Cap and Trade: All Increases Converted to Heavenly Riches

I was very challenged by something I read** on a flight to Cleveland this week. It was a biographical article about the generous life of John Wesley. I'm sure there are better biographies on him, but I recommend this article for its brevity and well-organized outline of some of the more notable aspects of his life (practice) and preaching on the subject of money and giving.

What blew me away was the degree to which he internalized things which Jesus and the Apostles taught. What is plainly seen in the Scriptures was so fully embraced by John, that it is rather shocking.

In summary, he got to a point where he committed to cap his spending at a fairly low level, and whatever extra came in after that, he would give it all away.

By why should I be shocked by his example? Is it because I feel the call to rise to a similar level of trust in God, expressed through generosity, but am as yet unwilling? Hmmm... Selah... Ouch.

In my work with high-net worth individuals, on behalf of an exceptional Christian ministry, I am privileged to know several individuals and families who have made similar commitments. I think of one young man who has great inherited wealth and has handed over control of around 80% of all that God has given him, putting it into a charitable trust that can only be used for gifting... and many similar stories of people who are indeed rising to a level like John Wesley.

Oh that I and many others would have faith like this. Lord Jesus, help (compel) us to live according to all the trust and joy you have in mind for us!

Other things that impacted me from Wesley's example (blog posts to come):

1) He was pro-business, arguing that to set up profitable endeavors was good stewardship.
2) He believed in giving during your lifetime, versus giving after you're gone. I'm not sure about this, seeing value in both. But I want to explore his thoughts more.

** This article is intended for the most mature of givers, what some call "Giving Champions." Do not be discouraged if the article seems, form your perspective, to be calling to a kind of giving/trust that you are not ready for. Instead, check out a great Web site (www.givingjourney.com) which is built around the idea that growing in generosity, like all spiritual growth, is a process, and there are stages. The creators of this site recognize four stages, and have created actionable suggested items for each stage, including things to read, and things to do. I highly recommend, no matter where you are in terms of being generous, that you click on one of the four stages:

1. Emerging Giver
   
2. Maturing Giver
3. Generous Giver
   
4. Giving Champion

I intend to share more on these stages soon...

The Artful Journey

This year, to sharpen the saw, I'm setting aside a little time each Monday to read "The Artful Journey" by William Sturtevant. If you are a someone who has the privilege of working with people who have means, encouraging them to abound in graciousness, I consider it a must-read.

I received my copy from the VP of Advancement of one of the country's largest not-for-profits who said it was the best book he'd found in his 30+ years working with major donors.

But if you have a line on one for less than Amazon's lowest price, then please comment on this post with the link. Thanks!

Downsize for Christ's Sake

This article from The Gathering tells a story of a family that made an unusual, but very realistic decision to downsize their house, in order to give away 1/2 of their wealth.

I don't know this particular family, but I do know first hand more than one such family that has made the same decision. I'm compelled to consider it for myself.

By my rough calculation, if 1% of the population in America who made any charitable gift last year were to make this same decision to liquidate their main asset and give away half of their wealth, then the total* given by all US givers would increase by 2.5 X (250%) !

* Let me reiterate: Even if 99% of US givers kept their giving this year exactly the same as last year, the effect of the 1% going from normal giving to the "1/2 my wealth" standard would make the cumulative US giving go up by 2.5 times.

Okay, so you are thinking (and so am I) that it is just not going to happen that 3 million people (1% of our rounded US population) is going to follow suit...

But what about at a micro-level? What about your church family? Could 1% of the people you worship with take this step of faith? Could you? ... Could I?

Stair rail in progress

Joshua Harber

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

Island Countertop Installed

Joshua Harber
-- Sent from my Palm Prē

The Drywall is up!

It is amazing how quickly the drywall goes up!  These show Nathans new room, the archway leading to the new kitchen, and the new future master bedroom.  

Siding finished

New photos of the North and South sides of the house.  Notice Nathans new window in the "old" part of the   South side.