So you’d like to give more, but you don’t know how? Good news! If money’s scarce, it doesn’t mean your giving has to be. We’ll give you some ways you can give without money, on Faith and Finance.
So you’d like to give more, but you don’t know how? Good news! If money’s scarce, it doesn’t mean your giving has to be. We’ll give you some ways you can give without money, on Faith and Finance.
Hebrews 13:16 reads, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” It doesn’t say, “unless you’re broke.”
One of God’s financial— and spiritual— principles that isn’t talked about enough is that God gives an extra measure of blessing for sacrificial giving.
Listen to Luke 21:1-5: “Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
This reveals an opportunity to be even more generous even if you don’t have another dime to spare. You can give sacrificially in any number of ways without money … and here are several suggestions that barely scratch the surface:
GIVING OF YOUR TIME AND TALENTS
Obviously, the first is to give time to your local church. There are any number of ways to serve. Is there a missions committee that you might serve on? Maybe you can teach a Sunday School class. If you don’t feel confident teaching adults, how about a children’s class? Or you could weed flower beds outside the church or rake leaves. One sure way to find something to do at your church is to ask a deacon what they need help with. You’ll probably get a long list!
Another way to serve your church is to visit members when they’re in the hospital. An hour of your time could be the highlight of someone’s day. Another idea is volunteering to babysit for parents in your church who need a break from the kids.
You can also do volunteer work in your neighborhood and community. Are there elderly shut-ins in your area that would enjoy a visit? While you’re at it, ask if they need any work done. You could help out around the yard, shovel snow, or maybe pick up groceries for them. Use the opportunity to advance God’s Kingdom and offer to take them to church, if that’s possible.
You can also have a positive impact on the lives of people without even leaving your home. Set up your own ministry of sending cards or handwritten letters to folks who need a few words of encouragement. Include a Scripture verse that shows the love of Christ.
Do you have a van, truck or trailer? Use those resources God gave you to help others by doing some volunteer hauling. Maybe someone you know or hear about is moving. Show up and offer to help. To say they’ll be surprised is an understatement!
God has given each of us special skills. Are you good with computers? Maybe you’re a graphic designer, an electrician, or a dentist. Donate your skills and talents, first within your church to folks who need help, then in your community— and again, use the opportunities this prevents to share the Gospel.
Do you keep a garden? If so, you may have extra fruits and vegetables to give away. Make care packages of your extra homegrown foods to share with folks in your church, friends and neighbors. Never let anything go to waste.
HOUSEHOLD GOODS
Take a look in your closets, garage or basement. Do you have items that you haven’t used in quite awhile? If you don’t need them, donate them— preferably to a Christian charity like the Salvation Army.
And by the way, you may be throwing away things that some ministry can use. A food bank or a thrift store can recycle your plastic shopping bags, saving them money.
You can also donate unused Bibles and other Christian books. There are several international ministries that accept and distribute these materials in places where believers are starving to read and learn God’s Word.
Love Packages and Christian Resources International are two ministries that will take and distribute your unused Bibles and Christian materials globally. We’ll put links to them in today's show notes. But also check with local homeless shelters, many of which accept Bibles and other Christian material.
OTHER GIVING
Now here’s one way you can give to God’s Kingdom that you never thought of— give blood. How does that help the Kingdom? They say that every pint of blood donated saves three lives.
Those are three more people who’ll live another day for the Holy Spirit to touch their hearts with the truth of the Gospel— saving them for eternity. Visit RedCrossBlood.org for details on where and when you can donate blood.
PRAY!
Now, perhaps the most important way you can give to the Kingdom is to pray. If your church has a prayer group, show up and participate. But also, pray individually for your church, your family, friends, and neighbors. Pray for our elected leaders, that they would govern in a godly way.
Okay, those are ways you can be generous, even if you’re broke. We hope you’ll take advantage of them!
On this program, Rob also answers listener questions:
How do you go about diversifying your investments at a young age?
When should you pull out of the market when stocks are down or wait for investments to rebound?
How does a qualified charitable distribution affect your taxes?
Are you able to rent out a timeshare to help cover ongoing fees?
Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Also, visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community, and give as we expand our outreach.
