Meditations

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Proverbs 16:2

“One example of how cultures differ in their attitudes toward generosity can be seen in a comparison between people in the United States and the United Kingdom, based on surveys of the giving practices and social attitudes of people from both countries. Studies of giving in the U.S. suggest that it is “heavily interlaced with self-interest, either directly through tax benefits, benefits from the supported charity, or social status; or indirectly through the achievement of social goals which one might desire, such as better child care, civil rights, better parks etc,” whereas the norm in Great Britain appears to be more altruistic: “They have traditionally rejected mixed motives for giving, and are quite suspicious—particularly of philanthropic giving— because it is so rarely able to live up to popular expectations of purely altruistic motives.”

Summer Allen in “The Science of Generosity” White Paper produced by the Greater Good Science Center.

It’s easy for us in our cultural settings to judge others as exhibiting “self-interest” or having wrong motives related to anything, such as their charitable giving. We must avoid this critical mindset.

For example, I got away to the mountains for a night with my wife. To some, that might be a selfish act, while others might see it as a strategic decision to rest and get quality time with my wife.

What’s my point today? Our cultures might label as suspicious any behavior that fails to conform to norms. We need to allow God to weigh our motives and aim only to please Him in everything we say and do.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

“Besides general social factors, research suggests that the culture in which a person grows up or currently lives also influences generosity. A study of children and adults from six different societies—the United States, Fiji, Central African Republic, Namibia, Ecuador, and Australia—used economic games to test how generous children of different ages were when that generosity came at a cost.

It found that very young children behaved similarly across cultures, but generous behavior began to diverge in middle childhood, when children appeared to start to conform to the norms of the adults of their societies. This finding suggests that although young children likely share a strong and universal proclivity for generosity, cultural forces can temper this impulse…

A different study examined the durability of cultural norms by measuring the frequency of charitable donations by immigrants and native-born people in more than 130 countries. This wide-ranging study showed that the generosity of immigrants was most strongly influenced by the norms of the countries where the immigrants settled, although there was still some remaining effect from their birth country”

Summer Allen in “The Science of Generosity” White Paper produced by the Greater Good Science Center.

This research reveals the impact of cultural factors on generosity. It affirms, perhaps, why the Apostle Paul would urge us not to conform to the patterns of this world. Cultural forces shape us in ways that undermine our Christian faith.

Rather than point fingers at other cultures, ask yourself what cultural forces aim to limit your generosity.

One culture might encourage hoarding while another might exhibit overspending. Some cultures practice sharing more openly than others. When we talk about these things we teach children to behave Christianly rather than culturally.

What can you do with your children or grandchildren to encourage greater levels of generosity and sharing? 

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling His disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44

“One study asked participants to play a series of games in a computer lab where they were separated from other participants. For some of the games, participants had a stylized drawing of eyes (called “eyespots”) displayed on the computer monitor where they played the game. The eyespots substantially increased generosity: Almost twice as many people chose to give money to their partners after being confronted with the eyespots than gave money when they were not shown the eyespots.”

Summer Allen in “The Science of Generosity” White Paper produced by the Greater Good Science Center.

Today’s Scripture reminds us that Jesus sees our giving. He watched the giving with the disciples and made this profound comment that the widow “put more” into the treasury.

And the research reveals that “eyespots” increase generosity. Rather than read this as giving to be seen, let’s think of this realizing that Jesus and people around us are always watching us.

What message do we want our giving to send to Jesus? What do we want the children or peers around us to see who may be watching us? Let’s make sure the eyespots looking at us see sacrificial, loving generosity.

When I took the new header photo to start my day yesterday, on the sunrise walk with my dog, I prayed the Surrender Novena, entrusting my life to God and trusting Him to sort everything in my path.

What’s the connection to today’s post? Let’s live our lives for God who is always watching and seeing everything. Let’s also realize other people see and set a good and faithful example.

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

“Another social factor that influences generosity and has been a popular topic of research is reputation or social image. In one study, undergraduate study participants were given the opportunity to give money to and receive it from other anonymous participants. Before deciding whether to give to a particular partner, participants were provided with that person’s past donation decisions. Receivers with a history of past generosity received significantly more frequent donations, suggesting that people are more generous toward people whom they perceive as generous.”

Summer Allen in “The Science of Generosity” White Paper produced by the Greater Good Science Center.

Today’s Scripture reveals the counterintuitive and paradoxical nature of generosity in God’s economy. Those who give gain even more and those who don’t experience poverty.

And today’s research reinforces this. Good comes to those who give to others. I pray this truth motivates at least one person reading this to take steps to build a generous reputation.

I arrived safely home. Thanks for your prayers.  I am grateful to God that GTP now serves workers freely in 123 countries, turning dependency to discipleship and building trust to grow local giving.

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Corinthians 8:1

“Studies show that people are sensitive to information about the generosity of others. For example, in a field study that looked at voluntary contributions to a national park in Costa Rica, subjects who were told that the typical contribution was 10 dollars contributed an average of four percent more money than did subjects who were not given a reference amount. Telling subjects that the typical contribution was two dollars, however, increased the number of people who donated, but compared with when no reference amount was provided, it actually decreased the average contribution amount.”

Summer Allen in “The Science of Generosity” White Paper produced by the Greater Good Science Center.

Notice the implications of this Scripture and helpful information.

The Apostle Paul inspired the Corinthians by sharing about the generosity of the Macedonians.

And the research shows that how we share about the generosity of others can shape the response by percentage and by total giving.

If we want to encourage people to give more, we should suggest a “typical contribution” amount. If we want more people to give, we should suggest a low amount, realizing that while more people will give, it will likely decrease the total raised.

This inspires those of us in ministry to provide information carefully to grow generosity.

When there is a great need, we should suggest a “typical contribution” amount. When we need to rally many people to give, we should suggest a low amount.

I am thankful for Paul’s example and this helpful research.

And I appreciate your prayers for safe travel home today from Eastern Europe. It’s been a fruitful GTP. Reply if you’d like a copy of my trip report.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

“Several studies have also looked at how religion influences another form of generosity: volunteering. A number of these studies have found that religious individuals volunteer more than non-religious people, and attending religious services has frequently been reported as a strong predictor of volunteering. For example, one study of 50,000 Americans found that religious people are 23 percentage points more likely to volunteer than are secular people (67 to 44 percent)…

A study of 9,464 people from 15 Western European countries offers more evidence that religious attendance is significantly—and positively—associated with volunteering. This study also found that greater “religious salience” (believing that religion is an important part of one’s life) and more frequent prayer were associated with increased volunteering, but to a lesser extent than religious attendance, while religious belief was associated with less volunteering.”

Summer Allen in “The Science of Generosity” White Paper produced by the Greater Good Science Center.

Here’s what the data reports: Belief appears as empty words. Attendance leads to action. And salience and prayer unleash generous service. From this research and my own discernment time with God, I determined to increase regional prayer with GTP.

At present we have Monthly Global Prayer Hour. Please join us on the third Wednesday every month at 5am Denver / 11am GMT at this link (Meeting ID: 820 2592 7614 and Passcode: PRAY). But we will start regional prayer in the next month.

We will do this in the areas where the need is greatest: Latin America, Anglophone Africa, Francophone Africa, Portuguese Africa, Middle East/North Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Asia. That’s what I can do. What about you?

How might you increase salience and prayer where you serve to unleash greater generosity?

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

“One study found that people who were born before World War II (1924-1938) gave more money to religious charities as they aged, and this giving grew faster than their income. However, according to this single study, baby boomers give less to religious and secular charities in middle adulthood than expected (as extrapolated from the giving of the prewar cohort). Both giving patterns appear to mirror changes in religious attendance—the prewar cohort was increasingly involved in religion as they aged, whereas the boomers have been markedly less involved in religion.”

Summer Allen in “The Science of Generosity” White Paper produced by the Greater Good Science Center.

As I share this research, let me remind everyone not to point fingers or take pride in the results but to consider how each of us relates to the findings. We must also spur each other on to growth. Are you increasingly involved in God’s work or engaged markedly less?

The author of Hebrews reminded us to spur each other on to love and good deeds and not to give up meeting together. That habit surfaced in the early church and prevails today. Studies like this inspire us to tell people exchange cultural trends for Christian truths.

Don’t grow increasingly selfish and greedy but pursue selflessness and generosity. This can happen to any of us. We avoid this, in part, by staying connected to others. How do your connections to others help you grow in generosity?

Today I have meetings with key Christian workers in Poland related to accountability and generosity. Our partner 4D Ministries set up these important connections. My posture focuses on asking questions and offering assistance.

I appreciate your prayers for favor for GTP in Eastern Europe. So far the response has been great, thanks to God’s grace and the prayers of many people. Please keep praying and support GTP as you are able to advance this important work.

Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it. 2 Corinthian 8:24

“Are religious people more generous than non-religious people? Do people of one religion tend to be more generous than others? Several studies have sought to answer these questions, with somewhat disparate results.

A study of nearly 30,000 people across 50 communities in the United States found that religious people were 25 percent more likely to donate money to a charity than were secular people, and a 1998 study of giving across the American population, focused predominantly on different Christian traditions, found that self-identified nonreligious people gave less money to organizations who help the poor.

This study also found that more frequent church attendance and the degree of importance that people assigned to their religious beliefs were associated with increased giving, while how religious one’s family was during childhood was not.

For the participants in this study, being religious appeared to have more of an effect on giving than did belonging to a particular religious tradition; the “other religious” group—which lumped together Jews, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and other religious identities—actually gave the most in this study, although small numbers in this group prevented a more detailed analysis of which denominations were responsible for this high level of giving.

In contrast, another study using data about income and religious identity for a cross-section of Americans found that there were not statistical differences in giving to charities that support basic human needs across Christian denominational identities and nonaffiliated families.”

Summer Allen in “The Science of Generosity” White Paper produced by the Greater Good Science Center.

The Apostle Paul urged God’s people demonstrate proof of their love. On this Lord’s day from Czechia, I want to proclaim the same thing to Christians around the world.

As the data appears disparate or mixed, it seems that our collective Christian behavior has left the jury deliberating whether or not we are more generous than others.

The part that stung was hearing that “Jews, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and other religious identities—actually gave the most in this study” when we would hope that would have been the Christians.

Rather than push back or refer to a different study that gives us the results we want to hear, let’s take this one on the chin and resolve to do our part to move the needle. Let’s give in statistically different ways.

The people I am meeting in Europe will likely help underwrite efforts to activate a peer accountability movement here. But that’s not the case in most of the world. At GTP need your help to go and teach and train in those places.

If you have given to GTP, I want to challenge you today to take the step to set up monthly giving. If you live in America, use this portal. And if you live overseas use the Visa or PayPal options on this page.

Thanks in advance for your monthly partnership which demonstrates proof of your love and to sends a message to our global staff that you want to help set up accountability structures and grow generosity in every nation.

Hear this, you elders; listen, all who live in the land. Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your ancestors? Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. Joel 1:1-3

“Interestingly, results from a more recent study examining charitable giving by young adults in the United States found evidence that some aspects of marital giving decisions may be changing across generations. This survey found that the average amounts given by young single men and young couples is lower now than it was four decades ago, whereas the amount given by young single women is about the same. It also found that for couples where the man made the giving decisions, the average amounts of giving were lower among GenX/Millennial couples than among pre-Boomer couples but were higher among couples where women influenced giving decisions.”

Summer Allen in “The Science of Generosity” White Paper produced by the Greater Good Science Center.

This study reports that across generations giving has changed more among men than women. As I stated previously, rather than make generalizations and point fingers, we must each ask ourselves, like the Prophet Joel, questions like this one: What we are telling to our children and our children’s children about generosity?

Thanks for your prayers for me as I have strategic discussions with influential workers in Eastern Europe about multiplying faithful stewards and helping ministries follow standards with peer accountability. I am resting in Czechia this weekend at the home of my friend, Milan Hluchy, in Vranov, north of Brno (pictured above).

But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:7

“If men and women have such different opinions and tastes when it comes to giving to charity, how do heterosexual married couples make giving decisions? A study using self-reported data collected from 3,572 American households found that single men and women displayed their generosity differently.

Men’s giving was more sensitive to income and tax incentives, and they tended to give more money to fewer charities, whereas women tended to give less money to a greater variety of charities. When it came to married people, donations varied depending on who was making the giving decisions.

In households where one spouse took on the responsibility, the decisions tended to mirror that spouse’s expected preferences and influences. However, in households where husbands and wives made joint decisions, these decisions more closely resembled the husband’s expected preferences. Joint decision-making also depressed the overall amount of money donated by an estimated six percent.”

Summer Allen in “The Science of Generosity” White Paper produced by the Greater Good Science Center.

Thanks to all those who have expressed gratitude for this interesting research.

All glory to God for guiding me to look at recent studies. Also thanks for all those who prayed for a great “Leaders Dinner” last night in Sliač, Slovakia (pictured above). It could not have gone better. A peer accountability movement is taking shape in Eastern Europe.

The data about giving decisions with couples grips us.

Men go deeper in their giving, while women spread donations more widely. And yet, ouch! It’s sad to hear that when men lead the decision making process the results get depressed rather than driven upward.

Instead of drawing any personal conclusions or point fingers, please consider your situation.

Do you give with your head or your heart? How can your spouse strengthen your giving deeper and/or wider? What year over year impact do you want to see? Why aim together at growing in the grace of giving?