4 Questions to Guide You Through Giving Tuesday
GMT Admin • November 23, 2021
The concept of Giving Tuesday is an intentional effort to encourage people to be generous toward charitable causes, especially after just enjoying the sales of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. We want to encourage you to see Giving Tuesday as a way to live missionally, keeping local and global needs in mind.
A Guide to Giving Tuesday
1. Will you give on Giving Tuesday?
A simple "Yes" or "No" will get you out of the gate as you decide if you’ll share some of what you have. Thanks for asking yourself this critical question, and if you answer "Yes," we’re so glad you’ll participate in some way this year!
2. How much will you give?
Once you’ve decided to give, you’ll need to decide how much. Of course, there is no single answer that will work for everyone. Here are just a few options you can consider:
- A particular amount. For example, will you give exactly $20, $100, or $5,000? We recommend picking a simple, round number.
- A percentage. Perhaps you would prefer to give 1% or 5% or 10% of your next paycheck. Or 50% of your entertainment/dining out budget this month? Or a percentage of this month’s dividends?
- The same amount you spent on Black Friday and/or Cyber Monday. This may sound a bit radical, but thinking like this leads us into selfless generosity. You might also consider giving what you saved by shopping during those great sales.
- Give a consistent annual gift. If you gave last year, why not make it a trend by giving it again this year?
- Give again, but with an increase. All of us are facing inflation over time, and charities will be encouraged if you give last year’s amount a little boost to cover ever-rising costs.
There are lots of ways to decide how much you will give, but it’s helpful to have a specific amount in mind. We encourage you to pause here and pray. Jot down a number (or tap it into your phone). Get it in your head, and then move on to the next question.
3. To whom will you give?
You may have some familiar favorites: people or organizations you know already who would be blessed by your generosity. This is a great option that can help build further relationship over time. Scan your inbox over the last month to remind yourself of people and/or organizations that have been in touch with their needs. Here are some further ideas to stimulate your thinking:
- Local and global. There are serious needs in any community: local shelters for women or men, food banks and assistance programs, and hundreds of others. Mission agencies and humanitarian organizations around the world will also benefit from your generosity. Year end gifts like those made on Giving Tuesday can help catalyze and accelerate rescue and relief efforts.
- Short-term and long-term. There are some projects that need to happen right now, and others that will take years to complete – both are worthy considerations.
- Physical and spiritual. Some people are hungry, and at risk of not having adequate shelter. (I live in Canada, where our winters make this a serious concern.) And as Christians, we are burdened even more deeply by the spiritual needs of people. We desire that all will hear the Good News about Jesus’ saving work on the cross. The Great Commission is central to the purpose of believers everywhere.
Again, we encourage you to pause and pray. Let the Lord help you prioritize who to give to and decide how much you will give to each party.
4. How will you give?
- Snail Mail. The vast majority of charities are prepared to receive your donation via cheque in the mail. It takes a little longer to arrive (and adds the cost of a stamp) but is a reliable way to give.
- Credit Card. Most charities with websites will have “giving portals” clearly marked with a “Donate” or “Give Now” button. If not, it’s probably as near as a brief phone call to their office. Be aware that Credit Card companies charge a percentage of your donation (usually 2-3%) for handling. You may be able to “cover” these fees in the payment processing page, or set up a direct E-Transfer to avoid them altogether.
- Giving Apps or Texting. PayPal is increasingly used by charities to help keep fees to a minimum. Also, some telephone companies allow donors to text a donation, and add the donation amount to their mobile phone bill – you’ll need to inquire with your provider to get company-specific details.
You might want the organization or person to know you gave, or maybe not! Many organizations will help you give anonymously, if you prefer.
Once you’ve made your donation, say a quick prayer of blessing: may the Lord guide and bless the use of that donation, and bring good fruit that will last and glorify Him! (John 15:8)
Generosity can be contagious!
While we don’t recommend sharing exact amounts of donations, letting others around you know that you’ve decided to participate in Giving Tuesday can encourage them to do the same. You might do this through simple word of mouth, sharing the ideas at dinner for your family/kids to hear, or even posting on social media to let others know – not for your glory, but to lift awareness and invite others in.
Thanks for taking a little time to read through this brief guide on Giving Tuesday. If you have questions, or would like to include the Global Missions Toolbox in your giving plans, please reach out to our team here: info@globalmissionstoolbox.com.
The post Thinking Through Generous Giving appeared first on Global Missions Toolbox.
As we reflect on this, we want to say a big thank you to all of our listeners; whether you’ve been here from the start or if you’ve just discovered us, we’re so thankful for you! The reason we can provide resources like this is because of God’s grace and your commitment. To celebrate this milestone, we’ve put together a list of our top ten favourite podcast episodes for you to enjoy. We hope they will both encourage your heart and further equip you as you continue to explore your involvement in the Great Commission. Happy listening! 10. #040: Well Sent – What is the Church’s Role in Sending Missionaries? In this episode, we explore Steve Beirn’s book Well Sent and take a look at what church involvement looks like in missions. We discuss the key roles of the churches in being active participants in identifying and preparing potential missionaries in their congregations. You’ll also learn tips on how to better support missionaries overseas as well as the work they are doing. 9. #238: Loving the Pieces of Purple in Our Midst Michèle Phoenix dives into her own story to share personal experiences and practical insight on the challenges and beauty of growing up as a Missionary’s Kid. In her book Pieces of Purple, Michèle offers guidance for churches and individuals on how to better understand, support, and care for Third Culture Kids with empathy, intentionality, and grace. 8. #099: What is the Great Commission? Paul Borthwick, the author of Great Commission, Great Compassion, guides the listener into a deeper understanding of the Great Commission and how it can apply to all Christ-followers regardless of their own personal context. In this discussion, Paul shares practical advice and examples on how believers can be participating in the Great Commission in their daily lives. 7. #242: The Case for Co-Vocational Ministry This episode explores the growing movement of co-vocational ministry, which is a model that intentionally integrates one’s everyday work with missional engagement and can be applied to both local churches and global contexts. Dr. Brad Brisco takes this time to unpack the theology of work, clarify the differences between bi-vocational and co-vocational ministry, and share why this long-term approach can strengthen church planting, missionary sustainability, and missional imagination. 6. #065: Is Every Christian a Missionary? Denny Spitters and Matthew Ellison explore their book When Everything is Missions to help us re-discover what a missionary is. Pointing to Scripture, they challenge Christ-followers to be intentional in developing a biblical understanding of missions as they consider their own role in participating in the Great Commission. 5. #203: How Local Churches Can Care for Missionaries at Every Stage In this conversation, Ryan Martin shares different components of member care that churches can be involved in. He discusses aspects of what member care can look like during the pre-field, on-field, and post-field stages of a missionary’s life, and this episode will help you spark ideas and take practical steps to care well for those who are sent by your church. 4. #128: 5 Things Everyone Should Understand About Missionaries Jonathan Trotter, co-author of Serving Well, helps the audience grow in their understanding of what life can be like for missionaries. Gleaning from his own experience as a mission worker and counselor, Jonathan shares five ideas that can help sending churches better empathize with and support their cross-cultural workers as they walk through life alongside them. 3. #179: Sending Churches and Partner Agencies: Finding a Great Match Ellen Livingood, founder and director of Catalyst Services, shares from her own experiences about what factors should contribute to a church’s decision of which mission agency to partner with. Ellen takes a look into this decision making process and provides several helpful questions that will guide your church as they navigate these important choices. 2. #121: 3 Principles for Growing a Healthy Church Pastor Bradley Bell of The Upstream Collective highlights some tools that are specifically designed for pastors and church leaders to help them lead their church in missions. Our host, Mags, and Bradley discuss three elements that characterize a healthy sending church along with practical resources that can help busy church leaders be more effective in their missions ministry. 1. #166: What does the Bible Say About Missions? Author of On Mission Together: Integrating Missions into the Local Church, Richard Noble, shares his insights on the biblical foundations for missions throughout the Old and New Testaments. Through an in-depth exploration into the theology of missions, you will be encouraged and inspired as this episode reflects on God’s promises and commands throughout Scripture. Once again, thank you so much for your support! We’re committed to providing excellent resources for you and your church, so feel free to check out our other podcasts and blogs. As always, if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, we would love to connect with you; feel free to reach out at info@globalmissionstoolbox.com.
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