Spread Too Thin - Time and Money (Part Deux)

Spread Too Thin - Time and Money (Part Deux)

The man who dies rich dies disgraced. —Andrew Carnegie

AT THE POWER OF THE PURSE event I learned important questions to ask myself to help me prioritize where to give.

What bothers you?

Are you giving to organizations that can bring about change to those issues that concern you the most?

What do you want to see changed in your lifetime?

Can the organization, given time and money, effect the change?

What are your passions?

Can you link your passion to what bothers you?

The second set of questions empowered me to track the results of those gifts:

How do you determine if the charity will be a good steward of your gift?

How do you ensure they are managing their resources well?

How do they measure the results of the services they deliver?

How do you shift your gifts when your concerns evolve over time?

Over the past couple of years, Steve and I have shifted our giving—aligning it to those causes we feel impact our society. By more thoughtfully investing in organizations we believe in, our giving is more than cheerful—we’re downright giddy when we write the check.

So what bothers me? The fact that mentally ill people often turn to drugs to self-medicate, leaving them homeless. How can I contribute in a meaningful way? Write a book.

As I mentioned in the introduction, 50 percent of my profits from this book will go directly to LifeNet, a nonprofit organization that provides mental and emotional services, substance abuse programs, housing, food, and jobs to “the least of these” in Dallas. Aligning my God-given dream of writing a book with a God-given call to help the homeless seems like a God-given solution to stretching my money, which is spread too thin. Isn’t it just amazing how God provides?

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Are you giving . . . cheerfully?