Charitable Giving: Investing in Solutions, not Servitude

I was watching Dan Pollotta's TED talk on charitable giving practices and I have to agree with his assessment of current misconceptions on compensation for non-profit leadership (this includes public service, teachers, public safety and pastoral/missionary service in my opinion). 

One key business principle stands out, you have to invest more to make more (i.e. money follows money). If we short change our giving practices we are more likely to see short lived change in our "charity" work.

I believe the Apostle Paul understood this principle of giving freely as well...

6Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galations 6:6-10)

The translation of "communicate" includes the idea of giving more than just words, but also of resources. Give (communicate) good things... give beyond what you are able (Not be weary)... give anytime you are able (opportunity)... give to the benefit of both believers and non-believers (all men). I don't see anything in this passage about giving only to feed the poor, cloth them with the cheapest clothes, or to help them give a cheap apartment. The direction is to give, give freely, give to those who don't deserve it (especially to those who are believers and teachers).

I think the hardest example of giving to follow is the giving that Christ instructed believers to follow:

40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. (Matthew 5:40-42)

(Makes it hard to turn down the cold call donation asks. This kind of living is certainly a measure of our faith, to balance stewardship and to be a generous giver.)

This approach to giving is not a silver bullet to solve all of the challenges we face in our societies but definitely worth considering.

(By the way, Dan Pollotta is speaking on his book in Downtown Norfolk this month. More information here: TCC Roper Center.)

For Dan Pollotta's TED Talk: Dan Pallotta TED Talk