Katherine Tsay

Katherine Tsay. I live in SF with my husband Eugene and I’m currently working at LinkedIn. I did not grow up in a Christian home and from the earliest age, my father always talked to me about the importance of acquiring income-producing assets so I’m definitely a natural investor. Fast forward to age 25, I was so moved by the generosity of a few of my Christian friends that I wanted to know the God they worshiped. That realization eventually led me to Christ and so my faith journey is one and the same as my generosity journey.

When I became a follower of Jesus, I realized that everything I own belongs to Him. For years I spent money aimlessly, believing that because I worked hard, I deserved whatever I could afford. However, upon deeper reflection, I realized that everything in my life, from my sacrificial parents to my wonderful education and the many career opportunities were actually gifts from Him. With that in mind, Eugene and I want any windfalls or salary increases to result in a rising standard of giving, not a rising standard of living.

God is so unbelievably extravagant in his generosity - He gave up His most precious son for all of us! It’s also so easy to forget how seamlessly He provides for us in our greatest time of need. I experienced it most radically after losing both my parents and my best friend in the span of a few years. Thanks to my wonderful friends and church community, I was enveloped in so much love and support.

I started my career in NYC in investment banking and like so many of my colleagues, I used mindless consumption as a coping mechanism. Over time, I fell into the belief that I “needed” a certain income to merely get by as consumption became a hobby in and of itself. To fight the dangers of wealth, we try to stay grounded by exposing ourselves to economic diversity through service and surrounding ourselves with like-minded followers who can keep us accountable!

I equate treasuring Jesus with first seeking the Kingdom of God. For me, it is far too easy to get caught up in idols that surround giving, such as placing an overemphasis on living simply or giving to build up my own ego. When we’re not careful about first seeking the Kingdom of God, giving can be used to serve our own needs. Constant and fervent prayer that our giving is truly an act of treasuring Him is how we grow in this area.

… the pervasive and often undetectable influence of our culture on our lives. It’s far too easy to let the cultural opinions of our day influence how we live our lives and not our true calling of following Christ.

I’ve long struggled with a consistent prayer life and I’ve only recently hit a good rhythm. I commute to work on Caltrain or the bus and I use that time to write in my prayer journal. Writing helps me so much! I also listen to podcasts of sermons from a few of my favorite pastors throughout the week. Finally, my calendar rules my life so I make sure to get events on the calendar that help us live for eternity and not for ourselves (such as the Awake Conference!).

Our giving process is not very scientific. During our financial planning meetings, my husband and I discuss our giving goals and areas we want to prioritize. As an example, this year, outside of church giving, we are primarily focused on supporting small, local organizations that seek to empower marginalized groups through spiritual formation and building tangible skills. We love to support non-profits that give a hand up and not a hand out. We also set aside funds for spontaneous giving to ensure that we are always seeking opportunities to give whether it be to non-profits or a person in need.

To whom much is given, much is expected.

While I still fail at this on a pretty regular basis, my ultimate aim is to love God and love my neighbors. With that in mind, I hope the 3 words that I will be remembered by are: faithful, loving and gracious.