A Generous New Year's Resolution

Proverbs 11:23-28

The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell. He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it. Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

In reflecting on this past year and preparing for the next year we ask ourselves what might we do different that would improve our ability to minister to our donors and volunteers.

Last week's post spoke of the scarcity mentality and the generosity mentality. It seems that this is a real problem for many of us as we face uncertain economic times. But, when were we not in times of uncertainty?

Last night a friend came over who, by his own admission, is living a drab existence. He is single and financially stable, but so worried about everything that he lives a "siege" existence. There is little joy and no real overarching purpose - other than to get through life as unscathed as possible. This is not God's purposes for our lives and I told him so.

As we continued the discussion, a pattern of prayer emerged:

1. Remind me Lord of what you have entrusted to me, both material and spiritual gifts.
2. Have me declare that these are available (and even required) to be used to bless others and to help them enjoy generous living.
3. Have me be more bold in asking people what they are living and saving for.
4. Guide me in helping others see their wealth so they can their opportunity to grow.
5. Challenge them to take a first step to becoming a generous steward and to what God will do.

Next week we hit the ground again. Let's do so with renewed purpose in the calling we have to expand the kingdom.

Remember, all the really hard work has already been done for us!

An Abundance Mentality vs. a Scarcity Mentality

This article by Dan Miller reminds us that scarcity and limited resources is a "zero sum" game that is not biblical.

I’m Happy to Help You – Unless… by Dan Miller 48Days.com

A friend and fellow coach asked me why I encourage and support so many other coaches when I could easily see them as "competitors."

I will borrow Stephen Covey's words from Seven Habits of Highly Successful People here:

"Most people are deeply scripted in what I call the Scarcity Mentality. They see life as having only so much, as though there were only one pie out there. And if someone were to get a big piece of the pie, it would mean less for everybody else.

The Scarcity Mentality is the zero-sum paradigm of life. People with a Scarcity Mentality have a very difficult time sharing recognition and credit, power or profit - even with those who help in the production. The also have a very hard time being genuinely happy for the success of other people.

The Abundance Mentality, on the other hand, flows out of a deep inner sense of personal worth and security. It is the paradigm that there is plenty out there and enough to spare for everybody. It results in sharing of prestige, of recognition, of profits, of decision making. It opens possibilities, options, alternatives, and creativity."

If you are a coach and find yourself depressed because someone else stays booked with higher fees, you're operating from the scarcity mentality. On the other hand, if someone tells you about his/her success and you get excited because that means you can probably move your own fees up, that's the abundance mentality at work.

The spirit of the interaction is critical. And this has little to do with one's current level of financial success. I have friends who make $25,000 a year who are genuinely thrilled at any success Joanne and I experience. And a few who while making millions convey the feeling that if I find a dollar in the parking lot it robs them personally of that dollar. Greedy, mean-spirited or angry people are likely operating out of a scarcity mentality. They see everything in terms of win-lose. There is only so much and if someone else gets it, that means there is less for them.

Success is not like a pie - where if you take a piece there is less for me. Rather, it is like you having a candle and you share your light to start mine as well. You still have 100% of your candle but together we throw off even more light. Someone with a scarcity mentality will want to extinguish your flame.

Clearly, this spirit is also tied to one's sense of self-worth and security. Those with a healthy self-esteem will encourage others, share praise and profits and give lots of recognition. Low self-esteem will trigger resentment at other's success and the attempt to undermine and pull them down.

I have always welcomed working with someone with an abundance mentality and have many times seen their financial success go on to supersede my own. And it caught me by surprise that helping other coaches be successful has produced financial rewards that bypass those of coaching actual clients. On the other hand, I chose not to work or spend time with people who are hanging on to a scarcity mentality.

1. In what ways do you have an abundance mentality?
2. What aspects of your life are operating from a scarcity mentality?
3. Can this model be used not only for business, but for family, social and religious life as well?

Generosity as a Good Word

We have a new parent at Tall Oaks who is very happy with the education her son is receiving at Tall Oaks Classical School and the partnership between school and family.

While they do not have much to give financially, this parent understands that tuition does not cover one hundred percent of the cost and wants to help do her part to provide financial aid.

So, armed with a letter describing the school's scholarship needs, she presented the case to her employer who, in turn, contributed $150 to help needy families. This parent used her good relationship with her employer to present us to someone who we would not have reached out to.

Armed with this success, she is now embarking on coordinating an all-school cookbook fundraiser like she has done in another venue.

Our work as stewardship officers is to help others see that they have something to contribute, time, talent, treasure, and a Good Word. God has been and is generous to distribute these. Our work is to help unearth them and to encourage generous living.

This week we remember the ultimate giving act - when the God of the universe deployed His Son, Jesus, to live among us and to experience the greatest gift of all , eternal life.

Merry Christmas!

Students Learn the Joy of Serving Others

Today I had the distinct pleasure of watching our choral and string ensembles offer their musical gifts to bless the lunch crowd at the local Senior Center. This center is not a retirement or nursing home, but a daytime community center for seniors who are still ambulatory and who want some activities and fellowship.

I told our students that they get to be good stewards of their instrumental and singing gifts by using them to bless the senior citizens and wishing them a Merry Christmas. Yes, they said the Christmas word and didn't even have to apologize.

Afterwards, the guests were very complimentary and we invited them to our all-school Christmas concert in one week. Some of them took brochures about the school to see what we were all about.

Stewardship and service are part of the fabric of the school. We want to be seen as a school who is a good steward of what we have been given. Then, we can legitimately invite others to also share what God has given them - all good gifts come from the Father.

As we strive to see others be generous with their blessings, let it begin with me.