Spread Too Thin - Time and Money (Part Trois)

Spread Too Thin - Time and Money (Part Trois)

THE CONCEPT OF “checkbook” philanthropy—writing lots of small checks without having a deep concern for the cause—was raised by more than one speaker at the conference. That made me think as much about why I give as how I give.

One day, as I was visiting with the vice president of marketing for LifeNet, he mentioned in passing that, due to a temporary cash flow challenge, the organization was no longer providing coffee for the caseworkers, doctors, nurses, or other staff. I heard him when he said it—and then I heard his words echo in my ears every morning for the next five days as I walked into our office kitchen and poured myself my third cup of Starbucks. It was like being haunted by the ghost of Christmas past.

Finally, I marched down the hall to Steve and told him that the good people up the road, who were working for wages far below what they could earn in other fields, were sitting in their offices without coffee because the organization refused to cut back on any of the services for their needy clients. Steve said, “Call Ross now. Tell him I am writing a check—we’re calling it the Coffee Grant.”

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. (Luke 6:38)

A week later, Steve and I received a poster-sized, custom thank-you card with a picture of the staff at LifeNet lined up for their coffee and tea. That card is invaluable to us. Our gift was returned in smiling faces!

We can’t be all things to all people, and when we try, we fail to be important to anyone. I believe the same holds true of our charitable giving. If your time and money are spread too thin, determine whether you’re “passionately investing” in those charities that can bring about change. I bet that will make your giving so much sweeter!