Stewardship and the Ultra Rich

Conde’ Nast Portfolio published a feature article called “The Generosity Index” in their November issue.  This profiles the upper tier of philanthropy in the U.S., complete with a ranking of the wealth and generosity of billionaires whose giving is known to the public.  They are quick to point out that the list may not include billionaires who choose to do their giving in private (apparently a sizable number of the wealthiest choose to remain anonymous).  As Scripture says, do not announce your charitable deeds with trumpets (Matthew 6:2); I wondered if that was what they were thinking.

During this time of great economic uncertainty, the ultra rich could seize an opportunity to set an example of generosity.  But do they?  As I looked over the short profiles of these billionaires, I saw that their gifts were directed largely toward three areas:  education, the arts, and health care.  Poverty and the environment come in there in lower numbers.  Curiously absent from these profiles was any major giving to religious causes.  It almost seems that the ultra rich want to play God instead of lending their largess to those ministries doing the Lord’s work here on earth.

A theme that emerges from this article is that the rich give to try to outdo one another.  One fundraising consultant summed it up, “Successful men and women want to outdo other successful men and women.”  One possible result of this one-upmanship is philanthropic dollar inflation.  In other words, an eight-figure gift can’t get you any respect these days.  The consultants are saying you have to have a $100 million gift in order for your charity to upgrade.  The billionaires are coughing up more, but doing it over a multi-year period in order to get into the category of nine figures.

I have wondered many times whether philanthropy on these levels really accomplishes much.  It seems that billions have been spent in the name of finding cures, increasing scholarship, and defining quality in the arts.  What has been the lasting effect?  One has to wonder.  I remember reading something by economist and educator Howard Bowen written back in the 1970s that dealt with “the revenue theory of cost” in higher education.  Essentially, this theory stated that in higher education the costs will always rise in accordance with how much money can be gotten or raised. Bowen argued in his works that the economics of higher education centered not on profit motives, but rather on prestige and increasing the quality of students’ educational experience.  I would argue that prestige might be the number one factor in organizations seeking larger and larger gifts.  It seems the one-upmanship of the givers has been transferred to the charitable organizations they lavishly support.

Should the next generation look to these billionaires as embodiments of stewardship?  My thinking is that we might learn from these folks, but the true lessons learned are by being faithful with the amounts we have—whether large or small.  The Lord looks on the heart.  I wonder what the hearts of some of these rich look like and I hope that they one day might experience the heart change that Christ has to offer.  Let’s learn to give from the heart, and not from our desire to attract the admiration of men.

Responding to Economic Uncertainty–Some Practical Tips

After seeing the Presidential debate last night, I felt a little uneasy.  Yes, the primary topic was the economy and I was not real sure if either candidate knew a proper solution to our current situation.  In fact, I was hoping to hear someone invoke the need for prayer and how we need to rely on God during these times.  There was never a mention of appealing to God about anything.  I wondered who were the candidates’ primary economic advisors.   We listened for reassuring words and got nothing.

As a believer, we know we are stewards of God’s things so why worry?  In Him is the assurance we need.  Happiness is not based on what we have and do but rather on who we are in Christ.  We keep telling ourselves these things during tough times, however the uneasiness creeps in.  What are some practical things to do now to help us respond to the economic uncertainty we see?

1.  Resist the urge to compartmentalize. Compartmentalization leads to reliance on self rather than reliance on our Lord.  If you take all of the areas of life, i.e. family, finances, jobs, hobbies, church, friends, there is a tendency to keep some of these areas separate from the others.  It is like we are not an integrated whole.  When we place all these things with Christ at the center, then we move away from compartmentalization and see our lives as integrated wholes in Christ.  Finances probably fall into the compartmentalization problem more than others just by its nature.  Resist the tendency and lean on the Everlasting Arms.

2.  Focus on the attributes of God. I have been so encouraged by reading through passages of Scripture referring to the attributes of God.  Our God is faithful, He is love, He is truth, He is good, He is wise, He is omnipotent, He is omniscient, and He is patient.  Because of who He is, we have stability, we have certainty, we have hope, and we have assurance.  I would encourage anyone to take time to go through key passages in the Bible and rest in knowing that we serve a God who truly cares for us as we face the issues of the day.  As Psalm 121:1-2 expresses, “. . . where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

3.  Give yourself first. This may sound simple.  I recommend keeping it simple.  Reach out to others during this time and give of yourself.  Fellowship and sharing are good for the soul.  We need more of this during times like these.  Also, give yourself first to the Lord before you stress over stewardship issues.  Just like the Macedonians that Paul commended in 2 Corinthians 8:5, they gave themselves first to the Lord and this undergirded their generosity in all matters.  Uncertainty fades away when we know others are experiencing similar things.

4.  Remind yourself where your devotion is. I always say, “when you love, you give.”  This is an underlying stewardship principle.  Don’t stop giving in troubled times.  Find ways to give.  Giving expresses devotion, trust, reliance, honor, dependence, and gratitude to the Lord.  This is not the time to argue about topics like tithing and investing.  Merely give and show your devotion to He who is greater than all these things.

This list could go on and I would encourage you to personalize your list of ways to combat the uncertainty of today’s economy.  Make the list, and then put it into practice!

Soap and Toothpaste: A Testimony About Giving

I ran across an old book the other day titled Spiritual Life Through Tithing by Ernest Thomas. Glancing through the book I saw a brief paragraph about William Colgate, the founder of the Colgate-Polmalive Company, maker of soaps and dental-care products. I thought it might be useful to share this paragraph about Mr. Colgate:

“William Colgate was a tither throughout his long and successful business career. He gave not merely one-tenth of the earnings of Colgate’s soap products; but he gave two-tenths, then three-tenths, and finally five-tenths of all his income to the work of God in the world. During the later days of his life he revealed the origin of his devotion to the idea of tithing. When he was sixteen years old he left home to find employment in New York City. He had previously worked in a soap manufacturing shop. When he told the captain of the canal boat upon which he was traveling that he planned to make soap in New York City the man gave him this advice: ‘Someone will soon be the leading soap maker in New York. You can be that person. But you must never lose sight of the fact that the soap you make has been given to you by God. Honor Him by sharing what you earn. Begin by tithing all you receive.’ William Colgate felt the urge to tithe because he recognized that God was the giver of all that he possessed, not only of opportunity, but even of the elements which were used in the manufacture of his products.”

William Colgate died in 1857 but left behind a company that is successful to this day and a college that bears his name. What can we learn about stewardship from Mr. Colgate? Many things. Colgate not only believed in tithing but also believed in giving in an increasing measure over his life. It was not enough to give a tenth—Colgate wanted to express his love for the Lord by giving an increasing amount to the Lord’s work. Also, Colgate heard a testimony about tithing from someone who believed in it. This captain of the canal boat undoubtedly understood what it meant to tithe and it was his personal testimony that encouraged Colgate. Finally, Colgate recognized that by tithing he gave back to God who was the giver of all he possessed. God owns it all and Colgate learned this important lesson early in his life.

Do you believe in tithing as a personal testimony to the Lord’s goodness toward you? I think today’s church would benefit greatly by sharing more testimonies about tithing and giving as practical necessities for the Christian. Tithing involves personal surrender and sacrifice and has the potential to help us perhaps counter the rampant secularism and materialism of our society. I would encourage you to pray how the Lord may be directing you in this area of your spiritual life. Next time you brush your teeth, remember Colgate’s testimony.

A Fresh Perspective on Spending and Giving

“I’ve always said that one of the most boring things to do with money is spend it,” expressed philanthropist Robert Wilson in a recent article from The Chronicle of Philanthropy. I had to check myself on this. After paying the recent round of bills, I realized Mr. Wilson’s statement contained more than an ounce of truth.

Well, what about giving money away? Does it have to be boring? Are my decisions to give filled with joy and anticipation, or with routine angst? As a Christ follower, I would like to suggest that both your spending and giving could be joyous opportunities with a fresh perspective.

The lesson comes from the passage in 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 dealing with the generous giving of the Macedonian churches. Reading this passage reveals an equation that doesn’t make sense: affliction = abundance + abounding. According to this passage, joy and liberality in giving was produced out of affliction. The Macedonian churches gave beyond their ability to support the ministry of the church planters led by Paul and Titus. This resulted in an abundance for the work and an abounding in knowledge, diligence, and love.

The key appears in verse 5—they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to the church. Many times when we teach the basics of stewardship we begin with the concept that God owns it all. Well, He does (Psalm 24) but stewardship training may be more effective if we teach to give ourselves to the Lord first. Giving ourselves means surrendering our wills to His will, putting the Lord first in all the things we do. Seeking His will in prayer, through the reading of God’s Word, and through fellowship with other believers contributes to our model for stewardship. The Macedonians gave themselves first to the Lord and look at the abundance that they gave out of their poverty.

I know the thinking—that if God owns it all, we will not argue about what to give. But if I do not first give myself to the Lord, then how will I know that He owns it all and that He wants me to support His work? My encouragement to the next generation of Christ Followers is to first give yourselves to the Lord, then to the work of the ministry of the church, and you will see great things happen in your stewardship and in your walk with the Lord.