Officials at the Louisiana Baptist Convention are used to receiving donations, but a recent gift was unexpected and extraordinary. A group of twenty men from the Island of Sumatra sent a gift of $854 to help those hit hard by Hurricane Katrina.

The men experienced the tragedy of natural disaster when their island was hit by the tsunami on December 26, 2004. Teams from Louisiana traveled to the stricken areas to help with the recovery and relief effort. When the news about Katrina and the damage it caused in New Orleans reached Indonesia, many Indonesians who were impacted by ministry efforts wanted to do something to help Americans in the midst of their disaster.

Disaster strategist Gibbie McMillian said the gift shows the spiritual impact of the tsunami relief work. McMillain said, "This gift is amazing. Just think people on the other side of the world felt led to make a contribution to our disaster relief work here in Louisiana." What makes the gift even more amazing is that the average monthly income in Sumatra is around $100. The men who gave the gift gave sacrificially, because they remembered how these Americans helped and cared for them.

—http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=23213. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (NIV) "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

According to a new study, wrapping up an unwanted gift and giving it to someone else, as a gift is not as taboo as it once was. The survey found 78 percent of respondents felt the practice known, as "re-gifting" was acceptable. 52 percent of those surveyed said they already re-gifted something or would at some time. According to the survey the most commonly re-gifted items were decorative household items like vases, paintings, picture frames, or other trinkets.

When asked about their motive for re-gifting an item, 77 percent of the respondents said they gave the gift because it was well suited to the new recipient.

—http://www.nowpublic.com/half_americans_admit_to_re_gifting_survey_reuters. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Philippians 4:17-18 (ISV) "It's not that I'm looking for a gift. I'm looking for your resources to increase. [18] I have been paid in full and have more than enough. I am fully supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus what you sent—a fragrant aroma, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God."

Hurricane Katrina severely damaged the property of First Baptist Church of Covington Louisiana in August 2005. The church located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, lost the roof of its worship center and suffered major damage to the buildings contents. While they dealt with their own damage, the church ministered to thousands of people who heard by word-of mouth that the congregation was distributing food, water, diapers, and more. More than year after the hurricane, First Baptist continued to help by distributing checks for $10,000 to 20 fellow churches in the greater New Orleans area.

The church raised $200,000 by adding 10 percent to their tithes and offerings each week over the last year. For example, if someone planned to give $40, they wrote a check for $44. The extra gifts went to a special fund. Pastor of First Baptist, Waylon Bailey said, "To us this is a lot of money, but to them it's just a drop in the bucket for their needs." He added, "They have lost many of their leaders, but this tragedy is opening a door of opportunity to reach an area that has been resistant to the Gospel for all of its history. We want to make sure that we do all that we can to not fumble the ball."

—http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=24252. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

2 Corinthians 8:1-4 (GW) "Brothers and sisters, we want you to know how God showed his kindness to the churches in the province of Macedonia. [2] While they were being severely tested by suffering, their overflowing joy, along with their extreme poverty, has made them even more generous. [3] I assure you that by their own free will they have given all they could, even more than they could afford. [4] They made an appeal to us, begging us to let them participate in the ministry of God's kindness to his holy people (in Jerusalem)."

A study conducted by a British marketing agency found that the wishing wells of the world contain literally a mountain of money. The study found one in five British adults throw a coin or two into wishing wells and fountains every year. The "Fountain Money Mountain" report says that means in Great Britain alone, people making a wish with their spare change throw away just under 3 million pounds (5.9 million US Dollars) every year.

The agency that commissioned the study says the money should be directed to charitable causes instead. Managing director of Teamspirit, Joanne Parker says, "Some wishing wells and fountains are already used by charities as a means of securing funds, but it would be great if the profits from every single one of them were used for good causes." Parkers added, "For me personally, and for many others I'm sure, to combine the thrill of making a secret wish with the knowledge the money is going to help others would be very rewarding."

—http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061129/od_nm/Britain_wish_dc_1. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

James 2:15-17 (ISV) "Suppose a brother or sister doesn't have any clothes or daily food [16] and one of you tells them, 'Blessings on you! Stay warm and eat heartily.' If you don't provide for their bodily needs, what good does it do? [17] In the same way, faith by itself, if it doesn't have any works, is dead."

Each year, the Reebok Corporation prepares two sets of Super Bowl Championship T-shirts and hats. One set is given to the wining team at the end of the game, but what happens to the Championship shirts and caps for the losing team? By order of the NFL, those items will never appear on eBay or television. They are never to be seen on American soil. Every year, the National Football League donates the material from the team that didn't win to relief organization World Vision. The caps and shirts are packaged into wooden boxes and sent to developing nations in places such as Africa.

World Vision takes the gear along with school and medical supplies into a major city. It is then driven to remote villages where staffers distribute the clothing at community centers. Corporate Relations Officer for World Vision, Jeff Fields said, "Where these items go, the people don't have electricity or running water. They wouldn't know who won the Super Bowl. They wouldn't even know about football." The NFL says the plan allows them to help one of their charities without traumatizing the losing team.

—http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/sports/football/04gear.html. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Matthew 6:2-3 (CEV) "When you give to the poor, don't blow a loud horn. That's what show-offs do in the meeting places and on the street corners, because they are always looking for praise. I can assure you that they already have their reward. [3] When you give to the poor, don't let anyone know about it."

A new study on longevity has confirmed the adage it is better to give than to receive, at least as it relates to emotional support among older church attendees. The study tracked the death risk among senior citizens (average age: 74) who attend church. It found a lower death risk for people who gave emotional support to fellow churchgoers, even when chronic financial strain and other factors were taken into consideration. The death risk was lower for those who offered emotional support than for those who received it. Neal Krause, PhD, a professor of health behavior and health education at the University of Michigan says giving support might help buffer the effects of financial stress in older adults.

Church attendance has already been linked to longer life. Krause says he would like to learn why some people are more likely than others to provide emotional support to fellow churchgoers and how those traits might affect the results. He says, "Although the results provided here might be thought provoking, a great deal of work remains to be done."

—Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, May 2006; vol 61B; pp S140-S146. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Acts 20:35 (CEV) "By everything I did, I showed how you should work to help everyone who is weak. Remember that our Lord Jesus said, "More blessings come from giving than from receiving."

A volunteer at Stanford Hospital, was present when a little boy decided to give the ultimate sacrifice because he loved his sister Liza. The volunteer says the little girl was dying of a rare disease, with only one chance for survival—a blood transfusion from her five-year-old brother. After the doctor explained what would happen during the transfusion, the little boy agreed to give his blood to save his sister.

He peacefully laid still during the transfusion. After a while, he asked the doctor a question that gave great insight into his character, "Will I start to die right away?" Apparently, the boy thought he would have to give all his blood, but was willing to do so to save his sister.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13 KJV)

A pastor who gave each of church members $100 last year and urged them to use the money to "go forth and do good in the name of God" has seen the lesson touch thousands of lives.

A year ago Pastor Denny Bellesi gave $100 to 100 members of his church, Coast Hill Community Church in Orange County. Bellesi dubbed the program, "The Kingdom Assignment" as a way to illustrate Jesus' parable of the servants and the talents.

The good deeds have come in many forms. One member helped an immigrant family pay for the funerals of two daughters who died from a rare blood disease. Another used the $100 to start a project that raised thousands of dollars to fund the construction of a women's shelter. Bellesi's idea caught the attention of local businessman who started a similar corporate charity program aimed at helping the community. So far, the original $10,000 has turned into more than $500,000 in gifts, volunteer work and donations.

Bellesi says the parable of the talents is about recognizing that everyone has gifts, and each of us is accountable for using that gift before God. He adds, "People were always willing to give of themselves. This just reminded them why."

To the servants, who used their talents wisely the master said, "Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things." To the servant who hid the talent given to him, the master said, "You wicked lazy servant! You should have at least put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that I would have received it back with interest." Jesus summarized the parable saying, "For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him." Matthew 25:29 NIV

—www.cnn.com/2001/US/11/22/pastors.lesson.ap/index.html 11/22/01 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Citizens of the State of New Mexico are accustomed to being last among the 50 states. When the states are ranked by comparison, New Mexico consistently ranks 49th or 50th. New Mexicans have some of the worst roads, the poorest schools, and one of the lowest per capita incomes in the country. Yet, New Mexico ranks considerably higher in the area of giving.

According to the 2002 Generosity Index of the Catalogue of Philanthropy, New Mexico ranks 19th in generosity or charitable giving. Kelli Cooper, communication director for the Albuquerque Community Foundation says the results are amazing. She says, “New Mexico’s generosity index for all income tax returns is 19th nationally, with an average charitable giving level of $2,768 (per taxpayer).”

—Albuquerque Journal, Sunday April 13, 2002, State’s taxpayer’s are givers, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Generosity isn’t always connected with physical prosperity. It doesn’t always come as a result of prosperity, neither, does it create it. But generosity is connected to spiritual prosperity.

2 Corinthians 8:1-2. NIV “And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overcoming joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.”

In 2002 Andrew "Jack" Whitaker won a record $314.9 million dollar lottery jackpot. Whitaker opted for an after tax lump sum payment of $113 million. When he accepted the prize, Whitaker promised to donate a tenth of his winnings to his church and start a foundation to help poor West Virginians. His generous spirit has generated an unexpected result. Each day dozens of requests for financial aid pour into the offices of the foundation Whitaker opened.

So many letters have arrived seeking aid that they fill hip-high filling cabinets lining three walls of Whitaker's new office. Visitors keep coming too. Two to four people arrive each day bringing their own pleas, hard luck stories, and tales of woe.

Whitaker has hired security guards to watch his home and office because of his notoriety. When asked about the constant letters and visits seeking money, Whitaker says, "I can't even read them. I wouldn't have any money left if I did." In an interviewed taped recently, Whitaker said he regretted the toll fame has taken on his family.

—Associated Press, December 25, 2003, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Matthew 6:3-4 NIV "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

In October 1996, two children from Westwood Massachusetts started a drive to collect turkeys. Their goal was to ensure that all people throughout the eastern part of Massachusetts who wanted a turkey that Thanksgiving had one. Dan and Betsy Nally, now aged 14 and 11, have seen over 175,000 pounds of turkeys donated to a food bank in the Boston area in the past several years.

The first year, Dan and Betsy went door to door collecting money and frozen turkeys from their community. The program has continued to grow each year adding new sponsors and involved organizations. This season, Dan and Betsy hope to break their record donation of 77,000 pounds of turkey donated last year.

The teens are encouraging others to get involved, and are reaching beyond their own area for the first time, partnering with students in Chicago and California. These students will head their own turkey efforts benefiting food banks in their towns.

Catherine D’Amato, president and CEO of the greater Boston Food bank says, “We applaud Dan and Betsy and are thrilled to be the catalyst to what is surely to become a national phenomena. They are helping so many while spreading such an important message, that people of all ages and truly make a difference.”

—http://www.businesswire.com, October 30, 2002, Dan and Betsy Nally Gear up for 7th Annual Turkey Drive Benefiting The Greater Boston Food Bank. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Philippians 4:18-19 NIV “I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Last week, Kevin Shelton went to the mall in Tampa, Florida. Instead of going to shop for himself, Kevin went to the mall to give away about $7,000. He strapped wads of cash to his body and strolling among the shoppers handing out one dollar bills. In two hours, the 32 year old gave away the money with only smiles, hugs, and "thank yous" to show for his time.

Shelton made his money buying and selling real estate in the Tampa area. He says giving away the money is what he chooses to do and added, "I think it's making an impact." Most shoppers took the money and walked away giggling. Some recipients said they would give the free gift to someone else in need. Shelton says a few people took time to chide him for not giving the money to the truly needy.

Shelton began giving away cash last year hoping to brighten people's days and to spark generosity. He says he never keeps track of what he gives away, but guesses he has passed out tens of thousands of dollars.

Kevin Shelton's generosity is a good example of the seeming paradox that we must give to receive. He doesn't give away cash to build a bigger fortune. Kevin gives what he cannot keep to gain something he cannot lose.

—Associated Press, Wednesday, March 20, 2002, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Luke 6:38 NIV. "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running together, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

Does this verse mean that if I give some money to the Lord, he will give more money back to me? Is tithing a chance to "strike it rich?"

Culture is making us drunk on the dream of becoming rich. Magazine readers hope for the prize patrol to drop by their house with a multi-million dollar prize. Game Show contestants compete for ever increasing sums of money. The trip for a gallon of milk includes an extra dollar for a chance to win big in the lottery. When will it stop?

As I was drinking a bottle of diet ice tea recently, I noticed some writing on the inside of the bottle cap. It said, "You haven't won anything, but if you put water in this cap and put it in the freezer you can make an ice skating rink for fleas."

Very few people get something for nothing. Most of us feel lucky if we get a quality bottle of ice tea for our dollar, whether it comes with a skating rink for fleas or not. The bottom line is, if you write a check for $200.00 to the church today, the bank is going to deduct $200.00 from your checking account when we deposit it.

Besides, why do we necessarily have to interpret the word "blessings" as money? Mother Teresa was a blessed woman, but she wasn't rich. God doesn't promise to make you rich, His promise is to bless you.

Many ministries and churches report they have experienced a decline in giving. A new study from the Barna Research Group offers some explanations for the problem. The study found the percent of households that give at least ten percent of their income to a local church is decreasing. In 2001, 8 percent of households gave ten percent of their income to a local church, in 2002 that number had dropped to only 3 percent.

The study found that several groups are more likely to tithe than others. The groups with the highest proportion of tithers are people over age 55, college graduates, middle —income individuals, Republicans, conservatives, residents of the South, and those who attend mainline Protestant churches. The study also identified several other groups that are unlikely to give ten-percent to a local church.

When asked about the reason for the decline in the number of people willing to give ten percent of their income to a local church, Barna said the drop is due to several things. He said, “Different challenges have caused people to choose not to tithe. For some, the soft economy has either diminished their household income or led to concerns about their financial security. For others the nation’s political condition, in terms of terrorism and the war in Iraq has raised their level of caution.” Other factors include a reduced lack of confidence in church leaders due to recent scandals, and a smaller group of people in their sixties who have a habit of tithing. Barna says, “The proportion of homes headed by younger adults, who have never tithed and don’t plan to is growing.”

Barna says the best thing for churches to do is encourage people to make life decisions based on a Biblical worldview. He added that it is helpful to give evidence of the ministry needs people’s money should be devoted to, to show how efficiently the church uses money, to demonstrate the life-changing impact of the church’s ministry, and to establish trust and confidence in church leadership.

—Barna Research Group, May 2003. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NIV “Remember this; Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

One of basic tenets of the church is the tithe; giving ten percent of one income to the Lord through the local church. In Summers County West Virginia where the median income is about $21,000 a year, that ordinarily does not add up to much money. Now three churches in the area may get to split $17 million, ten percent of a $170 million Power ball jackpot.

After Andrew “ Jack” Whittaker was verified as the winner of the mega-jackpot, he said he intended to give 10 percent of his $170 million gross winnings to three Church of God pastors. Two of the three likely recipients say they are excited, nervous, and wondering about the details of the huge donation.

One the potential recipients, C.T. Matthews, is senior pastor at the church in Hurricane where Whittaker attends. He says, “ The whole world’s looking at West Virginia.”

Matthews says he hasn’t been officially contacted yet, but notes that Whittaker, already a millionaire contractor has been generous in helping the church in the past.

Matthews says he would like to create a youth worship center, and Christian for his church, as well as a day care center and a drug counseling program fro teens. He said any donation would be welcome. He adds, “ If we could get this off the ground, we’d just be blessed.”

It is not clear if the pastors Whittaker selects will get to choose how to use the money. Whittaker initially said he would divide the money between the three churches to administer a fund to help the poor. The details will be worked out later. John Auge, spokesman for Whittaker says the Power ball winner has returned home after a New York media appearance and is resting and “prayerfully “ contemplating his next move.

—Associated Press, Albuquerque Journal, December 29, 2002, Pastors Pray for Power ball Windfall. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

2 Cor. 9:7-8 “Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Richard Hatch was the guy on the hit TV show Survivor that America loved to hate. In his new book, "101 Survival Secrets: How to Make $1,000,000.00, Lose 100 Pounds and Just Plain Live Happily," Hatch shares his personal life philosophy.

Secret 78 is, "Selfishness is a virtue." Hatch wrote, "For example, if you give somebody a gift, it's because you want that good feeling that comes to you from the act of making someone you care about happy." (Hatch, 84)

Do you agree with that statement? Is selfishness a virtue? Do we only give because of what we "get" out of giving? If not, then why do you give?

John 3:16 begins with, "For God so loved the world, that he gave …" Loving and giving seem to go together. Especially when you give of yourself. Let me finish reading the verse, "his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." God's gift had a purpose to save our souls.

What a perfect gift God gave! He gave of himself? He didn't give it to make Himself feel better, he gave it so He could redeem you unto Himself.

—For more information on Hatch's book, go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1585742082/fm082-20

Since the days of Ponce de Leon, people have been searching for the illusive fountain of youth. With all the advancements of medical science, we still haven’t found the magic elixir—the best we can do is give a person a more youthful appearance by promoting a healthy lifestyle or by using cosmetics or cosmetic surgery. No matter what we do, we all get a day older every 24-hours.

Though no one has figured out how to stop the aging process, scientists do know what causes it. According to Amy Ellis Nutt, “We age not because our cells die but because they stop dividing.”

Nothing can stay the same, either it is growing (giving of itself by dividing) or it is deteriorating. What is true of our cells is true of our faith. The minute we shift into a self-preservation mode and are only concerned about our needs, and ourselves we begin to deteriorate spiritually. That’s why it is so important to give. Not only do our donations make a difference for Kingdom causes, they help keep us spiritually young and vibrant.

What would you do if you won $100,000? A group of teens said the first thing they’d do is buy gifts for their parents—a whopping 93% of the teens surveyed put their parents first. 67% said they’d buy a new car, 63% would go on a vacation, 55% would save money for college and 45% would give money to charity.

So what would you do if you had an extra $100,000 lying around the house? Think about it a minute—make out a quick budget—jot it down on your bulletin.

2 Cor. 9:6-7 NASB “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. [7] Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.”

A national survey taken for a flower delivery company suggests that 50 percent of Americans believe their mother deserves something special on Mother’s Day. Most felt Mom deserved something special because “she survived raising me and that was no small feat.” Others say Mom deserved recognition because “she always has dinner on the table and clean laundry in the closet.”

The survey also found that 65 percent of Americans said if they ever won an Academy award, their mother would be the first person they’d thank in their acceptance speech.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, 71% of the respondents said they planned to give Mom a gift of time—spending some of the day with her. Other traditional “thank you” gifts for Mom include flowers, bath and beauty items, and garden accessories. Children, who can’t spend time with Mom because of distance, may choose a phone call to express their appreciation.

Too often, we substitute things, instead of giving our time, and deeds. The majority of respondents in the survey recognized the need to give something meaningful, like time. Mothers deserve respect, thoughtfulness, and our time. Giving a gift of ourselves is not only a good idea, it is Biblical.

Deuteronomy 5:16 “Honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, so that it may go well with you in the Land the Lord your God is giving you.”

A new high school in London has announced its students will be charged for their lunches using a retina-scanning machine. Dr. Ed Yates, headmaster of the Venerable Bede School says the advanced eye-recognition software will be in place when the institution opens its doors in the Fall of 2003.

Yates says one main reason the new technology is being used is to keep the poor children who eat for free from being ridiculed. The school is concerned that if students are forced to pay for their lunches in cash, the poorer students who receive free food might be stigmatized. To solve the problem, officials plan to make the school, “cashless.”

The headmaster assured parents the low-intensity scanning beam would be safe for all students. He added the retina scanning system would also be used in the library when students take out and return books. Yates said, “We think we are the first [school] in the country to use this. But this is not a James Bond school for spies. This is not science fiction. This is technology that exists.”

—Associated Press, School to Use Eye Scanner for Lunch Fees, January 8, 2003, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Matthew 6:3-4 “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

A British billionaire who once owned nothing says he is determined to keep an agreement between him and God. Years ago, Albert Gubay promised God that if he became rich, he would donate half of his fortune to charity. Now, Gubay, who founded the British supermarket chain, “Kwik Save’ says he must do what he promised.

Gubay was once a very poor candy seller, and had no money at all. At the time, he made the pact with God. Gubay told a British newspaper he has a specific plan on how he will keep his word. He said, “ I want to carry on supporting good causes, but my whole focus in the next few years is to work as hard as I can to meet my target of a 1 billion pounds (1.5 billion US) charity.” He added, “Every penny wasted or lost reduces the pot available to charity.”

--Albert Gubay keeps his pact with God and donates his fortune to charity, http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world/albert-gubay-keeps-his-pact-with-god-donates-his-fortune-to-charity_100339068.html; March 25, 2010, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Hebrews 6:17-18 (GW) “God wouldn't change his plan. He wanted to make this perfectly clear to those who would receive his promise, so he took an oath. (18) God did this so that we would be encouraged. God cannot lie when he takes an oath or makes a promise. These two things can never be changed. Those of us who have taken refuge in him hold on to the confidence we have been given.”

Some of the world’s wealthiest people have launched a campaign to encourage the ultra-rich to give away the majority of their fortunes. Originally Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett started their project as a series of private dinner meetings, but now they have opened a public campaign calling on their fellow billionaires to sign a “Giving Pledge,” and donate most of their wealth to the philanthropic causes of their choice.

In the United States alone there are at least 400 billionaires, with net worth estimated at 1.2 trillion dollars. If those billionaires gave the minimum pledge of half of their fortunes to charity, it would triple the current amount of charitable giving in the United States. Phil Buchanan, president of the Center for Effective Philanthropy says the result would be transformational. Buchanan said, “It could have a dramatic effect on some of the toughest social challenges that we face. But people have to do it first.”

Some of the wealthiest Americans are already among the top 50 donors in the country. Billionaire Warren Buffett, who helped propel the movement, says having too much wealth is a burden. He said, “Too often, a vast collection of possessions ends up possessing its owner. Were we to use more than 1 percent of my claim checks on ourselves, neither our happiness nor our well being would be enhanced.”

--Donate your money, billionaires challenge the rich, http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012136709_billionaires17.html; June 16, 2010, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (CEV) “Warn the rich people of this world not to be proud or to trust in wealth that is easily lost. Tell them to have faith in God, who is rich and blesses us with everything we need to enjoy life. (18) Instruct them to do as many good deeds as they can and to help everyone. Remind the rich to be generous and share what they have. (19) This will lay a solid foundation for the future, so that they will know what true life is like.”

In the book Faith Set Free, Pray for Yourself with Reckless Abandon, Pastor Will Davis Jr. encourages believers to rise above mundane experience and find the abundant life Jesus makes available. According to Davis, one of the important areas is giving. He says generous giving is a reminder that our soul cannot be satisfied by anything material.

Davis writes, “Generous giving launches an all-out assault on materialism’s death grip on your soul. It helps you push back against the cultural mantra of ‘more’ and reminds you that your hope lies in Christ, not in your stuff. Giving is your way of declaring that the things you own will not own you. It’s your declaration of independence from the oxymoron of financial security, and your declaration of dependence on the creating, life-giving God.”

--Will Davis Jr, Faith Set Free, pg 76, Copyright 2009, Revell, a division of Baker Publishing
Group. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Acts 20:35 (HCSB) “In every way I’ve shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

A church in Arkansas is bringing a new way of thinking to the holiday season by offering people a chance to give more and spend less. The Lakewood United Methodist church in North Little Rock sponsors a yearly alternative giving fair or marketplace where shoppers can discover that compassion, as opposed to consumerism is the best way to celebrate Christmas and honor Jesus.

Among the items offered at the fair are bottles of water for people to give as gifts. The water
serves as a reminder not to take clean water for granted, and all the donations go to fund wells in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The fair also offers hand knitted mittens and hats for children, and opportunities for youth to serve at a compassion center and food pantry. The church also sends their bell choir to entertain at area nursing homes.

Church Communications Director Joseph Roltz said the church wants to help the community give of themselves by doing what they normally do in other ways. He added,” We swim in a sea of Consumerism 365 days a year. Those choppy waters can drown consumers in debt and regret that much of our ‘generosity’ quite honestly does not reflect the spirit of Christmas.”

--Givers pick compassion over consumerism, http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2789393&ct=8965899, December 10, 2010, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Most people think of the Friday after Thanksgiving as a day of excessive shopping as retailers offer special bargains to attract consumers to their stores. This year a Texas man is starting a new tradition he hopes will gain traction. Chuck Fox came up with the idea of changing Black Friday into Bless Friday by encouraging believers and churches to use the extra day off to serve others. Fox says, “Everyone knows what to do on Thanksgiving. You get together with your family, you eat a big meal and give thanks. And we hope in the future they will know what to do on the next day.”

Fox encouraged people from his Sunday School class and enlisted a few other local churches to put an emphasis on service instead of shopping. Those who signed up agreed to serve meals at homeless shelters, make home repairs for people who can’t do it themselves, as well as pack food boxes for the hungry. Fox said the idea came from a sermon preached by his eighty- nine year old father about Americans forgetting the meaning of Christmas. The younger Fox told reporters he was not against shopping. He added,” What we believe is that consumerism is consuming Christmas, and we need to remember it’s about preparing ourselves to celebrate the birth of Jesus. God cannot have sent his son to Earth to save us so we can go on a shopping spree.”

--A blessed alternative to shopping, http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7311821.html; November 28, 2010, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Matthew 23:11-12 (CEV) (11) Whoever is the greatest should be the servant of the others. (12) If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored.

A restaurant in the St. Louis area is trying a new concept for eating establishment, eat, and then pay what you want. The Panera Corporation decided to convert the restaurant with the idea of helping feed the needy and raising money for other charitable work. Founder and Chairman Ronald Shaich said the company had been involved in charitable giving, by donating money and leftover food for years, but the new idea allows people to get involved directly. They call the concept community kitchen. The successes in the St. Louis area lead Panera to open two similar cafes with plans for another new outlet in the next few months.

Panera says the majority of patrons pay the suggested retail value for their meals, while 20 percent leave more, and the other 20 percent leave less. One person paid $500 for a meal, the largest single payment the company is aware of. Overall, the café performs at 80 percent of retails with revenue of about $100,000 a month. It generates $3,000 to $4,000 a month above costs. They use the extra money to fund job training for at risk youth. Shaich said, ”We were doing this for ourselves to see if we could make a difference with our own hands, not just write a check, but really make a contribution to the community in a real substantive way.” He added, “From the day it opened the community has gotten stronger and stronger in their support of this.”

--Pay-what-you-want Panera called a success, http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2011-05-16-panera-pay-what-you-can_n.htm [ May 17, 2011, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Proverbs 11:25 (CEV) Generosity will be rewarded: Give a cup of water, and you will receive a cup of water in return.

What was once a classic prank has turned into a new way to share with those in need. A California based website has become what has been termed “random acts of pizza.” Ashley Qualls from Santa Clarita said she discovered the site after asked about ways to donate to people in need on a local link-sharing website. Qualls said someone suggested she look at that particular section. Once there she found people posting pleas for free pizza. Members are then encouraged to place orders for requests that especially move them.

One post came from a man who said he had gone out of town and left his wallet at home. Another claimed he lost his credit card and as tired of tortillas. Besides the obvious panhandling and silly requests, creators of the site say ultimately the page is about donating to people who couldn’t otherwise feed themselves. Qualls agrees. She has sent several pizzas to be delivered to hungry strangers. Though she has been active in charity work for years, Qualls says “Random Acts of Pizza provides “instant gratification” because recipients will often take a picture of the empty boxes and post them on the site along with their thanks. Qualls, added, ”It’s about helping someone out while they’re down at the moment.”

--Good Will Online Comes in Pizza Form, http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-27/tech/reddit.pizza_1_domino-s-pizza-empty-pizza-box-food-pantry?_s=PM:TECH ; June 27, 2011. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Matthew 6:2-4 (ESV) (2) “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. (3) But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (4) so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Victor stopped on a Wisconsin highway to help a stranger, Sara Berg, whose flat tire stranded her on the roadside. After changing her tire and driving off, Giesbrecht suffered a heart attack. Sara Berg then stopped her car, performed CPR, and saved her Good Samaritan’s life.

--The Week, November 18, 2011 p. 4 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Dave Wilson is a luxury car dealer. He owns dealerships in Southern California and Arizona. He remembers what it was like back when he was a janitor on the graveyard shift at Kmart. He was looking for a birthday present for his wife, whose birthday falls in December. On his local radio, he heard about a new trend of anonymous donors paying off strangers’ holiday layaway balances at retail stores.

Dave decided that would be a good Birthday present for his wife, Holly. He called the local Kmart in Costa Mesa, Calif. and asked if they had a few families he could help. He ended up paying off the layaway balances for 260 families at a cost of nearly $16,000.

Wilson feels like he was able to something special and his wife Holly was thrilled with the idea.
“This will be a birthday for me to remember forever and ever,” she said.

--http://www.thedaily.com/page/2011/12/18/121811-news-secret-santa-folo-1-2/ Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Several families who were behind on their bills received a gift that truly made them thankful. Officials in Iowa City, Iowa said two days before the Thanksgiving holiday; an anonymous woman walked in city hall and donated $1640. The woman said the money was to be used to pay off 17 delinquent water accounts to assure the families had running water for the holiday. City revenue officials said they were shocked by the woman’s generosity, but they worked with her to identify accounts with overdue balances that she could pay off.

Eleven of the accounts already had their water shut off due to unpaid balances, and six others were scheduled to be turned off within hours of the anonymous donation. All of the families had their water service restored shortly after the payment. Iowa City Revenue and Risk manager Melissa Miller said, “I’ve never seen it happen, and the majority of my staff has been there much longer than I have, and they haven’t heard of anything like it either. It was a wonderful gesture.”

--Goodwill on tap: Woman pays others’ water bills, http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/45511672/ns/today-good_news/t/goodwill-tap-woman-pays-others-water-bills; December 1, 2011, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Proverbs 28:27 (CEV) Giving to the poor will keep you from poverty, but if you close your eyes to their needs, everyone will curse you.

A Secret Santa recently visited one of America’s poorest cities passing out $100 bills stamped with the words, “Secret Santa.” The man, who insisted his identity remain a secret paid a visit to Reading, Pennsylvania, and reportedly gave away $20,000 of his own money. He said he had read Reading was designated one of America’s poorest cities with a population of 65,000 or more. He told reporters he is a businessperson who travels a lot and he is merely carrying on a tradition started several years ago by the late Larry Stewart of Kansas City.

Stewart was once down and out and received help from the owner of a diner in Mississippi. He went on to make millions in cable television, and gave away $1.3 million posing as a Secret Santa before his death in 2006. The current Santa said he had promised Stewart that he would continue the tradition and plans to visit cities ranging from San Diego to Detroit this holiday season. He said he has enlisted other elves to help him on his mission.

When Keith Grumbling received a $100 bill at the coin laundry, he said the Secret Santa said, “I’m swearing you in as one of the Secret Santa’s elves. Between now and Christmas, I want you to do something nice for someone else.”

--Secret Santa spreads hope, cheer, and $100 bills, http://digg.com/news/lifestyle/secret_santa_spreads_hope_cheer_and_100_bills_home_staple_news ; December 2, 2011, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Matthew 6:3-4 (CEV) “When you give to the poor, don't let anyone know about it. (4) Then your gift will be given in secret. Your Father knows what is done in secret, and he will reward you.”

If every one of New York City’s 8 million residents gave a dollar, they could change the plight of the homeless in that city forever. During the 2011 holiday season, Christian recording artist Eric Briarley, spent his days sharing that vision with everyone who passed through Times Square, asking them, if they had a dollar to spare. Briarley lead what he termed a “philanthropic social challenge” to see if one million people would give one dollar each to impact the lives of homeless, poor, and hungry people in New York City.

Briairley began thinking about the idea of a dollar campaign after reading an article by the Senior Editor of Fortune Magazine, Carol Loomis. Loomis described a challenge to America’s billionaires given by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates. Both billionaires asked other wealthy people to consider pledging half of their net worth to charity. Loomis suggested that if the nation’s billionaires accepted the challenge, they could potentially change the face of philanthropy. Briarley took the challenge and shifted it to the common working people of America. He asked several motivational speakers to join him in reaching out to the public. One of those who joined Briarley was speaker James Winans, who said, “Eric’s vision for a brand new way of community-wide giving is inspiring. Imagine if everyone in our building, our neighborhood, our borough, or even our city gave just one dollar. How many lives would be transformed forever?” Though, the exact totals raised were not available, all the money raised in New York City was given to two organizations that work with the poor and homeless in New York City.

--Millions in Times Square Asked, “Do You have One Dollar?”, http://www.christianpost.com/news/millions-in-times-square-asked-do-you-have-one-dollar-65809; December 27, 2011, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Philippians 4:17 (CEV) I am not trying to get something from you, but I want you to receive the blessings that come from giving.

When we give an offering to the Lord, it may not seem like much. Compared to the needs we see around us, our gifts are so small. But small gifts add up.

The Transportation Security Administration, those security guards at every American airport, find the loose change passengers neglect to pick up out of the little gray trays. In a hurry to get their shoes and belts on, and get to the gate, many passengers just leave their pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters in the tray. So many passengers do it that we left behind a total of $409,085.56 in one year. That loose change adds up to a big hunk of change.

--The Week, January 27, 2012 p. 16 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Jesus was teaching his disciples about giving when he pointed to the widow who gave two small copper coins. He was teaching them about faithful stewardship, but he knew all the small copper coins added together make a significant offering.

Mark 12:42 (ESV) And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.

While advertising paints the picture of a perfect Christmas of looking outside and finding a new car in the driveway with a bow on top, the reality is likely somewhat different. For most families, a more realistic scene is a room littered with paper and empty boxes. Many people struggle finding the perfect gift for that hard-to-please person on their list, and now a list of unique holiday gifts has been assembled. Some of the unusual possibilities in 2012 included, a barking door alarm to scare away intruders, a can of air from one of several popular tourist destinations around the world, or a pair of knee socks that look like Superman’s footwear from the movies. Other novelty items include a toaster that puts the logo of a favorite football team on each piece of toast, or even pink footie pajamas including a hood and ears designed for adults. Each of the specialty gift items are designed to provide the gift giver with a sense of satisfaction and the assurance that their gift might be a little more memorable among all the things their friends and family receive this Christmas.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Weird Christmas gifts 2012: Strange, bizarre and very unique holiday presents, http://www.examiner.com/article/weird-christmas-gifts-2012-strange-bizarre-and-very-unique-holiday-presents, Accessed November 29, 2012.

Romans 6:23 (ESV) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Retail stores are not typically known for their generosity, but consumer electronics giant Best Buy has recently been unexpectedly generous to two customers. Both of the shoppers ordered iPads online and were shocked when a box filled with five of them arrived at their door. When contacted, the company told one of the customers to keep the extra devices and give them to people in need. Another customer, a man, reportedly was told to keep the extra devices because the store had made the mistake. The representative said there was nothing they could do because the system only indicated that he had received one iPad. The man told a consumer protection agency that he thought about dropping them off at a local store, but was concerned about how traceable that would be, if the store came looking for them. He said, “So right now, I am just keeping them in my closet until Best Buy comes knocking at my door or a reasonable amount of time goes by.”— Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Best Buy Sends Customers 5 iPads By Mistake, Says To Keep Them Anyway, by Kim Bhasin, http://finance.yahoo.com/news/best-buy-sends-customers-5-201100187.html, Accessed December 7, 2012.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV) “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. (18) They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, (19) thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

When counting the donation in one of their red kettles, Salvation Army volunteers in upstate New York found more than the unusual spare change. Officials with the Salvation Army in Elmira, New York say they found a gold coin worth $500 wrapped in a $100 bill. The American Eagle coin and the bill had a memo attached that said, “This coin is solid gold and worth around $500. God Bless.” Officials say the annual collection usually brings in a few valuable coins, and around 400 have been found over the past thirty years. In 2012, other gold coins were found in kettles that came from Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, North Carolina, and Florida. Most were dropped in by generous donor who preferred to remain anonymous.– Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Gold coin wraped in C-note found in NY red kettle http://news.msn.com/us/gold-coin-wrapped-in-c-note-found-in-ny-red-kettle; Accessed December 13, 2012.
Title: Obesity now causing more health concerns than hunger.

Matthew 6:3 (ESV) But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

We have Black Friday and Cyber Monday right after Thanksgiving. How about beginning a new tradition, Giving Tuesday? “Around 2,000 nonprofits and charitable organizations launched their seasonal charity drives on a Tuesday in 2012 to encourage Americans to consider spending money on good causes and spend time volunteering for local charities.”

“Organizers hope Giving Tuesday will one day eclipse its more famous, materialistic predecessors.” Thankfully, churches and charities exist because many people practice regular, systematic, giving. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Acts 20:35 (ESV) In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

The names of wealthy Americans are often found on the list of generous people from around the world. Studies have also found that Americans who have money are more likely to make giving a priority than those from other nations. Despite those findings, research has shown has most people who make more than $200,000 a year only give an average of 2.8% of their income to charity. When a private agency involved with charitable giving issues did more research they found several other interesting factors that impact a person’s giving. They found 82% of wealthy families believed having more money meant a greater obligation to give. At the same time, those people wanted to be sure that their level of wealth could continue to support their lifestyle and their family. Most also indicated they gave more when the markets were doing better. The third factor related to giving was unexpected. Researchers found that those who had an increased ability to give said it was important to be motivated by a cause. When they cared about a particular issue, they were more willing to sacrifice to support it. While having money helped in the decision to give, wealthy people said a passion for the cause made a big difference.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Three Reasons US Rich Don't Give More to Charity, By Robert Frank, http://www.cnbc.com/id/100543099, Accessed March 11, 2103.

Matthew 6:1-4 (ESV) (1) “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. (2) “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. (3) But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (4) so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

When she turned 38 years old, Robyn Bomar decided to spend her special day doing 38 random acts of kindness for others. She put money in parking meters, rounded up shopping carts in a store parking lot, and gave balloons to children who were shopping with their parents. She had not planned to say anything about it, but her husband convinced her to write about it on her blog. Later that year, her family members did the same on their birthdays, and now many other people have joined what Bomar has termed, “The Birthday Project” by giving to others on their special day. The movement has been gaining momentum as more and more people hear about the idea and jump on board. Chapters promoting the idea have even been formed in some cities. Bomar says it is a simple idea which anyone can do, and there are no rules. Sehadmits she doesn’t always understand it, but it is exciting to be part of. She adds, “It’s really about celebrating your life by pouring into the lives of others, whatever it means. For me, that means asking God; for everybody else it’s going to be different.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

How One Woman's Birthday Kindness Sparked a Movement, by Gina Meeks, http://www.charismanews.com/culture/38081-how-one-womans-birthday-kindness-sparked-a-movement?utm_source=
feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+delicious/gqlf+(Christian+Headlines+Top+Headlines) , Accessed February 2, 2013.

Adam Grant, who is the youngest tenured professor at Wharton College in New York, recently conducted research about how helping others can increase overall productivity. His research work began with a person observation, while Grant was working selling ads for a travel guide series. He realized that the company’s success allowed a close friend keep their job and stay in school. When he saw his work as helpful, he put more into it and even sold the largest advertising package in the company’s history. Later, he brought an award winner in to describe to the sales staff how much the financial support mattered to him. He found that following that talk the workers raised 400 percent more revenue. He says his research has convinced him that helping others is the main motivator that can spur productivity and creativity. Grant says he has also learned that it is best to use that help to reduce inequality rather than simply building profits. He says giving in good, but people need to know exactly who benefits from their generosity.— Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Can Giving Be Good for Getting Ahead?, By Maia Szalavitz, http://healthland.time.com/2013/04/05/can-giving-be-good-for-getting-ahead , Accessed April 5, 2013.

Matthew 7:12 (ESV) “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

An online course featuring several noted philanthropists including Warren Buffet, will help students learn about giving away money and could help make decisions regarding how Buffet’s money will be distributed. More than 4,000 people have signed up for the course, and sponsors say if more people sign up, the amount given away will grow. Buffet and his older sister Doris will be the first presenters in the course to talk about their motivations. Buffet is gradually giving away all of his $58 billion fortune, while his sister has already given away more than $150 million. When asked about the course, Buffet joked, “The trick is not to have her give it away faster than I can make it.” Several other presenters will discuss an aspect of philanthropy that is important to them. The Northeastern University professor, who will teach the class, Rebecca Riccio, says the most important thing about the course is that students will have an opportunity to give away money, which makes it even more powerful. She added, “It’s an experience that gives profound insight into deciding how we meet the needs of our society.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Online course will let students give money away, by Josh Funk, http://news.yahoo.com/online-course-let-students-money-away-184656529.html, Accessed July 14, 2013

2 Corinthians 9:7 (CEV) (7) Each of you must make up your own mind about how much to give. But don't feel sorry that you must give and don't feel that you are forced to give. God loves people who love to give.

After Ginger Foss’s home was destroyed by an Oklahoma tornado, she posted a picture on Facebook telling how God has delivered her in the middle of the 200 mph winds. Her post caught the attention of a pastor 8,800 miles away in Thailand. The pastor had met Foss when she had served as a missionary in South Korea, and came to Bangkok to visit other missionaries the pastor supervised. The pastor says reaching out beyond the borders of their country is a concept he and others have been working on for some time, and this was the perfect opportunity to put their faith into practice. He organized a group of churches that collected over $6800 for disaster relief efforts in Oklahoma. The pastor said most Thais grow up being told that they are poor and weak. If they hear that enough, they eventually start believing it. He said, “We tell our churches that it doesn’t matter how much we have. It’s the love in our heart that we are really giving. We are learning to give and follow Christ’s examples of touching the nations beyond our borders.”
Churches in Thailand provide relief for Oklahoma tornado victims—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Thai Baptists minister to U.S. tornado victims, By Susie Rain, http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=40714, Accessed July 12, 2013.

2 Corinthians 9:11-12 (NASB) you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. (12) For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.

A K-Mart store in Maine reported that a woman who described herself as terminally ill donated around $3,000 to pay off the remaining balances on 16 layaway accounts. The woman was only in the store about 15 minutes before paying the accounts. An employee who talked with her said the woman said she wasn’t feeling well, and left before anyone could identify her. The community is calling the woman the “back to School Angel.” They suspect she may be the same person, who they call the “layaway angel,” who paid off every open layaway account just before Christmas in the same store two years ago.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

'Back to School Angel' pays off 16 Kmart layaway accounts, http://now.msn.com/kmart-layaway-accounts-paid-by-terminally-ill-woman-employee-says, Accessed September 11, 2013.

Matthew 6:4 (NASB) so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

A man eating in a Boston restaurant recently overheard a mother and daughter burst into tears when they got some bad news on their phone. He decided to help by paying for their meal, and asked the waiter to bring him their check and asked him not to tell. After he combined the two bills, the waiter said, “I waited until the guy left and told the Ladies he had taken care of their check, and that he said best wishes, which was what he said to do on the note he wrote me on his second bill.” He added, “The mother cried even harder. I almost lost it.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Man overhears sad tale in diner, secretly pays for meal, http://now.msn.com/diner-picks-up-tab-after-overhearing-bad-news-in-boston-restaurant, Accessed October 17, 2013.

Matthew 6:4 (NASB) so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

In Japan a pet supplement manufacturer, B&H Lifes has introduced a luxury item for cats. Japanese cat owners can now purchase a nonalcoholic wine for their cats. It doesn’t have alcohol but it does have plenty of catnip. “B&H suggest owners use it to celebrate holidays or birthdays with their feline companions.”

When people have money to spend on luxury items for their pets they should seriously consider the example of the Macedonian churches. They gave more than they could spare to meet real human needs in their world. Perhaps we should take another look at the way we spend our own resources. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NKJV) Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: (2) that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. (3) For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, (4) imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. (5) And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.

Every year PNC Wealth Management keeps track of the cost of purchasing a set of the gifts listed in classic carol, “The Twelve days of Christmas.” The group says though the government’s Consumer Price Index only increased by 1 percent over the last year, the twelve days of Christmas will cost $27,393 in 2013, which is up by 7.7 percent over 2012. The company said it uses retailers and several organizations around the Philadelphia area to calculate the cost of the gift giving in the song. They show the cost for 10 lords-a leaping jumped by ten percent, and the cost for nine ladies dancing was up by nearly 20 percent. The only item that went down was the partridge’s pear tree which went down about 3 percent. PNC said buying all the gifts online would actually cost $12,000 more than making the purchases in person.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Cost of "Twelve Days of Christmas" gifts leaps in 2013, http://news.yahoo.com/cost-twelve-days-christmas-gifts-leaps-2013-170047581.html, Accessed December 2, 2013.

Proverbs 11:25 (NASB) The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered.

Retailers that help customers by allowing them to extend payment on their Christmas gifts through layaway say they are seeing a growing trend of people who want to help others by paying off their layaway balances. Several major retailers say they have seen more than 1,000 instances each season totaling over $1.5 million. When a generous person comes in and pays off someone’s layaway balance the store then calls the person to tell them that they can pick up their items because the price has been paid. That way the mystery donor remains anonymous.

Dave is such a person, and has paid layaway accounts for several years. He says each year he gives his wife a receipt for her birthday showing all of the account balances he has paid off. He says for him it is a way to give back to the community. Dave says, --Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Best. Present. Ever. Swarms of 'Layaway Santas' expected as payments come due, by Ben Popken, http://www.nbcnews.com/business/best-present-ever-swarms-layaway-santas-expected-payments-come-due-2D11727054, Accessed December 12, 2013.

Matthew 6:3 (NASB) "But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

While shoppers rushed in and out of a Missouri department store the day after Thanksgiving, someone stopped at a Salvation Army Kettle long enough to drop in a big gift. When they counted the totals that night, officials discovered five checks for $10,000 each wrapped up inside one dollar bills, adding up to a $50,000 for the local chapter. Lt. Jamie Curry said it is never the same person and the bell ringers cannot tell who put what gift in, because the large checks are wrapped in smaller denominations. The only they know it is coming from the secret donor is the way the checks are wrapped. Curry estimates the mysterious donor has given at least $500,000 over the past 10 years. The money will be used to support the organization’s clothing and housing initiatives, including a meal program that feeds several hundred people a day. Curry said, “You can imagine how many people we’ve been able to help with all that.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Salvation Army 'Secret Santa' Strikes Again With $50K Donation, by Katie Kindelan, http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/salvation-army-39-secret-santa-39-strikes-again-201617443--abc-news-topstories.html, Accessed December 5, 2013.

Proverbs 28:27 (NASB) He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

A Knoxville, Tennessee server received an unexpectedly large tip and it came at just the right time. Khadijah Muhammad works at the restaurant and gives her time serving homemade pies, muffins, and soup to homeless people in her area. Her mother had been sick, and Muhammad had taken a lot of time off to go be with her. When she got back, she realized how much work she had missed, and was concerned about how she would pay the bills that month. She had asked to work extra, and that morning the utility company had a left a note on her door threatening to cut off the electricity. At work that day, Muhammad served a couple, and said they really didn’t stand out. After they left, she returned to the table to see that the receipt was turned upside down which is not usually good news. The total bill was $29.30, but the couple had left her a tip of $1075. There was a note included with the tip which said, “Jesus blessed us and we were led to give it to you. God Bless!” Muhammad said she was thankful for the gift, and amazed that it came at just the right time. Her first response was to plan to do the same thing for someone else one day. She said, “I hope and pray that someday I’m able to do this for somebody. And at the first opportunity I will do it.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Knoxville waitress gets $1,075 tip when needed most, By Jim Matheny,http://www.wbir.com/story/news/local/2014/01/23/cheddars-knoxville-waitress-thousand-dollar-tip/4805469, Accessed January 23, 2014.

Proverbs 3:27-28 (HCSB) (27) When it is in your power, don’t withhold good from the one it belongs to. (28) Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back later. I’ll give it tomorrow”—when it is there with you.

Greg Snider pulled into a parking lot in Houston to make a business call. While he was there, a homeless man approached the car and asked for change, so Snider gave him 75 cents and drove off. When Snider pulled onto a nearby freeway, police stopped him and surprised him by how aggressive the officers were. They ordered him out of his car and handcuffed him insisting that he had given the man drugs. Snider told them that he had only given the man some money, but the officers did not believe him. He gave them permission to search his car and waited for an hour as they looked for drugs. He told them repeatedly that he had only given the man money, but no one believed him. When the police finally released him, Snider said he was not happy about the damage done to his car, or that the officers were actually laughing about the mistake. He has since filed a complaint with the department over the way he was treated and does not know how helping someone in need caused so much trouble.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Man gives change to homeless person, is handcuffed and held by police for an hour, by Will Lerner, http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/oddnews/man-gives-change-to-homeless-person--is-handcuffed-and-held-by-police-for-an-hour-223247155.html, Accessed January 16, 2014.

Proverbs 19:17 (HCSB) (17) Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will give a reward to the lender.

An anonymous millionaire with cash to spare is giving an unusual gift to the people of San Francisco. The man, who would only say that he is a successful real estate investor between the ages of 35 and 45, is hiding envelopes containing cash and then leaving clues about his drops on Twitter. The people who find the money then post photos of them with the cash in hand, revealing that they found the envelopes taped under benches or on parking meters. Richard Rodriguez and a friend raced to a nearby street after they saw a hint that the cash would be hidden on a parking meter there. At first, they didn’t find anything, but then a car drove by and threw an envelope out the window. Rodriguez said the envelope contained $66 in cash. When asked about the find, he said “The money was great but it was also so much fun doing something like this. It was a scavenger hunt. Rodriguez added, “It’s not a lot of money. It’s not going to change your life. But the camaraderie it brings out in people is a lot of fun.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Millionaire Hiding Envelopes of Cash Around San Francisco, By Rhea Murray, http://abcnews.go.com/US/millionaire-hiding-envelopes-cash-san-francisco/story?id=23871103, Accessed May 26, 2014.

Proverbs 3:9 (HCSB) Honor the LORD with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest;

A group of firefighters in California was surprised to discover that a woman who identified herself only as “Air Force Wife,” had paid for their groceries while they responded to an emergency call. The men were standing in line at Costco when they received an emergency call and had to leave. When they returned, they discovered a note that said, “Thank you firefighters for all you do—have a good weekend.” Since they had no other way to thank the woman, they posted a note of appreciation on their department’s Facebook page. They also used the opportunity help someone, using the extra money to help an elderly couple behind them buy some flowers. They also planned to host a special dinner for a local veteran the following week. Several people who saw the social media post commented saying it was good to see that there were still good people around.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Firefighters' groceries paid for by anonymous 'Air Force wife', By Mike Krumboltz, http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/firefighters--groceries-paid-for-by-anonymous-stranger-153015290.html, Accessed May 27, 2014.

Matthew 6:4 (HCSB) so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

The kindness of a stranger helped 30 50 40 people keep their homes in Missoula, Montana. The county was planning to auction off the homes due to delinquent taxes when, one day before the auction, an anonymous donor paid the $9,600 in taxes, interest, and fees the homeowners owed. The tax Clerk said she had seen anonymous donors pay off the back taxes of a family, but no one had ever come forward and paid off the entire list before. She said the donor was a company, but keeping the name secret was part of the deal.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

An act of kindness keeps many from being homeless, By Paige Sedgewick,
http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/an-act-of-kindness-keeps-many-from-being-homeless/28115764?hpt=us_bn10, Accessed September 17, 2014.

Psalm 37:21 (HCSB) The wicked man borrows and does not repay, but the righteous one is gracious and giving.

A man who planned a social experiment by posing as a homeless beggar and then giving passersby twice their money back said his plan was foiled when no one offered him a donation. Konrad Ydhage planned to sit in a relatively affluent area and ask strangers for one Kronor (about .14 U.S.). He planned to reward people’s generosity by giving them back more money they gave him. Ydhage said the problem was no one offered him any money while he was begging on the streets. Rather than give up, Ydhage decided to move his experiment to a nearby neighborhood that was a poor area populated mainly by immigrants. While begging in that neighborhood, he had the opportunity to reward 34 strangers who gave him money. Reflecting on the experience, Ydhage said, “It’s amazing how down I got after two hours in [the wealthy neighborhood]. I really got no reaction at all. It felt like they hated me. But in [the poorer area], the people were so kind. It felt like it confirmed my existence.”

Proverbs 19:17 (HCSB) Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will give a reward to the lender.

California restaurateur Bruno Serato just celebrating serving 1 million meals to local children, and he has not made a penny on any of them. Serato’s restaurant serves nearly 1,200 free meals to children from his community each day, and he just passed the milestone mark. His mother inspired him to feed children and they had stopped at a local Boys and Girl’s Club and say one boy eating only potato chips for dinner. Serato’s mother insisted that her son make the children dinner, and the program was born Lizz Figueroa and her family have been helped by Serato and she says “The only thing I’ve been telling them for years, ‘God has something better for us.”--Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Big-Hearted Chef Serves Up Millionth Free Meal in California, By Joe Fryer, http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/making-a-difference/big-hearted-chef-serves-1-millionth-free-meal-california-n330926, Accessed March 30, 2016

Romans 12:8 (HCSB) if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.

When the owner of an Oklahoma restaurant discovered that someone had been going through food containers in the dumpster, she decided to offer that person a meal. Ashley Jiron, the owner of P.B. Jams said it hurt her that someone had to do that. The thought that someone needed to go through the garbage to eat caused her to put a note inviting the person who went through the trash to come in for a sandwich, fresh veggies, and a cup of water at no charge. She promised that no questions would be asked. Jiron said she plans to leave the sign up until someone claimed the meal, but said so far, no one had come in. --Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Oklahoma restaurant owner leaves note for dumpster diver,
http://kdvr.com/2015/04/13/oklahoma-restaurant-owner-leaves-note-for-dumpster-diver, Accessed April 13, 2015

Proverbs 28:27 (HCSB) The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses.

Abigail Sailors was waiting on tables in a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Nebraska. The 18-year-old waitress was waiting on a table of men who were interested in her story. She told them how after a rough childhood in foster homes she had managed to enroll at Trinity Bible College in North Dakota. Unable to afford the second semester she returned to Nebraska to work. The men left her a $100 tip; then one of them wrote the college a $5,000 check to cover her tuition and another for $1,000 to cover her expenses. Sailors said, “It forever changed my heart and my life.”

What a blessing these men were to Abigail, and how blessed they must be to be able to make such a difference in a life. -- Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Acts 20:23 (HCSB) except that in town after town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of his company, billionaire chief executive Li Jinyuan rewarded his entire staff of 6,400 people with a trip to Europe. The workers visited tourist sites in Paris and wound up in a parade on France’s Cote d’Azur. French media estimates the billionaire’s generosity cost him between $14 and 22 million dollars.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Chinese billionaire gives France vacation to 6,400 workers
http://news.yahoo.com/chinese-billionaire-gives-france-vacation-6-400-workers-102801127.html, Accessed May 11, 2015.

Proverbs 11:25 (HCSB) A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.

When flight control rerouted a Delta Airlines flight to Tennessee to avoid bad weather in Atlanta, the passengers were pleasantly surprised when they got pizza to help fill the time. The flight was forced to land in Knoxville, Tennessee for a two hour delay, and passengers said the pizza surprise was definitely more filling than a bag of peanuts. The plane eventually continued on to Atlanta. Tweets from several other flights that were delayed said passengers on those planes also got special pizza deliveries. One passenger posted a picture of her dinner and wrote, “What makes a few hour delay of night flight better? Free pizza!”— Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Pizza is on the pilot! Passengers get pizza while waiting out delays on tarmac, By Eun Kyung Kim, http://www.today.com/news/pilot-orders-pizza-passengers-waiting-runway-t23031, Accessed May 27, 2015.

Ecclesiastes 3:13 (HCSB) (13) It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts.

An electronics recycling center in California is looking for a woman who dropped off an old Apple computer that turned out to be a collector’s item. Workers found the Apple I computer inside a box of electronics that a woman had collected from her garage after her husband died. She did not ask for a receipt nor did she leave her contact information. When the box was opened, workers found the valuable computer inside. They say it was one of 200 first generation desktop computers assembled by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ron Wayne in 1976. The recycling firm sold the vintage computer to a private collection for $200,000 and wants to find them woman to give her half of the proceeds. The vice president of the company, Victor Gichun says he remembers what the woman looks like and he is asking her to come and claim her money. He said, “To prove who she is, I just need to look at her.”— Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Woman tosses Apple computer that turns out to be worth $200K, http://www.chicagotribune.com/bluesky/technology/ct-woman-tosses-original-apple-computer-20150530-story.html, Accessed May 31, 2015.

Hebrews 13:16 (HCSB) (16) Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police report the story of a Good Samaritan who turned in more than $1,500 in cash. The homeless man reported that he found the cash near Langford, British Columbia. This Good Samaritan was in his 60’s and homeless. Even so, instead of pocketing the cash he wanted to get it back to its rightful owner.
Canadian news website operator Mike Kelly then opened a GoFundMe account to raise money for the man. In the first month the site had raised $5,316. Instead of taking the money the homeless good Samaritan asked that it go to a British Columbia homeless charity.

Like the churches of Macedonia that Paul holds up as an example of selfless giving out of their poverty, this homeless man gave a real gift out of his own poverty. We are encouraged to give generously out of our wealth. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NASB) “Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, (2) that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. (3) For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, (4) begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, (5) and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.”

Giving

A Florida woman who was feeling generous started a pay-it-forward chain that lasted for hours. When the woman paid for her meal at a fast food restaurant, she told the cashier that she wanted to pay for the meal of the car behind her. When the cashier told the next car that their meal had been paid for, the driver was so moved that they pay for the car behind them, and the chain continued. The cashier, Marisabel Figueroa, said after the 15^th car, she started keeping a tally. She said the chain lasted almost her entire six-hour shift. She said in the 12 years she had worked at that restaurant, she had never seen anything like that before. One customer started a chain reaction of good will. She said, “I just kept giving everyone the same message, and they were so stunned and so happy. I feel very blessed to have been a part of all that.” —Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

250 People Pay It Forward at a Florida McDonald's Drive-Thru, By Vanessa Wilkins,

2 Corinthians 9:11 (HCSB)“You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.”

Giving

An anonymous couple dropped a check for $500,000 into a Salvation Army kettle as the annual collection season began. A spokesperson for the local organization, Julie Borgen said the previous record for a single donation was $25,000, and typically a kettle takes in about $30 an hour. Borgen said the bell ringers who received the gift were not even aware of it because the check made no noise when the donor dropped it into the kettle. She said the couple asked to remain anonymous, but said they gave the large gift to encourage generosity. In a statement released through the Salvation Army, the couple said, “You get to a point in life where it’s time to take care of others, the way you were taken care of.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Couple slip $500,000 check into Salvation Army kettle in Rosemount, By Paul Walsh,

Matthew 6:3–4 (HCSB) “But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

An anonymous bidder paid over $3.4 million dollars for the privilege of having lunch with one of the richest men in the world. The unnamed donor was the highest bidder in Warren Buffet’s annual “power lunch” charity auction to raise money for an organization that assists the homeless in the San Francisco area. Buffett agreed to have lunch with the winner and up to seven guests at a New York steakhouse on a mutually agreed upon date. Buffet said he will not talk about his future investments, but he is happy to help the organization, which helps so many in San Francisco. He added,”I’m proud to be part of something that has directly benefitted so many people in need.” -- Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Anonymous donor pays $3,456,789 for lunch with Warren Buffett, By Eric DuVall, http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2016/06/11/Anonymous-donor-pays-3456789-for-lunch-with-Warren-Buffett/9711465668600/?spt=sec&or=on, Accessed June 11, 2016.

Proverbs 19:17 (HCSB)“Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord, and He will give a reward to the lender.”

Jessica Baldwin was getting married. She wanted a memorable event for her bachelorette party. Rather than a night on the town for her and her bridesmaids, Baldwin and her bridal party visited a Pittsburgh homeless shelter where they took the women for haircuts, manicures, a shopping spree, and a restaurant dinner. “This was just the perfect way to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in my life,” said Baldwin.

This may be the perfect example of thinking of others and valuing them over yourselves. –Jim L Wilson and Rodger Russell

Philippians 2:3–4 (HCSB)“Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. ⁴ Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Though he makes his living repossessing other people’s cars, one Illinois repo man had a change of heart and surprised an elderly couple after he took their car. Jim Ford, co-owner of Illini Asset Recovery, said that after he took an elderly couple’s car, he thought about what it would have been like for his grandparents. He pictured the couple struggling to pay bills after their medications tripled in price. He knew the couple had the car primarily to go to the store, and the doctor’s office. Instead of turning it back to the bank, Ford started a GoFund me account and raised the money to pay for the car within eight hours. He then paid the note and took the car back to the couple. He said it made him feel good to know that the couple was back behind the wheel again, thanks to the generosity of others.—Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell

Heartbroken Repo Man Pays Off Elderly Couples Car, http://abc13.com/1621949, Accessed November 23. 2016.

Matthew 20:15 (HCSB) “Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my business? Are you jealous because I’m generous?’”

GIVING

Jim Ford was sent to repossess a 1998 Buick belonging to Patty Kipping, 70, and her 82-year-old husband, Stanford. Upon arriving at their home, he discovered the Kippings were mired in debt from medical expenses and had only $30 to last until their next Social Security check. Jim set up an online fundraiser to help them out. In one night he raised $3500, enough to pay off the car, repair it, and put $1000 toward the bills. Patty said, “It was a miracle come true.”

Like the Good Samaritan, Jim Ford refused to pass by and go on his way. Instead he became involved to help two complete strangers. –--Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Luke 10:37 (HCSB)“The one who showed mercy to him,” he said. Then Jesus told him, “Go and do the same.”

GIVING

A Minnesota man who found two overdue library books at a vacation cabin said he was willing to make a generous donation to cover the late fees and to relive some old memories. Jon Kramer was searching through the books at his deceased parent’s cabin when he found a camping book and a cookbook that had been checked out from a Maryland library in the 1970s. Kramer sent a check for about $1,550 to cover the fees. He said the family trips to the library were a great memory for him and he planned to keep the books because of those memories. In a letter to the library, Kramer said he was willing to continue paying late fees because the books meant so much to him.—Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell .

1 Timothy 6:18 (HCSB)“Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share,”

Cayla Chandara, a 22-year-old waitress in Hawaii was forced to drop out of college because of significant money problems. She shared her situation in conversation with an Australian couple she was serving. They were touched by her story and gave her a $400 tip. A gracious Chandara sent a thank you note and flowers to the couple’s hotel. The Australians returned to her restaurant the next day with a gift of $10,000 to pay off her student loans. Chandara now plans to return to college.

The Australian couple has been blessed to have such an impact on one young person. Chandara has been blessed to receive the gift. Now if she can find a way to bless another person she will be doubly gifted, once as the giver and once as the receiver.

This is the way we can spread the wealth, the wealth of blessing, joy, goodness, and even finances that have been shared with us. –Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Luke 6:38 (CSB)“Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

A text message sent to the wrong number turned into fee tickets for a Stanley Cup playoff game. Amy Santora said she received a text offering her four tickets to the game. She didn’t recognize the number but called the person anyway. The person on the other end apologized and said he had sent the text to the wrong number. Amy was disappointed, but said she understood. Then, a few minutes later her phone rang, and the person told her that the other person only wanted two tickets and she could have the remaining tickets at no cost if she still wanted them. Santora said the seats were behind the goalie, and she and her husband enjoyed the game. To the mystery texter, she said, “Whoever you are, thank you.” —Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell

Wrong Number Text Leads To Free Stanley Cup Tickets, http://www.klove.com/news/2017/06/02/Wrong-Number-Text-Leads-To-Free-Stanley-Cup-Tickets, Accessed June 2, 2017.

1 Timothy 6:18 (CSB) “Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share,”

An Illinois serviceman trying to get home for Memorial Day was finally able to get home to see his family thanks to the help of a stranger. Keaton Tilson was given leave at the last minute and got stuck in Dallas trying to fly stand-by to get home in time for Memorial Day. When Josh Rainey heard Tilson’s story, he tried to give him his ticket, but the airline would not allow him to give it away. Rainey talked to his wife and they agreed to buy Tilson a ticket to make sure he got home to see his family. Rainey said the reward he received was far greater than the $341 dollars he spent on the ticket. He added, “He walked away and came back and asked if he could hug me, and I think we both had to fight back the tears after that. It was pennies, pennies on the dollar compared to what I got back from that hug.” —Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell

Good Samaritan buys plane ticket for soldier to visit his family for Memorial Day, by Jeff Bernthal, http://fox2now.com/2017/05/28/good-samaritan-buys-plane-ticket-for-soldier-to-visit-his-family-for-memorial-day, accessed may 28, 2017.

1 John 3:17 (CSB) “If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him—how does God’s love reside in him?”

A New Jersey waitress learned that a little talk and providing a few laughs can pay off. Brianna Siegel served a couple at a Woodbridge restaurant, and when the couple paid their $20 bill, they handed her an envelope and told to open it when she got home. Later that evening, Siegel nearly fell on her knees when she found a check for $1,200. Along with the check was a note that said, in part, “Whenever it gets hard, know God’s got you.” Siegel said she deposited the check and will use the money toward nursing school and a new car.—Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell

Proverbs 19:17 (CSB) “Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord, and he will give a reward to the lender.”

Officials with the Salvation Army in Florida said they found more gold coins among the donations they received. A report stated 2017 was the fourth consecutive year that someone dropped gold 1947 Mexican 50-peso coins into the kettle outside an store in Pompano Beach. A total of three coins were donated, and each time they were wrapped in dollar bills. The coins are worth a little more than $1,300 each. The money will help provide shelter, clothing, meals, and social service to more than 25,000 people in the county.—Jim Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Clearwater, Florida police were able to recover a stolen van filled with crispy crème doughnuts. The van was reported in the morning, and by late that day, it was recovered 190 miles away. The store manager donated the cargo to the officers, who saved some to eat, and then handed out the rest to homeless people in the area. They said the thief is still at large.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Seattle residents knew Alan Naiman for his thriftiness. He patched his shoes with duct tape, buying food at the end of the day at the supermarket, and taking his friends to lunch at fast-food restaurants. Friends said Naiman was not married and had no children. Though he was intensely private, he stockpiled money to use to help vulnerable children. When Naiman died of cancer at age 63, he left an $11 million estate to children’s charities that help the poor, sick, disabled, and abandoned. He left $2.5 million to the Pediatric Interim Care Center, which cares for babies born to mothers who used drugs and helps children wean from their dependence on the drugs. Founder Barbara Drennen said the money helped them pay off a mortgage and purchase a new vehicle to help transport the babies to their center. She said, “We would never dream that something like this would happen to us. I wish very much that I could have met him. I would have loved to have had him see the babies he’s protecting.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Dakota Nelson lost his wife in September, 2018 when she suffered a medical episode and then passed away after weeks in a coma. To support his three children, Nelson worked three jobs. As they faced their first Christmas without their wife and mother, an anonymous donor who head about the family’s plight gave them $10,000. The donor asked that a local television station take the family two $1,000 gift certificates and a check for $8,000. The station recorded the moment they delivered the check and the video shows Nelson’s jaw dropping and then burst into tears because he was overcome with emotion. Nelson did not have any words to describe the feelings, but a station reporter Nate Eaton said as the family struggles with the loss, they will have something to smile about. –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

A man wearing a jacket with the logo of the New England Patriots went into a rural Vermont Walmart and paid the bill of dozens of shoppers and offered to cover any items they had put on layaway. Julie Ann Gates was a customer at the time and had difficulty believing the man’s largesse. When the man said he’d pay her $200 bill she said, “Who can afford that?” The man replied, “Santa can.”

My first thought when I read an article like that is “why am I never there when someone like that shows up?” But when I think about it for just a minute my question changes. “Why can I not be someone like that?” I don’t have the funds to pay off bunches of shopper’s tabs, but I can be more generous that I have been. “Lord give me a heart of generosity.” —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Ephesians 4:28 (CSB)“Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need.”

An unknown benefactor offered to pay for hotel rooms for a group of homeless people in Chicago when temperatures dipped to 22 degrees below zero. Someone had purchased 100 propane tanks to help the homeless stay warm, but the fire department confiscated the tanks after one of them exploded. The Salvation Army was working to find safe lodging when the city called them and told them about the rooms made available by the anonymous donor. Spokeswoman Jacqueline Rachev said she did not know the identity of the person, but knew the homeless were provided lodging on the city’s South Side.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/good-samaritan-picks-up-hotel-tab-for-70-homeless-in-chicago-505130111.html?break=nbc5086

James 2:15–16 (CSB)¹⁵ If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?

An anonymous donor could not bear to see the forgotten people of Fort Worth forgotten, so he gave most of his retirement funds to help the Church on the Slab buy and renovate their building. The retired railroad employee, who had served in Korea, saw an article telling how the church was about to lose their property because someone because their building was being sold. The man, who asked to remain anonymous, gave $300,000 to the church to purchase the building and ensure they could install heating and cooling equipment, repair the parking lot, and install a baptistery. Upon hearing about the gift the pastor described the donation as a modern miracle. When asked about his gift, the donor said, “This is not me doing this; it is the Lord telling me what to do. Everything on this earth belongs to God. All I am doing is returning it to Him.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

1 Timothy 6:18 (CSB) “Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share,”

An Atlanta area church decided to reach out to families in their community by paying off $10,000 worth of layaway items at a local Wal-Mart. Senior Pastor Kevin Murriel made the announcement for 23 families who expressed their gratitude for the help at Christmas season. The pastor said the church was not asking for anything in return, but hoped some of the families might pay it forward at some point in their lives. One of the people helped said the church’s blessing was the extra boost her family needed. She said she usually went Christmas shopping with her son, but he passed away this year and she wasn’t able to do much this year. Hearing that story and others from those helped by the church’s generosity, Pastor Murriel said, “Everyone deserves a good Christmas. Merry Christmas and we hope that you are blessed by this gift.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.

Dylan Belscher noticed a dollar on the floor as he sat at the back of his English class at John F. Kennedy High School in Cheektowaga, New York. When the school day ended, Belscher wandered back to the classroom. The wrinkled old bill was still there. Even though he could easily have pocketed it without thinking twice, he picked it up and brought it to his English teacher, Katie Mattison.

Mattison, was a little surprised he had turned the dollar in, and she suggested that Belscher tape the dollar to the whiteboard at the front of the classroom, where the student who dropped it could reclaim it. Hunter Rose, then a senior, was in English class the next school day. He spotted the dollar on the whiteboard. After class, he asked Mattison why it was there. She was still waiting for the original owner to claim it, so she replied, “I don’t know.”

Rose took the tape from Mattison’s desk and taped a second dollar to the board. That got it rolling. The sight of the two-dollar bills, side by side, triggered something in Mattison’s students. They started asking about the purpose of the money, to which Mattison always gave the same answer: She did not know. At that point, it was true.

More students, intrigued, taped up single dollar bills. The effort snowballed. Many students wanted to be part of whatever this was. Another senior taped a $20 bill and a $10 bill to the whiteboard. One girl dug into her Christmas and birthday savings and taped up another $20.

The amount continued to grow over several weeks, until it reached $175.76. As for the original dollar, the person who lost it never came looking. Mattison, with the consent of the students, donated the dollars to the ALS Therapy Development Institute, established to seek a cure for the disease better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The students continued to tape enough money to the whiteboard over the next few days to push the amount to $321.06.

Kirst, Sean; The Multiplying Dollar, Reader’s Digest, September 2019 p. 50-52

This incident gives evidence that cheerful giving is contagious. From a dollar on the floor to $321.06. Actually, the final amount increased by another $8.00 over the weekend and after the story appeared in the Buffalo News members of the community gave another $1,300.00. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.

Retired teacher Jennifer Daniel has been helping students at the C.A. Weis Elementary school for over ten years. She started partnering with the school the year her youngest daughter graduated from high school. Daniel got her church involved and they have impacted the lives of many children since. The first project they did was a backpack project and then they began feeding the children on the weekend, bringing containers of food to send home with the children. The school principal Holly Magee said there are a lot of needs in the school and Daniel takes the lead on many of them. During Teacher Appreciation Week, she makes sure everyone gets something special. She and the church also teamed up to provide a pair of new shoes and three pairs of socks for every child. Daniel said, she took the project on because it was where God wanted her to come. She told a local television station that teaming up with her church was simple and important for the children at the school. She said, “It just made sense to start doing things together, and this shoe program is one of the things the Lord used to bring us together.” Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share,

An anonymous customer at a Houston restaurant left the staff a gift to help the staff hours after the county announced mandatory business closings in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. The restaurant said the customer left a $9400 tip a few hours after the county mandated the closings and left a note saying, “Hold tip to pay your guys over the next few weeks.” The restaurant said it planned to remain open as a take-out eatery, but some workers could be sent home if there wasn’t enough demand. They said employees will split the tip equally and everyone will receive about $300. On their social media page, the restaurant applauded the “act of kindness.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

2 Corinthians 9:11(CSB) “You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.”

Six-year-old Daphne Kenny found a surprise in the cereal aisle that made her trip to grocery extra special. While she, her sister, and mother were shopping Daphne pulled a piece of paper from the shelf beside a box of cereal. Her mother thought it might be someone’s grocery list, but it turned out to be a note with a $100 bill attached. The note said, “Whoever finds this, I love you.” Daphne’s mother said she was surprised, and said if she had found the money she would likely have used it for groceries, but Daphne had other plans. She used the money for a trip to the Build-a-Bear workshop where she had two stuffed cats made. Daphne’s mother said the only left to do was send out a note of thanks, and she said, “It absolutely made her day, totally made her weekend.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2020/02/11/6-year-old-finds-100-bill-special-note/

You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.

Workers at a New Jersey restaurant were brought to tears after a long-time customer left a $1,000 tip on a $43 tab. Arnold Teixeira, owner of restaurant said they had recently reopened for outdoor seating when the customer left the large tip with an encouraging note. The note thanked the staff for working through difficult times and expressed how much the family looked forward to coming there in the mornings. They thanked the staff for the food and for the smiles. Teixeira said everyone working that day was touched by the gesture and when they read the note together after the family left, the whole staff was crying. He said the big tip was split evenly among the seven employees working that day. –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell