GIVING
MORE

Topics: Generosity; Giving; Missions; Money; Outreach; Poverty; Prosperity; Riches; Stewardship; Tithing

References: Proverbs 11:24; Acts 11:29; 20:35; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Galatians 2:10; James 1:27; 5:1–6; 1 John 3:16–17

Most Americans are generous. According to a 2006 study, the vast majority of Americans make some contribution to the Red Cross, Salvation Army, American Cancer Society, local church, or other charitable organization every year. More Americans contribute to charities than bother to vote. U.S. donations rose from $1.7 billion in 1921 to more than $200 billion a year in 2006. There has been an 88 percent increase in the last decade alone.

Americans privately donated more than $4.2 billion to the Red Cross and other agencies to assist the survivors of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 and nearly $2 billion to relief efforts connected to the Indian Ocean tsunami.

“Philanthropy is no longer just for the very rich,” says Robert Bremner, professor emeritus of history at Ohio State University. “Philanthropy is everybody’s business now.”

—Ted De Haas, “Philanthropy Is Everyone’s Business,” PreachingToday.com