A Great Expert to Answer a Great Question
This was a great question from Sarah. I invited my dear friend, Zenet Maramara of the Asian Theological Seminary (ATS) in Manila, for her perspective. During her tenure, Zenet has led ATS from relying primarily on foreign funds to receiving a staggering 99 percent of funds from Filipino givers. She knows what she’s talking about!
Several givers have asked, “How can I teach my children about generosity?” Emyra from Indonesia wrote to ask specifically about very young children. She wrote, “How do I involve my family in giving? Especially my 3.5-year-old son?”
First Things First: Discipling Children.
The question behind the question is “How do we pass the life-giving Gospel of Jesus to our children?” Once they grasp the Gospel, they can’t help but become givers.
I asked my friend Niel in Jakarta about this.
The release of “Joy Giving” has invited deep and thoughtful questions from givers. Many givers have asked how they can encourage their families toward giving and create a family legacy of generosity. David Green, is the founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby, a large American retailer, and the author of Giving It All Away… and Getting It All Back Again. David spoke at our Celebration of Generosity in Hong Kong just a few months ago and has been a great friend to Generosity Path. David once wrote a short piece […]
Each month, we introduce you to a Christian who is on the generosity path, and we ask them what God’s taught them about giving. This month, meet Christus Frank Antony from India. 1. Gratitude Melts the Heart. Never underestimate the power of a “thank you.” Christus tells the story that launched his family onto a generosity path: “We were finishing Sunday worship and coming out of church. The church has a home for Physically and Mentally challenged poor children on the premises. These children were standing at the gate collecting […]
I’m afraid that if I give more, I won’t have enough to meet my own needs.
The release of “Joy Giving” has invited deep and thoughtful questions from givers. Jarod from South Africa writes, “How do I get over the fear of lack and not being able to pay bills if I give a certain amount when it comes to giving?”
Jarod goes on to say, “My heart is the issue. How do I open my heart to being generous and more considerate of others than of myself?”
Even as he wrestles with his own heart, Jarod shared this story from his own life:
Adelia wrote from Indonesia this month, asking, “How do I determine the ministry that God wants me to give to?” She’s prayed and determined what the right lifestyle is. She’s cared for the needs of her immediate family and given generously to her local church. But she wants to go beyond.
The release of “Joy Giving” has invited deep and thoughtful questions from givers. Two givers have recently come into large amounts of wealth and emailed to ask the question above.
Barry is a giver in the UK. He took his family to the developing world. He made his wealth in the tech industry and has a vision to disciple his children in generosity. Here’s how Barry (not his real name) describes his situation when he travel with his children, ages 16 down to 8:
We have brought the kids – the main things we do are exposing them to people in need. We want them to realize that we have more than we need, and we need to share. I want them to develop some compassion.
But they have not yet stepped up to thinking that strategically around giving.
Each month, we introduce you to a Christian who is on the generosity path, and we ask them what God’s taught them about giving.
This month, meet Imre Somody from Hungary.
“I became successful quickly,” says Imre. “I was an atheist then and I started a business in 1988 and I sold it in 1996 for millions of dollars. Most of the business leaders are happy when they have millions. That’s usually the end of the story.” Imre wondered what to do with his newfound wealth…
“I have a business question for you,” said Rajiv (not his real name) as I sat in his kitchen. “How ambitious is it OK to be?”
Rajiv has been growing his business steadily. God has blessed it in remarkable ways. The business how has assets of about $10 million USD, generating revenue of $1 million. And Rajiv has the chance to take on a new piece of land that would grow his assets to about $15 million and take his revenues up to over $1.4 million.
But there’s a catch…
