Generosity Path — How Do Different Cultures Respond?
First some background on Generosity Path … Generous Giving Started by four friends in 2000 “Journey of Generosity” Overnight retreat among friends Safe environment Fully funded by the Maclellan Foundation Scale More than 300 JOGs in N. America & 80-100 internationally. Generosity Path works outside of N. America Results! $1.2 billion incremental giving; $54,000 per participant
God has given us a process that works — Why does it work?
Why does it work … ? The way adults learn Facilitated conversation Listening to God We offer inspiration and space Stories Video examples of radical generosity by rich & poor Scripture God’s Word speaks powerfully about giving Rinse & repeat Group interaction & listening to the Spirit Works every time!
Observations Among Different Cultures
Overview Cultural dynamics show up in giving! Scripture affirms some aspects of each culture’s approach to giving. Scripture pushes against other aspects of each culture’s approach to giving.
What money means to us … Men It’s a score card & it’s competitive; this seems to cross cultures Security for me & my family — especially in Women cultures with high gender disparity
Generational views on giving … First generation Tends to be open-handed; a biblical sense that my wealth comes from God and I should be generous with His money Second & third generations More closed-handed; a fear of the inability to create wealth, so the tendency to try hold on
“Role” in wealth management… Business owners First instinct is to be more generous to “their people” as they build the business. Investors Prefer a ”portfolio” of giving opportunities Professionals Are often systematic in their giving (think spreadsheets), but get joy from being spontaneous
Reasons we love money... The West What I can have — things or experiences China How I show worth or value through providing for family India The amount of land or property I can acquire It’s all about identity! Matthew 6:21
Hindrances to generosity... China Whom can I trust? How can I transfer funds without raising suspicion? Korea What is the standard? How do I get a “A” in giving? Indonesia Does the church use my money well? Pastor is rich! S. Africa/L. America I’ve been burned by the “prosperity gospel"
Who’s involved in giving ...? Giving is an individual and unilateral decision. West I have financial advisors, but no one advises me on my lifestyle or my giving. Asia Generally, I give to the church. They decide how to use the money. I’m helping to build the family Latin America business, and we will decide together how to give.
Views of the church... State church cultures I’ve already given through taxes. Mostly Christian cultures Church giving, but emphasis on para- church Minority Christian cultures Most give to the church and have suspicion of other organizations. Church provides all of the necessary ministries to which to give.
Causes or focus areas in giving... Mercy, orphans, adoption/foster, anti- West Trafficking ministries are in vogue. And we enjoy telling others how we’re making a difference. Asia Proclamation ministries are the priority. Many wealthy Christians are newly so, and want to fund work that shares the message of the Gospel. This includes cross-cultural missions.
Generosity in the United States
Evangelicals in the US are among the most generous people in the world. A Gospel-oriented approach to life generally leads to more giving. Theology matters!
On average … American evangelicals give about 6% of their incomes to charity. The more a Christian prays, reads the Bible and goes to church, the more she gives. Non-evangelical Christians give approximately 2.4% of their incomes. Non-Christians give an average of 2%. Generosity is evidence of spiritual growth and maturity! And many say that “Generosity is the new evangelism.”
Faith impacts philanthropy … Bill and Melinda Gates have showed renewed openness to faith. More and more philanthropists express how their faith motivates their giving. Others are borrowing biblical terms — like tithing — to frame the new philanthropic movement.
Generosity helps the US church … We need a positive narrative alongside what the culture views as the “what we’re against” narrative. Generosity provides this opportunity. Many emerging non-profits in the US are led by Christians, though proclamation of the Gospel is not their purpose … Kiva, Charity:Water, International Justice Mission. This allows Christians to regularly interact with government and secular NGOs. When Christians talk about and live the biblical message of generosity, we demonstrate Kingdom values which are counter-cultural and attractive.
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