My life group at Grace Point Church is going through an experiment called 60/60, based on the book Soul Revolution: How Imperfect People Become All God Intended
Yesterday morning something became very clear to me.
I admit that I chase hobby after hobby, gadget after gadget, new thing after new thing all in the hopes that it will somehow fill something that is missing in my life.
My close friends can attest to how quickly I want to pick up a new hobby, learn all that I can about it, and acquire all of the right tools to try to become the best. I’ve known this about myself for years. My wife and a few friends will point it out in good fun. It does seem funny on the surface but only because you’re not able to see how deep the root really is.
A few weeks ago I came across $500 from a small consulting job. Since then I have been consumed by it. “How can I burn through this $500?”, I would ask myself over and over again. I made several plans, more trips to stores than I care to admit (one admission at a time, please) and found myself day dreaming about what I could acquire. Camera equipment? New gun? Golf clubs? That’s just the beginning of the list. It’s unhealthy and there’s a heart issue to blame.
So, as I wrestle with what it looks like to face this admission, I need your help. I’m giving the $500 away. I need ideas. Where can this money be used? Please leave a comment below. By the end of the month I’ll make my decision and update this blog again with where it went. Be creative. Make a good case.
Yes, I’ve read Matthew 6:1-4. Yes, it scares the bejesus out of me. I’m writing this to make my admission public and to shed more light on organizations or people in need. I’m sincerely hoping for as little “me” in this as possible.
24 Responses to “Help me give away $500. I’m serious.”
so what is missing from your life to create this bent towards false satisfaction/escapism?
By Miguel on Mar 11, 2009
Brentgambrell.com. Help the people of Haiti.
By Brandon Cox on Mar 11, 2009
Caleb: please filter Miguel’s crass cynicism towards the revelation of your need for God. The self-serving criticism of your person based on your public confession is unhelpful to you.
Here’s my suggestion of who to give it to. Note: this will require a lot of self-control as you’ll technically be in control of this money.
How about you give it to your daughter? Put it away for her in some kind of account or savings bond. I’m reminded of a high school role model who would reach for change to buy a soda or snack and then put the money away saying “this is for my child – I’ll buy him or her a Coke, later”. He wasn’t married; had no kids, but had plans and was already sacrificing for him (or her). Made an impression on me – he realized just because he did not yet have a dependent did not mean he would not. Kinda like living by faith, not by sight.
Anyway, just an idea.
By rjamestaylor on Mar 12, 2009
@Miguel, that’s a great question. I’ve been kicking around the answer over the last few days. It’s so much easier to list the things that haven’t worked to fill the void.
Escapism. Yeah, that sums it up.
What’s missing?
I feel like I better have the answer by this evening…
By caleb on Mar 12, 2009
@rjamestaylor Actually, @Miguel is my life group leader. If he wasn’t using this opportunity to press into me and dig out the root I’d be very disappointed.
By caleb on Mar 12, 2009
http://www.compassion.com/please
$500 would give a lot of food and food-growing assistance to folks affected by the current global food crisis.
OR
http://www.compassion.com
Approximately 30,000 children die every day from poverty related causes – many of them without ever knowing they matter to God. For $32 a month you could tell a child about Jesus while also educating them, giving them medical care, feeding them and giving them a safe place to be a kid. You could go on-line and let your daughter pick the child you, as a family, will sponsor. Your money will go to meet the spiritual and physical needs of a child in the developing world but will also change your own family. Exchanging letters with a child who has very little in life is perspective shifting stuff.
OR
https://www.compassion.com/contribution/giving/unsponsoredchildren.htm?MoreInfo=1
You could also donate the lump sum to the unsponsored childrens fund. This fund sees to it that kids who do not yet have sponsors are still receiving the care they need until someone sponsors them. THis fund allows Compassion to care for over a million children in 25 of the world’s poorest countries with around 100,000 of those children not yet sponsored one-on-one.
Hope that helps, Caleb. Regardless of what you do with the $500, I admire you for even asking the question. If we all asked that question – What should i do with this money? – with every dollar we earned, how many of those 30,000 kids would live today?
-Shaun
By Shaun Groves on Mar 12, 2009
Kiva.com — microlending. Do something good and get a small return.
By @paulvx on Mar 12, 2009
Caleb –
I hear you’re looking to give away some money. And that you might want an outsider’s opinion.
I am an outsider. I am 28 and have spent a couple of years in Africa as a missionary. So, obviously, there are some places over there that I would love to see you drop $500.
I think there is a more important value in the money, though. The money, simply given away, is limited and will be, in some small sense, partially wasted. The money will be well spent, however, if it buys you a greater breadth of experience or a compassionate heart for the suffering people of this world.
My suggestion is that you put that money towards a mission trip. Grace Point is going to South Africa in June and you would be almost 1/4 of the way to your fundraising goal with that $500. Ever want to touch someone’s life in a tangible way? Buy your way into that place. Ever wanted to see and smell the real Africa, the place where AIDS reigns and hunger pervades?
Want to find out how to spend $500 wisely? Go to a place that will steal your heart, to a place that will require you to donate so much more than mere money. Go. Breathe the same air as the “least of these”. And watch as the rest of your life is a quest to help in more abundant and innovative ways. Step up to the adventure. Invest in your heart for God’s people. Go.
By Kyle B on Mar 12, 2009
I agree, Haiti. You probably figured I would say that. A few ideas: 1. Sponsor a child through Compassion there. 2. Pay for a few children to attend school for a year. 3. Sponsor a family to get back on their feet after the Hurricanes. 4.Buy a plane ticket to Haiti and come with me to see the need. Beware–that could be the most change of all.
By debraparker on Mar 12, 2009
I’m not sure what’s going on here with Miguel, but I really appreciate your desire to give this $$ away.
My thought? Missionaries shouldn’t have to beg for money. If you know one, give it to him/her.
By mandythompson on Mar 12, 2009
Caleb,
God bless you, bro!
Until recently, I worked in the boonies in Kenya with Empowering Lives International, a Christian organization that takes care of 200 orphans and almost as many people with AIDS. Because of the economy, people aren’t giving much to charitable organizations right now. Hence, ELI this week has had to lay off 20-some members of staff.
Your $500 won’t be able to keep the Kenyans in their jobs. But if you earmark it for the orphanage, you’d be feeding 200 kids for SEVERAL meals!
OR, you could earmark if for child sponsorship you could adopt a kid for ONE YEAR and know that your $500 paid for one kid to be able to eat, go to school, and have a family for a year.
I don’t hesitate asking since this money isn’t for me. I don’t think twice about asking for money for the kids!
God bless you!
Adele
By Adele on Mar 12, 2009
wow. i’m amazed at your obedience to God obviously calling you to do something for HIM with this money. this is a great challenge to all of us. and a reminder that ALL of our money is His and we should be making all our financial decisions with these questions in mind.
all the organizations/missionaries/etc. already suggested are GREAT!
just to add another, check out water4christmas.com. it is a group of “normal” people committed to providing clean water to Liberia {through another organization called charity:water}. with a commitment of $20/month you can join! you could use half of that money and join for the year!!! (or give it all…)check them both out!
Bless you!!!
By Courtney on Mar 12, 2009
Suzanne is one of Grace Point’s finest. She is currently serving as a missionary in Hong Kong. Why not really get some bang for your buck. Back Suzanne for the opportunity to buy freedom for Jacinth and her friends. The leftover money will help pay for Suzanne’s return home.
Suzanne’s blog reads: “One man visiting our team, tonight got up at dinner to tell a story of a girl named Jacinth he met in December in a village about two hours outside of Chennai in India. Jacinth is ten years old, and has been a bonded worker since she was only five. Her family, five years ago, had to borrow the equivalent of about $45 US and in repayment, Jacinth works twelve hours, six days a week with a half hour lunch break, making 2,000 cigarettes a day.
She makes less than $1 US per week doing this. And she has been doing this since she was five. At this rate, she should have been able to pay off the debt after just one year, but since her family is poor and needs the money, they haven’t paid off the debt yet – a debt which must be paid in full, and not in installments.”
By archie rhines on Mar 12, 2009
PLEASE donate it to Real Hope For Haiti! That would be an AMAZING amount of money for Licia & Lori in Haiti! I am giving you their website so you can look into what they are doing in Cazale, Haiti…they are amazing ladies that have dedicated their lives to helping people in need in Haiti!
http://haitirescuecenter.wordpress.com/
YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!
By Tamara Cosby on Mar 12, 2009
I first want to say I love your heart and willingness to be open to this. Many of have the habit of sticking our fingers in our ears and yelling “blah, blah, blah” over and over at the top of our lungs to try and pretend we don’t hear God speaking to us about change.
I also want to warn you…when you begin to step in this direction…when you allow yourself to take these steps, they can lead you on a journey to places you never imagined or planned…it can literally rock your world! I am completely excited and stoked (to show my age) about this…can’t wait to see the end result…
As for what to do with it…really that is up to you to decide isn’t it? Maybe to pray about and see what God lays on your heart, but I list some things that are near and dear to my heart…
-Even though Sean G. promotes Compassion I do agree with him. I truly love and believe in Compassion and what they do. We sponsor a kid through them. They are doing some stuff in Haiti and you know I have a heart for Haiti.
-Speaking of Haiti, The Rescue Center which is ran by Real Hope For Haiti (mentioned in the above comment) is where Ronel is so of course there is some bias there. There is also the Livesays (http://livesayhaiti.blogspot.com) there who do a great work and are involved in various ministries there. I agree with Debra in that you can always put it towards a plane ticket and go there with us…that would be cool!
-Living Water International (http://www.water.cc)is a ministry that Ecclesia partners with and they do a great job of providing clean water for those who don;t have it throughout the poorest countries of the world.
-Human Trafficking…(to help stop it, not to invest in it)(http://www.callandresponse.com)
Anyway, know that we love you and support you 100% and can’t wait to see where this one step takes you!
By Ernest Parker on Mar 12, 2009
Caleb,
I was informed of this by a friend. I would like to put a need before you, however, not in a public setting. I will say this. Our student ministry just did the 60/60 challenge and it was very cool. I like the fact that it’s impacting you as well. It has transformed a lot of us in how we think and process life. Can you send me your email address so I can bring 1 need (among millions) for you to at least consider? Oh yeah, the need is not for me.
Thanks!
Jason
By Jason Fullen on Mar 13, 2009
Caleb:
I won’t tell you where the money should go. You’ll get plenty of suggestions from others. I will tell you this is only the beginning of what God will do through you. Don’t let $500 be the end. It’s the beginning. When you partner with Jesus to give what He has given you, life as you know it will change. I started giving away money years ago and have experienced staggering places in God’s heart reserved for those who share His burden for the Kingdom.
When this assignment is over, ask Jesus to put you on another one. He will. Let Him have all the glory. Give Him the limelight. Stay off the stage. Watch what happens. You’re about ready to have the time of your life!
By MB on Mar 13, 2009
Caleb!
I would encourage you to check out the Women’s Program at Heartline Ministries in Haiti. http://www.heartlineministries.com When we raise $15,000, we will get a matching grant that will make a huge difference to the program. Or better yet, sponsor me in my next half marathon effort to raise money for Heartline.. I’m matching all donations.. which means your $500 will eventually turn into $2000 for Haitian women and children!
http://www.watchingthewaters.wordpress.com
Corey
By Corey on Mar 13, 2009
https://newguinea.kimbia.com/Ross
OR
therescue.invisiblechildren.com
OR
http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dotorg_homepage
OR
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1378187975&v=photos&so=0#/group.php?gid=47896898466
By anonymous on Mar 14, 2009
Without elaborating, yet, give it to your church. Thoughts on that to come later…
By Slade on Mar 19, 2009
wow. i can’t believe it. i can understand being obsessed with $500. its just so easy, and what you are doing is not easy and i commend you. what i think is that there is someone specific in your life that could really use that money. not someone necessarily in poverty, but someone in a bind or just struggling. when we bless those in our community, it is one of the greatest things because i think it frees that person to bless others. if you seek God in prayer and cannot find someone, then give it to one of those awesome organizations above or a shelter in your area. just pray that whomever you give it, will use it wisely.
By jennifer on Mar 26, 2009
i know this comment of mine might be late because it is already April. but still, i want to say something. i am sure there are lots of non profit institutions around you. why not give them the money? i mean, we all know that if we donate something to them, you can get something out of your donations. the number 1 thing that you can get is a tax discount. you won’t pay the tax of the money you are giving them. think about it.
By Kenneth Sena on Apr 3, 2009
I have a great idea, my 15 year old son has a desire to go on a mission trip to Cameroon Africa on July 6,to help the children there and show them the love of Jesus Christ. This would be a great insentive for him to raise the money he needs to go.
By annette on Apr 21, 2009
I think you should not give it to one person or one organization. Jesus fed the multitude with a few loves and fishes. It didn’t matter there was only a little. Tape or staple a little note with a bible verse attatched to a five dollar bill. EX John 3:16 or whatever the Lord leads you to do. A different bible verse could be for each bill. Explain that your a christian and all that you want them to do is to use it for a good cause and pass it on either in time or money. Tell them God loves them and he understands their need and to not give up hope. A good one is give to God what belongs to God and render to Ceasar what Belongs to Ceasar. Explain that God love and that God will provide all their needs and that Jesus is the only one to save them. Well whatever God leads you to say. A lot of people are hurting and they once trusted in themselves or their money but not now, I am one of the unemployed and truely it has been a lesson for a seasoned christian to trust the Lord. God has provided. Sometimes the hardest things in life are what is best for us. God can take our hardships and turn into blessings. I speak from personal experiance.
By Melissa Lund on Oct 4, 2009