Christian Call to Generosity: Giving, Even When It Hurts

Earlier in August, there was much media fanfare about Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and other American billionaires who pledged to give away at least 50% of their fortunes to charity. While the philanthropic example of these American billionaires is somewhat instructive, Christians are called to do more than the Buffets and Gates of the world. Rather than merely give from our surplus, we should follow the example of the poor widow in Mark 12:41 and, during these difficult economic times, give even when it hurts.

P>PHOENIX, AZ (Catholic Online) - Earlier in August, there was much media fanfare about Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and other American billionaires who pledged to give away at least 50% of their fortunes to charity. Microsoft founder Bill Gates spearheaded this philanthropic effort called The Giving Pledge Campaign.  Billionaires signing on to this program agreed to give away most of their wealth during their lifetime or after their death and to publicly state their intention with a letter of explanation.

A number of the billionaires getting on board with this giving campaign had some interesting things to say about why they were giving away part of their fortunes. 

New York Mayor and financial media mogul Michael Bloomberg explained why he planned on giving away most of his wealth saying "Making a difference in people's lives - and seeing it with your own eyes - is perhaps the most satisfying thing you'll ever do."

Energy Tycoon T. Boone Pickens said in his Giving Pledge letter. "I enjoy giving money away. I'm not a big fan of inherited wealth. It generally does more harm than good."

There is wisdom in these comments that the Christian community can take to heart.  I have been doing estate planning and philanthropic planning in the Christian community for over 25 years now. It never ceases to surprise me how many Christians shirk from giving generously when they do their estate planning or financial planning.

As Christians, we are certainly called to give generously. Matthew 6:19 tells us "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy and thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.For where your treasure is, there also your heart be." 

While the philanthropic example of these American billionaires is somewhat instructive, Christians are called to do more charity-wise than the Buffets and Gates of the world.  Rather than merely give from our surplus we should follow the example of the poor widown in Mark 12:41 and, during these difficult economic times, give even when it hurts. 

In this scripture, Jesus was more moved by the two coins given up by the poor widow than the much larger sums given by rich people. This is because the rich people gave from their surplus wealth but the poor widow contributed all she had.

The poor widow made a sacrificial gift which, in God's eyes, counts for much more than the gifts of surplus made by these American billionaires.

However, many Catholics have tightened up their wallets and purses in this difficult economy and the result has been an across the board drop in giving to Catholic charities. Catholic nonprofits of all types, especially those that serve the poor, protect life and traditional marriage have been hard hit with steep drops in individual donations. In short, many Catholics over the last few years have shirked from their faithful obligation to engage in sacrificial giving. 

What a witness it would be for Catholics to reverse this trend and begin giving more of their time, talent and treasure in spite of the difficult economy.  For Catholics, one of the most important ways to manifest your faith is through generous giving to faith-based charities. For those who hear the call to support the Lord's work there are many additional ways to give in addition to making your weekly gift in the collection basket on Sunday. 

Usually, these giving strategies can be done in ways that are both tax-wise and manifest good Christian stewardship.  Good examples of this include gifts from retirement plan assets, gift annuities, charitable trusts and gifts from your estate plan. Regardless of one's current financial position, we can all respond more fully to the call to support Catholic charitable organizations.  Difficult economic times can test our faith and if we give even when it hurts we will pass the test.
 
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Mark Henry is a Catholic attorney, philanthropic advisor and speaker. He is a contrinuting writer for Catholic Online. His book Finish Faithful is available at Amazon.com.  He can be reached at mthenrysaz@gmail.com or http://markhenry-quovadis.blogspot.com/

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