There are very few people who don’t like the idea of generosity. We are indeed a species that loves to help others and confront needs when we see them. Unfortunately, there are also very few people who are content with the level of generosity in their lives. Most people I know wish they were able to give more. And while there are a number of reasons that this may be the case… sometimes the best solution may be the simplest.

To that end, there are a number of simple steps that we can take to make generosity more intentional in our lives. If you have never given away any money or time, this would be a great way to get started (no matter what your current economic situation is). On the other hand, if you are just hoping to raise the level of generosity in your life, you will also find some of these simple steps to be relevant and helpful.

10 Simple Ways to Become a More Generous Person

1. Consider the benefits of generosity. Generous people report being happier, healthier, and more satisfied with life than those who don’t give. Generosity produces within us a sense that we are capable of making a difference in the world, that we are actively addressing the needs of those around us, and that we are shaping our community into a healthier one. While generosity is typically seen as the opposite of self-serving, counting the personal benefits is indeed one of the most important steps that we can take in getting started.

2. Embrace gratitude. Make a list of the things in your life for which you are grateful. Your list doesn’t have to be long. It won’t take much time. Heck, it doesn’t even have to be a physical list (in your head will be completely sufficient). Sometimes, the most important step you can take to become more generous is to spend more time thinking about what you already possess and less time thinking about what you don’t. Once you start intentionally thinking that way, you may be surprised just how good you already have it… and become more apt to share your life with others.

3. Start really small. If you’ve never given away money, start by giving away $1. If you are embarrassed to give just $1, don’t be. You’ve got nothing to worry about: there are plenty of charities online that allow you to give with your credit card and you’ll never cross paths with the people who record your $1 donation. Of course, the point of this exercise is not to report a $1 tax deduction on your year-end tax return. The point is to get started. If you’ll feel more comfortable giving $5, $10, or $20, start there. But no matter what dollar amount you choose, jump right in with something small. You can afford it… and that little push can help build momentum in your life towards generosity.

4. Give first. When you receive your next paycheck, make your first expense an act of giving. Often times, we wait to see how much we have left over before we determine how much we can give away. The problem is that most of the time after we start spending, there is nothing left over. The habit of spending all of it is too deeply ingrained in our lives. To counteract that cycle, give first.

5. Divert one specific expense. For a set period of time (try 29 days), divert one specific expense to a charity of your choosing. You may choose to bring a lunch to work, ride your bike to work once/week, or give up Starbucks on Mondays (wait, make that Thursday). Calculate the money you’ll save and then redirect it to a specific charity/cause. Whatever you choose, I recommend picking something that would be fun to give up – something unique that you’ll remember. And setting a specific period of time for the experiment should make it completely achievable.

6. Fund a cause based on your passions. There are countless charities/causes that need your support. And some of them are directly in-line with your most compelling passions. What are you most passionate about? Is it the environment, poverty, or religion? Maybe it’s world peace, child nutrition, or animal rights? What about education, civil rights, or clean water? Identify what passions already move you, find a committed organization around that cause, and then joyfully help them in their work.

7. Find a person you believe in. If you find that you are more easily motivated and shaped by the people in your life rather than organizations/causes, use that tendency as motivation instead. Take careful notice of the people in your life that you most admire. What organizations/causes do they hold most dear? Who do they support? What makes them passionate about supporting it? And how can you get involved alongside them?

8. Spend time with people in need. One of the most effective antidotes for non-generosity is to make space in your life for those who actually need your help. After all, it is a very small step to go from knowing somebody in need to helping somebody in need. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is to volunteer one meal at your local homeless shelter. Most homeless shelters readily accept volunteers and have systems in place to get you started. And rubbing shoulders with the poor just may change your impression of them forever.

9. Spend time with a generous person. One of the most life-changing conversations I’ve ever had about generosity occurred when I found the courage to start asking specific questions of the right person. I remember starting with, “Have you always been generous?” And immediately followed with more: “When did you become so generous? How did it start? How do you decide where your money goes? What advice would you give someone who wants to get started?” It was life-changing. And the other guy paid for the meal… go figure.

10. Live a more minimalist life. Intentionally decide to own less. Oh sure, living a minimalist life won’t automatically make you a more generous person, but it will provide the space necessary to make it possible. You’ll spend less money on things at the department store. You’ll have more time/energy to help others. And the intentionality that emerges in your life will help you discover the need for generosity. Minimalism has resulted in many positive changes in my life – becoming more generous has been one of the most important.

Generosity rarely happens by chance. Instead, it is an intentional decision that we make in our lives. But it does not need to be as difficult as many people think. Sometimes, starting with the simple steps is the best step that we can take.

What simple steps have you incorporated into your life to foster generosity?

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The full article was first published by Joshua Decker at http://www.becomingminimalist.com/10-simple-ways-to-become-a-more-generous-person/

Hope was pleased to celebrate a sell out crowd for our 2013 Celebrate Generosity in Memphis event held at the Holiday Inn, University of Memphis campus on Tuesday, March 5th. Over 500 tickets were sold to hear messages of hope around the theme of giving with keynote speaker Barrett Jones. Barrett shared his testimony as well as a message of Giving: Time, Money and Faith. The hometown crowd was filled with familiar faces from Barrett’s life including high school, Church and family. Thank you to all who attended and invited guest to join Hope through this special event.

Mike Harris gave his annual State of the Foundation address using the following slides:

Chris Hill shared the following video:

Barrett Jones – Giving Your Time, Money and Faith

Barrett was kind to answer a few questions, sign autographs and snap a few pictures with his many fans after the event.

View more pictures from Hope Generous Lunch 2013

I have identified three specific motivations for why I think all our giving would go up and most likely go up a lot! Let’s consider these three motivations.

© 2012 Stewardship Ministries | All Rights Reserved.

E. G. “Jay” Link is the President of Stewardship Ministries, a teaching, training, mentoring and content ministry working with churches and nonprofit leaders to equip them with the biblical knowledge and training resources needed to serve all ages and all economic levels of believers to effectively live their lives as good and faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to them. He is the author of three books, “Spiritual Thoughts on Material Things: Thirty Days of Food for Thought,” “To Whom Much is Given: Navigating the Ten Life Dilemmas Affluent Christians Face” and “Family Wealth Counseling: Getting to the Heart of the Matter.”

Mr. Link may be reached via email at jlink@stewardshipministries.org

Here are the highlights for gift planners:

Highest marginal income tax rates for single taxpayers making over $400,000 or married filing jointly taxpayers making over $450,000 moves to 39.6%.

Impact On Planned Givers: To the extent that the greater tax savings from taking a deduction against a higher rate means an increased incentive to give, there’s a little more incentive here for these high income donors.

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Capital gains and qualified dividend rates for taxpayers with incomes over $400,000 single of $450,000 married filing jointly moves from 15% to 20%.

Impact On Planned Givers: Higher tax rates for capital gains may mean gifts of appreciated property will be more attractive to donors as a way to avoid this tax.

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Returns of the 3% “Deduction Reduction.” This law reduces itemized deductions by 3% for every dollar a taxpayer’s income exceeds $250,000 single or $300,000 married filing jointly. The law was introduced during the Clinton administration, but was phased out during the Bush years.

Impact On Planned Givers: This provision sounds bad, but hasn’t been shown over the years to be a significant drag on charitable giving. One way to think about this is to say that it’s the state taxes or mortgage interest deduction that is affected by any 3% reduction, not additional charitable gifts.

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The charitable IRA rollover was extended for 2012 and 2013

Impact on Planned Givers: From a marketing standpoint, the message to eligible people who waited was they can give in January 2013 and count it towards 2012 and then also give again anytime in 2013 and count it towards 2013. There are more complicated rules for donors who drew on IRA assets to make gifts in 2012 that we will flesh out in future blogs and analyses.

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The gift estate tax exemption was kept substantially the same ($5 million, $10 million for married couples) as under 2012 law, with the top bracket moving up modestly from 35% to 40%.

Impact On Planned Givers: With higher exemptions (that will continue to be adjusted for inflation) there are precious few people with “estate tax problems,” although these are the precious few gift planners spend a lot of time cultivating. The higher top rate for taxable transfers and the possibility of transfer tax repeal no longer on the horizon make lead trust gifts look better.

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The Healthcare surtax on investment income moves in at 3% for taxpayers with incomes over $200,000 single or $250,000 married filing jointly.

Impact On Planned Givers: This new tax is a minor incentive for donors to make gifts of appreciated property.

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The social security payroll tax goes back to 6.2% from 4.2% for all taxpayers and for high income taxpayers the .9% Medicare tax kicks in.

Impact on Planned Givers: It’s important to remind donors that these taxes are unaffected by charitable contributions.

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Finally, the alternative minimum tax (AMT) thresholds increases and will keep up with inflation.

Impact on Planned Givers: Many fewer taxpayers will be in the situation where their deductions are limited by the AMT so that additional charitable gifts create no additional tax savings.

Celebrate Generosity In Memphis 2013
Tuesday, March 5th, 11:30 – 1 p.m.
Holiday Inn Ballroom, University of Memphis Campus [map]

Last year’s event welcomed Shane Stanford from Christ Methodist Church as our keynote speaker to inspire over 400 of Memphis’s most generous givers and influencers. On Tuesday, March 5th we welcome Barrett Jones from Germantown, TN. Barrett is a Christian and happens to be the starting center for the 12-1 University of Alabama football team. Barrett’s young story is continuing to unfold through his excellent work on the football field and beyond.

A preview of Barrett’s testimony can be seen below:

This will be a great event to celebrate how God is moving through generosity. Memphis is unique in national giving statistics and Hope is proud to highlight stories from our donors and others involved with Hope in Memphis.

Celebrate Generosity In Memphis 2013
Tuesday, March 5th, 11:30 – 1 p.m.
Holiday Inn Ballroom, University of Memphis Campus [map]

Memphis New Leaders
Transforming public education through outstanding leadership

Every day Memphis New Leaders inspire teachers, motivate students, engage parents, and involve the community as they seek “to ensure high academic achievement for all children, especially students in poverty and students of color.”  Memphis New Leaders serve as principals and assistant principals in Memphis’s most challenging, impoverished schools.  The work is both a professional and personal calling, because they believe every child deserves a chance to succeed.

These highly skilled, dedicated, and compassionate educators seek to turn around our city’s under-performing schools and transform the lives of the students who attend them.  Participants make a solid, six-year commitment to serve our community upon entering the New Leaders program.

New Leaders’ work is grounded on clear evidence that effective principals are fundamental to school improvement and student achievement, and the belief that all children, regardless of circumstance, can achieve academic success. Demography is not destiny for children in New Leaders-led schools.

This school year, over 45,000 Memphis area students will be directly impacted by a New Leader’s leadership in Memphis City Schools (39); Shelby County Schools (1); Achievement School District (5); Charter Schools (8); as well as in other educational leadership roles (22).  Since 2004 when New Leaders began serving the children of Memphis, New Leader-led schools have consistently outperformed other Memphis City Schools academically.

New Leaders is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that receives public and private financial support individuals, foundations, corporations, and government.  In this time of school transition, New Leaders is seeking to broaden its base of supporters, and respectfully asks that you become involved with New Leaders’ mission.

We invite you to see the difference first-hand by taking part in a Leadership Matters Tour in a New Leader-led school.  To participate, simply call Liz Conway at 901-881-5119.

“New Leaders works because it’s founded on the premise that leadership matters. We know that it matters in business and in government.  So of course, it matters in schools.  We know that a great teacher can change a classroom.  But you need great leaders if you want to change whole schools and transform an entire city. If you care about Memphis, about our kids and our future, I can’t think of a better, more high-impact investment than New Leaders.”

Barbara Hyde
President, Hyde Family Foundations
Advisory Board Chair, Memphis New Leaders
National Board Member, New Leaders

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[The above article was published in the 2012 Fall Hope Newsletter and was submitted by Memphis New Leaders Senior Manager of Development Liz Conway]

That is the power of change that only Christ can give.

Over the past forty years, Memphis Teen Challenge (33 North Cleveland) has served as a leading faith-based solution to the drug problem. Thousands of men (ages 18+) have come to Teen Challenge and experienced a life changed through an encounter with the grace of God. Teen  Challenge believes change happens from the inside out. This Christ-centered approach to addiction has led to an 85% national success rate among all Teen Challenge graduates after five years.

There is hope for those caught in the web of addiction. Christ is the answer!

In 2013, Memphis Teen Challenge will be expanding their campus with a new ministry building. This new ministry building will allow Teen Challenge 15 more beds (raising the total capacity to 45 beds) as well as re-entry apartments for graduates. Each bed at Memphis Teen Challenge represents a life broken and in need of restoration. It also represents a family torn apart by drugs and alcohol or children and mothers who have been abandoned because of addiction. Their prayer is that God uses this new ministry building to make a greater impact in the Memphis community and a lasting impact on lives in eternity.

For more information or to help get involved with Memphis Teen Challenge, email Executive Director Jonathan Lindberg tcmdirector@aol.com or call 901.272.2308.

http://tcmemphis.com/

[The above article was published in the 2012 Fall Hope Newsletter and was submitted by Memphis Teen Challenge Executive Director Jonathan Lindberg]

Register: http://www.chalmers.org/work/hwh-schedule
Location: Fellowship Hall at Second Presbyterian Church, 4055 Poplar Avenue [google map]

What to Expect
Engage with the core principles of When Helping Hurts along with its author. The morning session of the day gives an overview of the core ideas of the book and the afternoon sessions dig deeper into practical steps for helping the poor whether ministering in North America or the Majority World. Reconsider how you help the poor and be encouraged in how your church or ministry can practically move forward in empowering those whom you help.

Who Should Attend

• Pastors, elders, and deacons
• Church ministry leaders and volunteers: mercy ministry, benevolence committee leaders, food pantry volunteers
• Missions committee members
• Missionaries and short-term missions teams
• Relief and development agency staff
• Christian donors thinking strategically about their generosity toward agencies helping the poor internationally and locally

Learn More: View a 3 minute video about the seminar by Brian and his co-author, Steve Corbett.

For more information please visit the Helping Without Hurting Seminar webpage.

We hope to see you at Second Pres on Saturday, October 27^th.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES NOW AVAILABLE