Written by Joe E. Hines, Jr., Managing Parter of Global View Investment Advisors
Giving is Freedom
As a child, at the age of eight, I accepted Christ. However, it was 32 years later when I totally surrendered my life to Him. Since that time God has continued to take me on a journey and open my eyes to what it truly means to be a follower of Christ. It is awesome and beautiful, but very challenging at times.
A huge part of this journey is learning how to be a responsive steward of the resources that He's entrusted to me, including relationships, marriage, abilities, and finances. God has shown me that I don't “owe” Him 10% but rather He owns 100%. I am simply a steward or trustee of those resources.
I believe that the act of giving benefits the giver as much or more than it does the receiver. Jesus was asked in Matthew 22, what is the greatest commandment? He said to love God first and then, love our neighbor (paraphrased). By giving to others, it takes the focus off us and places it on God and others. The desire to give grows. Then, what happens? The desire for worldly things starts to diminish. I believe this is part of the process of finding contentment in Christ.
Put Into Action
As I receive compensation from my company, I transfer funds directly to my Donor Advised Fund (DAF). This allows me to relinquish ownership immediately but to give it out over the next few months. I know that I can't leave it in my personal accounts because my human nature (my flesh) desires to hold on to those funds for selfish reasons. But, once it's placed in my DAF, I can give freely to others without any reservation. There is a reason God tells us to give from our first fruits, without delay.
As a financial advisor, I have the honor of walking with others along their journey of stewarding financial resources. Often our conversations are not financially centered but centered around specific life goals. I love when our conversations go straight to the core of advancing God’s Kingdom, by being the hands and feet of Jesus or supporting ministries that are.
Sometimes these funds are from years of saving, the sale of a business, or an inheritance. The DAF has allowed my clients to take advantage of tax-saving opportunities, a way to streamline their giving process or create a vehicle to involve the entire family.
Teaching the Next Generation
Several years back I helped a client create a DAF for each of her adult children and their spouses. Rather than leaving a larger amount at her death, she wanted to see them experience the joy of giving now. She generously funded each and presented it to them at Christmas. Her daughter-in-law cried for forty-five minutes because of this incredible opportunity given to them.
Finding Joy in Giving
Our giving should be out of obedience, which is a reflection of our love for Jesus.
If giving is new to you and you feel reluctant, just start. Ask God how much and where to give. Be ready for your world to be rocked! You will likely be asking the question, “How can I give more?”