It’s puzzling isn’t it? All around us we are besieged with the messages of what makes us happy. Zoom, zoom—the car. Friends watching the game at the bar—“hey, we don’t want to leave.” The refreshing taste of a cold one. The newest and best features in your phone. Cool clothes. Money to retire so you can buy a boat or whatever…

All these messages are really about getting more for yourself.

But leave it to the scientists: Harvard recently did a study not long ago where they studied the impact of generosity. Their study was comprehensive and involved people from all around the world including those in poor countries. What they found was impressive.

People who give are happier.

If you give to help someone other than yourself your life is happier. Harvard called it “prosocial spending,” but the idea is the same. And the idea of generosity as a means of happiness is widespread. It doesn’t matter whether you are in the wealthiest country or the poorest country. When you give, it produces physical, mental, social and spiritual benefits.

I wonder what would happen if this idea of generosity as a way of life became widespread even to the point of influencing our media messages?

William F. High is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Christian Foundation Heartland. He may be reached at whigh@nationalchristian.com.

But why the ceremony? I mean let’s face it, how many people want to sit through yet another graduation speech. As Garry Trudeau, of Far Side Cartoon fame noted: “Commencement speeches were invented largely in the belief that outgoing college students should never be released into the world until they have been properly sedated.”

On the other hand, as parents we live for that moment when our one special child is called across the stage. We line up for the post graduation pictures with graduate still in cap and gown. And the diploma gets to hang on the wall, which leads us back to the question: why the ceremony?

I think a ceremony is a gift. It represents a passage, a crossing of the waters. We flip the tassel to say that we’ve made the transition from candidate to graduate. We have wedding ceremonies to symbolize the solemn commitment in front of witnesses.

In the scriptures, we see the same idea. In the Old Testament, they built monuments or altars to symbolize something important like the crossing of the Red Sea. Jesus gave us the ceremony of communion—“take this cup in remembrance of me.”

Indeed, in a culture of the “whatever” we desperately need ceremony. We need this gift to remind us that all is not the same, that life is not one big circle but instead that there are beginnings and endings. There is this life and then there is the “long tomorrow.”

So wherever you may be, whatever ceremony you may be in, sit back and relax and enjoy the gift.

William F. High is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Christian Foundation Heartland. He may be reached at whigh@nationalchristian.com.

This past March, I was given the privilege and honor of serving Jesus in South Africa for 10 days. This was my fourth visit to South Africa working alongside Hope2Africa, an amazing organization that uses a creative-arts day camp to bring the Hope of Jesus to impoverished African youth. 

Each day, our small Hope2Africa team served children ranging from ages 14-22, as they used their creative gifts and talents of drama, music, song, and drawing to impact their world. At the rooster's crow, our American team started the day by making breakfast for the camp. We then spent quality time with the youth in the Word of God. This was such a sweet time to grow together as a community. It also focused our hearts and minds on God's truth and gave us the energy and joy needed to share Jesus with the neighborhood.

Throughout the day, the children had the option of taking drama or writing classes before lunch, and then a choice of sewing, computer, or art classes in the afternoon. At the end of the day, the campers had the opportunity to work on their perfomance repertoire for the end of the camp. A circle of thanks closed out each day. 

The camp was located in what is called a "Squatter Camp." In these neighborhoods, shacks the size of a garden shed built of wood, cardboard, and other scrap material housed whole families. Open fires were used for cooking and candles for light. There was no running water, sewage pipes, gas, or electricity ... yet joy and life radiated from the children's spirits. I felt gratitude for the amenities we have in America, and it made me realize just how much our hope should rely in the Lord, as he is our true source of complete contentment.

This was a lesson learned quickly on the first day of camp. That morning, it poured six inches of rain. We (the American team) began to get discouraged because we believed that the rain would deter many children from coming to camp. However, when we arrived dry and fresh in our plush, comfortable passenger van, we were greeted by ALL the children already at the camp. Many were still soaked from walking more than an hour. Others had brought clothes to change and were ready to go. Our team soon learned not to measure the expected attitudes of our African youth by those of their counterparts in America. 

Though we went to reach, teach, and equip, we returned having learned and received even more from our youth. This world tells them they have nothing, yet their hearts are full of infectious joy and the riches of our Lord Jesus Christ!

And over the past four trips, I've continued to learn that it does not take worldly riches, health, or education to have an overflow of joy within the heart. For as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

This is a lifestyle our friends in Africa are already living and one that I will continue to pray for daily. 

The youth performing song and dance

Nancy (pictured far right) with the sewing class  

Nancy Carter has served the NCF team as the Executive Assistant to David Wills in Atlanta for the past four years. Nancy lives in Marietta, GA, and has a daughter, two sons, and three beautiful grandchildren. 

All around the world, there are other places where there is no garage door, no door even. Perhaps at best, it is a shack that will help keep out the rain and provide some shelter from a blistering sun. It is the ongoing drama of God’s design of the gospel playing itself out over and over again of whether a lost people will discover Him and perhaps return to Eden.

I need my reminders. I suspect that is too polite. I need a good swat, a smack to remind me of the triumphs of grace and the certainty of an eternal doom for those that never come to know the riches of salvation, of Christ.

The International Center for Missionary Research tells us in their “Status of Global Missions” that:

• Each day the world populations grow by 229,000 people
• There are 7 billion people in the world
• There are 80,000 people per day who are part of the church
• 33% of the world’s population is Christian
• There are 12.2 million Christian workers advancing the gospel around the world
• The unevangelized population of the world is only 29.3%
• 100,000 Christians will dies as martyrs this year

What do these numbers tell us? The gospel is indeed advancing in great and bold ways around the globe. It tells us that God will accomplish his purpose. He’ll use people to get it done, and it will come at a cost—even the cost of a life.

So I pray for myself, and for those still sleeping, Lord wake up my heart to the glories of your grace that call the brokenhearted to peace. Wake me up to that present reality. Help me to see so much more than the four walls of my garage.

How about you? How is your eyesight?

William High is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Christian Foundation Heartland. He may be reached at whigh@nationalchristian.com.

Heaven help us.

Jim Bakker, the disgraced 1980s televangelist whose "PTL Club" television empire was laid asunder by dual sex and money scandals, is out of prison and renouncing the prosperity gospel he once preached.

So how can you make sure your donation goes to the right place and what else should you consider before giving to your church or other house of worship?

>> Read the full article on The Wall Street Journal's website

I have to say that I was amazed because these Cheerios were at Chick-Fil-A. Now we are long past the toddler stage when Cheerios mattered. But I remember those days when a little tub of Cheerios was necessary for babies too young for big people food but hungry enough for something more than Gerber puree.

It occurred to me that it was incredibly thoughtful—a great gift really—to young moms and families who might have forgot their Cheerios. Some wise managers at Chick-Fil-A had correctly noted the young moms who needed a respite from the stove and just a lunch or dinner out. And they thought of Cheerios.

It’s funny how small gifts produce great loyalty. They make you want to come back again and again. The gift says to the recipient: “you thought of me—and you didn’t have to.” And it says to the giver: “I can make someone’s life better, and that makes me happy, yes joyful.”

Have you considered making a gift of Cheerios today?

William High is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Christian Foundation Heartland. He may be reached at whigh@nationalchristian.com.

More than ever, they are turning to their stuff. The Fidelity Charitable Fund reported that last year gifts of alternative assets rose by 9%. For five years running, the National Christian Foundation has seen gifts of alternative assets—things like real estate and closely held stock—exceed the $100 million dollar mark.

Gifts of “stuff” may include things like art, cars, collectibles, life insurance, closely held stock, rental units, inventory, and grain. Ray Gary of idonate.com says, “Our stuff represents what we value. That stuff can represent what we possess as our own, or we can turn our stuff into lives changed and impacted. “

I remember early in my career that I had a friend who had a classic car—a 1967 Pontiac GTO hardtop. He loved that car, but found that it spent more time in storage than anything. So he gave it away. Nearly in tears, he told me that he couldn’t sell the car but he could give it to Jesus.

As for me, I’m looking at my stuff in new ways. It’s something to give. My stuff represents a life changed, a child in school, the homeless fed, water for a village, hope for the hurting. So perhaps we need to be asking not “what’s in your wallet, but rather what’s in your house…to give.”

--William F. High is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Christian Foundation Heartland. He may be reached at whigh@nationalchristian.com.

In pure business terms, giving back can add to the bottom line by making a product more appealing to its target audience or providing a PR boost to offset a crisis (such as BP's efforts after the Deepwater Horizon disaster). 

On an individual level, there’s a personal stewardship motivation: how can I use all that God has given me to further His kingdom? We’re increasingly seeing business owners answer this question in part by instituting giving programs within their companies.

Here are just a few of the many ways it can work ... and how NCF can help:

Employee Benevolence Fund

• Example: A company might choose to support a family burdened by medical costs of caring for a sick child. Working with NCF, the fund pays the family’s hospital bill using employees’ tax-deductible contributions.
• The fund is funded by charitable contributions from employees.
• The fund is used to support employees in need.
• The company's Human Resources department coordinates payroll deductions for electing employees.
• NCF receives contributions and issues tax receipts to employees.
• Employee contributions can be matched by the company.
• The Fund is managed by senior leadership and select employees. 
  
  

Company "Foundation Fund"

• The company sets aside a portion of its profits in a "Foundation Fund" to support area charities.
• NCF manages and invests the money, providing management reports and online administrative access.
• Company leadership decides giving priorities (e.g., a healthcare IT company might choose to support local wellness initiatives and free health clinics).
• Leadership and select employees work together to decide which charities to support and in what amounts.

Both of these examples use NCF Giving Funds, which cost nothing to start and can be opened with a short online or print application. Contact us today to learn more, or get started now.

Aimee Minnich is the president of our National Christian Foundation Heartland office (Kansas City). 

1. The stories you'll hear. I heard James and Kristin share their giving journey at an event last year, and I'm pretty sure their testimony will be one of the most touching stories you'll hear all year!

2. The connections you'll make. With a room full of passionate people who want to grow in their spiritual journey, you'll definitely find someone that will be able to relate to your experiences or challenge your assumptions.

3. The ideas you'll take away. Every time I attend an event like this, I walk away with something pracical I can do to enhance my family's giving. It might be from the table discussion, the giving stories, or one of the movie clips; but each time the Holy Spirit gives me a specific nudge.

(frequently asked questions)

Generous Giving Morning
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
8:00AM to 11:30AM
$50 per person
Overland Park Marriott
10800 Metcalf Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66210

NCF has had the distinct privilege of serving Chuck and the many efforts he initiated throughout his amazing life. Most notably Prison Fellowship, but there were many others. Angel Tree, Justice Fellowship, Breakpoint, The Centurions Program, and The Manhattan Project to name a few. Everyone should read Born Again, Loving God, The Body, A Dance with Deception, How Now Shall We Live … and that just gets you through the 90s! He was a voice for the Church in these trying times.

Not long ago, I was with Chuck, and he mentioned how thankful he was for NCF. On March 22, 2012, I received a letter from him. In it, Chuck wrote to me, "Thanks so much for your good letter telling me of the grants that have come through the National Christian Foundation to Prison Fellowship. I had no idea they were this great. So this is a very encouraging report to us."

Chuck has been a mentor to many of us that are following in his footsteps. He will probably be remembered most for the things he did. I will remember him most for the man he was. He so loved his Savior that it came out all the time. He was truly unashamed of the Gospel. He so loved our country and desired for it to return to God. Even more importantly, he was a man of integrity and great faith ... an intellectual giant who was as comfortable interacting with a world leader as a prison inmate.

He was a tireless defender of the faith. He always had hope. He will be missed by the body of believers he leaves behind. Thank you, God, for the gifts you gave this great man. Thank you, Chuck for stewarding them so well. We will be with you soon.

This research was released as part of a study that looked non-donors perceptions of giving and nonprofits. It excluded giving to houses of worship.

The perpectives varied based on age and income. The study found that younger people were particularly prone to believing others should make up giving for them, as well as those who are in the lowest incomes.

The researchers also found that most non-donors believe even if they did give, the donations would be consumed by too much overhead. The majority were concerned that nonprofits were doing little to fix root problems, and only address short-term needs.

The answer to how to engage non-donors was hidden in the study as well: 19% have volunteered with a place of worship, and 15% have volunteered their time with a non-profit organization during the last 12 months. So even though these are people who aren't writing any checks, some are serving if they think it makes a difference.

Participation > Engagement > Ownership

This aligns well with what our Mission Increase model teaches. The goal of any ministry should be to help people first participate with the cause. One key to doing this is a signature participation event. By giving people a way to participate in a particular cause, they're much more likely to want to give financially as well. Once there is a tangible experience with a ministry, the trust factor is also more likely to go up.

For more information on our upcoming Mission Increase trainings, visit our Upcoming Events.

Well, in truth, none—at least not yet. You see Carter Posladek is a student at Azusa Pacific University, which makes him all of 21 years old. But he wrote a paper called “How Wealthy Christians Should Give/Tithe.” There, he questions and challenges the ideas of giving and generosity and the tithe standard. He urges that giving should be done with joy, devotion and sacrifice.

On the one hand, it would seem that Carter’s thoughts are those of a young idealist college student. But I catch myself. This is a young idealistic college student. He’s 21 years old for crying out loud. And he’s thinking about giving in new and radical ways. He’s challenging the system of where the church has been and is currently standing.

I know that I was not there when I was 21. I accepted the church’s teaching that giving was duty. I suspect that we all need Carter Posladek today in our lives, in this generation, for our culture. We need him to shake us up, challenge us, and to stimulate us.

Carry on Carter. Shake the foundations. Shake my foundations. Rattle them with these ideas of joy, devotion and sacrifice.

William F. High is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Christian Foundation Heartland. He may be reached at whigh@nationalchristian.com.

My friend Ray Gary tells me that when he became CEO of iDonate.com that he started doing research on the self-storage industry. What he found was shocking.

In an era where the average home size was increasing, the amount of self-storage was also increasing exponentially. There’s more than 22.8 billion square feet of self-storage. Incredibly, Americans don’t have enough space to put their stuff. It’s a disease. You’ve even seen the TV shows: Hoarders. These are people who store so much of their stuff they can’t even live safely in their own homes.

I have a friend who buys homes for a living. He tells of buying one home where there was so much stuff that the kids were so embarrassed that they wouldn’t even go inside.

There’s been lots of news about obesity being a national epidemic. But frankly, I’m wondering if our desire for stuff, acquiring and keeping it isn’t part of the same disease. Not surprisingly, Jesus told the story about a farmer who got into the self storage industry. When confronted with where he would put all his stuff, he built a bigger barn. Indeed, Jesus instructed: “take heed and beware of all covetousness for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”

So what do you say? What is the source of this disease?

William F. High is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Christian Foundation Heartland. He may be reached at whigh@nationalchristian.com.

 There are reasons to think that evangelicals are now giving more to overseas causes. “Ease of travel, communications, and information exchange have opened more eyes to deep needs around the world,” says Jedd Medefind, president of the Christian Alliance for Orphans. “And that has definitely translated into increased involvement of Christian givers.”

“We absolutely see more international giving,” says David Wills, president of the National Christian Foundation, which bundles contributions from evangelicals across America, handing out half a billion dollars in grants during 2011. “I see three reasons: First, exposure. Christians are going overseas more, and when they go, they give. Second, people want more than ever to give wisely, and they see that in poor countries giving can produce huge effects. Third, Christians are excited by the progress they see. There is tremendous momentum today in reducing spiritual poverty, physical poverty, and injustice. People love to give to momentum.”

Wheaton College’s Mission Handbook totals up the budgets for overseas work done by prominent Protestant agencies like World Vision, Compassion International, the Heifer Project, and Opportunity International. In 2008, the sum came to $5.7 billion. That is up sharply from the inflation-adjusted total of $2.8 billion in 1992. The biggest increase in overseas spending came between 2001 and 2008, when real spending leapt upward by 39 percent.

The Southern Baptists have long had both a North American Mission Board (which concentrates on planting churches and serving human needs in the U.S. and Canada) and an International Mission Board (devoted to similar purposes abroad). Today, the international side has grown to a size comparable with the domestic. The NAMB supported 5,096 missionaries in the U.S. and Canada during the latest year, operating on a budget of $128 million. The IMB underwrote 5,000 missionaries in foreign posts, and had a total 2011 budget of $309 million. For 2012, international missions are budgeted at a record level of $324 million, while other missions have retreated to their spending levels of 2006–07.

>> Read the full article on Philanthropy Roundtable's website

Photo credit: Samaritan's Purse

We laugh when we hear that statement, but sadly I’m afraid we’ve accepted the notion that giving equals generosity. The word “giving” is simply defined as “to transfer the possession of something.” Yes, we relinquish control.

But let’s be honest: we can give lots of things. I can give my worn out clothes to a homeless shelter. I can give cash to my church knowing that I’ll still have dinner tonight. I can give because someone pressures me to—think certain campaigns at work or church.

None of those ideas really equate with generosity. Generosity is defined as “liberality in giving.” It reflects not just a compulsory act but a condition of the heart. It’s a heart that demonstrates purity, nobility, and abundance.

My mother has never owned or possessed very much. In my early days, our refrigerator was pretty bare. We knew welfare and government cheese. Yet when I look on those days I remember them with some fondness. Why? It was the gifts that my mother gave me and our family. Somehow she always seemed to squeeze out a chocolate cake for a birthday, or a lemon meringue pie.

You see my mother didn’t just make gifts—transfers of possession. We frankly didn’t have much to give. She was generous—liberal in giving—because it reflected the condition of her heart.

As I write, I find myself challenged by my own words: am I a giver or am I generous?

William F. High is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Christian Foundation Heartland. He may be reached at whigh@nationalchristian.com.

2012 brings with it many new and exciting opportunities – including new database technology for the Treasurehouse and grant process!  Our hope is that this new database system will help in streamlining the online process and provide a great user experience for applicants. At this time, we anticipate the RFP and grant application being live on our website by April 20^th.

Additionally, we are working on some exciting changes for the Passion Awards celebration event that you will not want to miss! Mark your calendars and plan to join us Monday, November 12, 2012 at 6:00pm at the Grand Ballroom, Kansas City Convention Center, KC, MO.

More information coming soon. . . but for now we leave you with this consideration from Ephesians 3:20 -  Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,  Do we dare to believe that God is able to go Beyond Imagination?!

Craig wondered if he could turn that dust into gold. So he donated the car. The resulting sale of the car produced enough cash to help victims of sex trafficking get off the street—lives saved for all of eternity. These would be lives that would walk on the streets of gold in heaven.

Like Craig, more and more people are beginning to think creatively about giving. Ray Gary of iDonate tells of numerous stories like Craig. “I’ve seen people give everything from soybeans, baseball card collections, Persian rugs, cell phones to the car they were considering trading in.”

Not long ago, I ran into a farming family. They gave away some of their farm ground contrary to the age old adage of “don’t sell the farm.” When asked why, they tell the story of how they felt that the Lord was asking them, “What do you have in your hand [to give]?” They replied, “A farm.” So they gave the farm.

The proceeds of that farm are now being used to fund missions work in distant lands, and further being use to teach another generation about giving and generosity. So literally, their dirt became gold—Kingdom capital.

What do you have in your hand?

--William F. High is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Christian Foundation Heartland. He may be reached at whigh@nationalchristian.com.