on 2 Cor, 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!) is a foster closet for teenage boys with a similar boutique approach. It is in a donated building, specially and lovingly fixed up to serve and love on foster teenage boys.
These ministries thrive thanks to the radically generous gifts of donors, many of whom do not donate used clothes, but buy new merchandise for these foster closets.
For other examples of radical generosity, go to the website of Generous Giving, an Orlando organization that promotes generosity through stories and conversation. I like the question Generous Giving has on its homepage:
What would life be like if you could…
Give without obligation…
Share without hesitation…
Live with the generosity of Jesus?
That is a great question!
Conclusion
Not all giving is the same. Giving is good. And the joyful and sincere generosity that comes from the heart is so refreshing to watch. It isn’t the amount that makes the real difference, it is the love with which the gift is given that matters. That love is a reflection of the generosity of God when He gave His one and only Son to us. John 3:16. The gift of Jesus was as radical as any gift ever made, and the priceless benefit of life, joy and love that came from that gift will be felt for all eternity.
Now, as Jesus said in Luke 10:37, “go and do likewise.”
About the Author
John Campbell has retired from a 40-year legal practice as a trial attorney in Tampa. He has served in multiple volunteer roles at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida, where he met Jesus. He began serving as the Executive Director of the Idlewild Foundation in 2016. He has been married to the love of his life, Mona Puckett Campbell, since 1972.