“When I was 25 I wish I had seen how giving is a real personal partnership. I would have benefited from the vision of really getting behind and backing gifted and gospel-minded men and women. I wasn’t thinking about how to reach the next generation of believers or how to train up future Bible teachers and preachers. There’s also a responsibility to know the support is doing more good than harm. It can be a very time consuming discipline at times to stay on top of what we give to, the direction the works are going, and the ministry’s financial situation. It can also be hard saying no to worthy causes to make sure our giving goes to the best ones.”
Ben Stone, ENGLAND
“At age 25, I wish I knew that Jesus doesn’t measure generosity with just numbers, but also by what’s in our hearts. He said of the poor widow who gave her last two copper coins, “This poor widow has put in more than all of them.” (Luke 21:3) I used to disqualify myself from giving because I didn’t think I could give enough. Generosity seemed like an achievement I was supposed to do, but just couldn’t be good enough. I wish I knew that generosity is not about giving what I don’t have, but about stewarding what I do have. God owns everything and invites us into the greater joy of using his resources to serve and bless others in Jesus’ name. I think my 25-year-old self might have felt more motivated to increase my financial giving out of the joy and freedom that comes from that realization.”
Helen Schmid, PENNSYLVANIA
“I wish I could have understood that freedom doesn’t come by having more and more money. Freedom comes from giving up control of the money God gives you and making it available to him for his kingdom. The money I have isn’t mine anyways. It belongs to God and I am a steward. Freedom is when God nudges your heart to release it and you obey. If God calls you to give more of your income, he can bless your occupation or your portfolio and replace those assets whenever he wants to. He may or he may not, but he is good. God’s children live in too much fear of money, instead of believing that God is generous and he loves to give his children good gifts.”
Ron Anderson, NEBRASKA
© 2025 John Rinehart