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“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16, NIV84)

What a great verse from the Word of God to begin this episode with!

  • Do good…
  • Share with others…
  • Sacrifice…

These three things, as we see in this verse, please God. We are in the season of giving, of generosity, towards others and toward non-profits and ministries.  Yes, we ought to be generous year round, but we think more and act more around this time of the year than any other time. As we step into Giving Tuesday and this time of the year where we focus and even increase our generosity, what are some of the do’s, don’ts of giving to non-profits, and parameters that we ought to consider and even implement in our generosity.

 

PRINCIPLES FOR GIVING TO NON-PROFITS

  • Build your generosity into your budget.
  • This falls into the ‘offering’ category.
  • Offerings do not replace the tithe (They go above and beyond).
  • You can be sacrificial with this kind of giving.
    • Forego a night out, have a tighter budget, etc… so you can be even more generous.
    • Even for a one time gift, forego something and give what you think you would have spent to that non-profit.
    • Remember…EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS!

 

GIVING TO NON-PROFITS: DO’S

  • Plan to give…don’t just HOPE to give!
  • Do your research! (Use a service like Guidestar.org)
  • Ensure that the organization is actually a non-profit/Christian organization.
  • Follow up & track tax receipts if you want to take advantage of this when you do your taxes
  • Make sure that what you give will actually fill a need.
  • Give directly to the organization, not through a third party.

 

GIVING TO NON-PROFITS: DON’TS

  • Don’t impulse give
  • Don’t fall into credit card debt
  • Don’t succumb to pressure or sob-story giving.
  • Don’t rush the giving process. Take your time to make sure your giving is accurate and intentional.
  • Don’t send broken or heavily used items. Your trash is probably not their treasure!
  • Don’t give over the phone to a hired gun.
  • Don’t give to unsolicited outreaches through email or social media. Don’t be victim of scammers!
  • Don’t Forget the local ministries. Good ministry is happening in your backyard, look to support them as well!

 

STEWARDSHIP APPLICATION

  • Even though Giving Tuesday may be over when you listen to this episode, please remember, you can, and should, give and support those ministries and non-profits that are near and dear to your heart!
  • Luke 6:38 states, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
  • Give generously (but use caution)
  • Giving needs to be out of a heart of gratitude (joyful giving) and should be done out of a heart of expectation that God will reward (as He sees fit) your generosity. 
  • Giving breaks the power of money, especially during the Holidays.
  • 2 Corinthians 9:7 – Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
    • Decide what you are going to give.
    • Do not give with regret.
    • Do not give under pressure.
    • When doing this, do so with a cheerful heart/mind/spirit.
    • God love this type of gift and giver of the gift!

 

Next Steps

 

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