Category Archives: giving

We Believe… in Transformational Giving.

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Psalm 24:1 tells us, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” 

Last month we looked back on the Fifth Credo of the Stewardship Foundation — belief in the sanctity of human life, marriage between one man and one woman, sexual morality, religious freedom, and the rights of conscience. Our June message focused on the moral liberalism rampant in today’s society and in the press’s coverage of events. If you missed it, read it here.

This month we return to our First Credo, transformational giving. The one guiding question that permeates our thinking at the Stewardship Foundation is “where is your heart?” Within this question several others beg to be asked, such as, “what is the treasure you seek?”; “how much wealth is enough for you and your family?” and, “what does God expect of you?”

We encourage our clients to examine their giving motives, to more deeply explore where their hearts are leading them. It’s been said that what motivates us is revealed when we examine how we spend our time, and where we spend our money. Our purpose is to help connect our clients with the worthy charities and nonprofits that advance these passions and individual motivations.

Stewardship is a theological belief that humans are responsible for the world and should take care and look after it; to use and manage the resources given by God for His glory and the betterments of His creation. So how does it work?

We believe that Stewardship works when you identify where your hearts and passions lead you; when they are willing to seek, and share the treasure God desires for you. Stewardship works when you realistically define what is necessary to provide for your family now and in the future, and, most importantly, stewardship works when you honor what God expects of you.

This journey of financial stewardship involves a process of understanding, acknowledging, accepting, and acting. We embrace the opportunity to partner with you on this journey. Please share this message with like-minded friends and family, and call us at (614) 800-7985.

How the Pandemic Changed Charitable Giving

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An elderly gentleman friend of mine is a faithful churchgoer. I happened to run into him recently (not literally of course, we were both out walking and wearing our face masks). He mentioned that he was feeling a bit guilty because he was not placing an offering in the basket at church each week. In fact, he hadn’t attended church since before Easter due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

I mentioned that his church may have an online platform to receive donations. He replied that he not only didn’t know whether it did — he didn’t even know whether his church had a website! “Let’s see,” I said, taking my cellphone from my pocket. His church did have a website, and did take donations online. 

“Oh my,” he continued. “I’ll have to have my grandson come over and help me make my usual donation. I might not be going to church, but the work of the church continues even with this virus. In fact, they may need my stewardship now more than ever!” 

We parted ways, but it left me thinking. What about our church families who may have lost their jobs, or have had extra medical expenses? Who is helping them? How many individuals and families quit giving because they quit going? Who is making the excuse that giving online is too difficult or not safe? 

What I found was heartening. It says a lot about Americans that, according to a study by Fidelity Charitable, most donors are maintaining — or even increasing — charitable giving during Covid.

According to the survey:

  • Volunteer hours decreased as people were urged to to stay home.
  • Most donors are worried about nonprofits’ ability to operate during these times.
  • Donors are likely to continue giving, especially to the same organizations.

The same study mentions that Donor-Advised Fund donors are taking COVID-19 into account in their giving, and most are staying the course and trusting their fund managers to make good choices during this pandemic period.

We find that people long for ways to connect with others during the pandemic. It’s a human motivation that is serving our national interests while making us feel better about ourselves. God “is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow” [Heb 13:8] and His work is never-ending. And it seems that both donors and DAF managers are walking in His footsteps.