FOCUS

Personal Giving

"Freely you have received; freely give." (Matthew 10:8) 

1. Share Your Time

2. Share Your Talents

3. Share Your Resources

4. Practice Generosity in Everyday Life

5. Cultivate a Generous Heart

6. Generosity in Relationships

7. Generosity in Faith

8. Sustainable Generosity

Step 1: Identify Your Giving Priorities

Reflect on the areas or causes you feel most passionate about:

1. Community Needs: Food security, homelessness, or education.

2. Global Impact: Clean water, disaster relief, or health initiatives.

3. Faith-Based Giving: Support your church, mission organizations, or Bible translation efforts.

4. Environmental Causes: Conservation, climate action, or sustainable practices.

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Step 2: Determine Your Resources

1. Financial Giving: Set a percentage of your income or a monthly amount you can consistently give.

2. Time: Allocate time to volunteer or serve in areas aligned with your values.

3. Talents: Use your skills to support causes (e.g., graphic design for nonprofits, tutoring children).

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Step 3: Create a Plan

- Set a Budget: Decide how much you’ll give to each priority (e.g., 50% to church, 25% to global causes, 25% to community needs).

- Schedule Giving: Automate donations to ensure consistency and reduce stress.

- Track Impact: Keep a record of the organizations you support and the outcomes of your contributions.

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Step 4: Start Small and Scale Up

- Begin with manageable amounts or efforts.

- Regularly evaluate and adjust your plan as your capacity changes.

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Step 5: Explore Trusted Organizations

Here are some examples of reputable organizations you can support based on various causes:

Community Needs

- Feeding America: A nationwide network of food banks addressing hunger in the U.S.

- Habitat for Humanity: Builds affordable housing for families in need.

Global Impact

- World Vision: Sponsors children, provides disaster relief, and empowers communities worldwide.

- Charity: Water: Funds clean water projects in developing countries.

- Doctors Without Borders: Provides medical aid in crisis zones.

Faith-Based Organizations

- Compassion International: Sponsors children and shares the gospel.

- Wycliffe Bible Translators: Translates the Bible into languages without a written Scripture.

- Samaritan’s Purse: Offers disaster relief and evangelism through practical aid.

Environmental Causes

- The Nature Conservancy: Focuses on conservation and protecting natural resources.

- Plant with Purpose: Combines environmental restoration with empowering farmers in poverty-stricken areas.

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Step 6: Personal Giving Practices

1. Support Local Efforts: Look for grassroots organizations, churches, or shelters in your community.

2. Spontaneous Giving: Keep some funds or items (e.g., blessing bags) for unexpected opportunities to help.

3. Invest in Relationships: Treat generosity as a way to build stronger connections.

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Step 7: Reflect and Celebrate

- Take time to pray and reflect on how your giving aligns with your faith and values.

- Celebrate the impact you’re making, both big and small.