Kingdom Philanthropy

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. — I Timothy 6:17-19

Do you trust in your resources for comfort and security instead of God?  Have you experienced the joy of trading in your temporary, earthly resources for eternal treasure in heaven?  Do you want to see the Lord expand your impact and ministry?

The history of American philanthropy can be traced back to Andrew Carnegie, a man who despite being born into poverty amassed an incredible fortune and became known as one of the greatest philanthropists of his time.  Carnegie recognized that wealth was not the means to happiness and chose not to become enslaved by it, instead giving almost 90% of his fortune away (equivalent to $4.76 billion in 2015) before he died.  At the 1895 dedication of the Carnegie Free Library in Pittsburgh, Carnegie stated:

“I have known millionaires starving for lack of the nutriment which alone can sustain all that is human in man, and I know workmen, and many so-called poormen, who revel in luxuries beyond the power of those millionaires to reach.  It is the mind that makes the body rich.  There is no class so pitiably wretched as that which possesses money and nothing else.”

Although Carnegie recognized that life is not found in wealth and wisely left a legacy of good deeds, his generosity was motivated out of duty rather than love.  He was a philanthropist by the Webster’s Dictionary definition of philanthropy: “goodwill to fellow members of the human race.”  Carnegie believed that it was the responsibility of the rich to use their wealth to improve society, and consequently, he devoted the latter part of his life to doing just that.

As Christians, we are called to be philanthropists in a deeper sense.  The word “philanthropy” comes from the Greek.  Its literal meaning is phil, meaning “loving,” and anthropos, meaning “mankind.”  Thus, philanthropy is simply “loving mankind.” Being a Kingdom philanthropist is to redeem philanthropy from its wordly meaning of giving out of obligation, and living the essence of what true philanthropy is: demonstrating love through the giving of resources.

Many people are committed to doing good works, and many people have done remarkable, incredibly generous things with their wealth, but God says that anything done without love is worth nothing: “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3).

The Apostle Paul explains in 1 Timothy that we are given wealth in this life so that we may be rich in good works, excited and ready to give to others what the Lord has given to us.  By living this life of Kingdom philanthropy, we are about our Father’s business, creating a foundation for eternity and using our earthly wealth to store up heavenly, eternal treasure.

What is the Lord calling you to lovingly give to others from the blessings He has given to you?  We worship God through our giving of time, talent, and treasure. Do you want to see your impact grow?  Do you pray for your ministry to be expanded? Start by giving as the Holy Spirit leads and praying for a heart of love as you give. The Lord cannot trust us with more until we demonstrate our righteous stewardship of the resources He has already given: “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much…” (Luke 16:10) 

When we take the step to worship God through the giving of our time, talent, and treasure, we:

• Recognize Jesus as Lord in our lives.
• Demonstrate the love of Christ through our generosity.
• Trade in our temporary, earthly wealth for eternal treasure in heaven.
• Allow God to entrust us with more resources, expanding our eternal impact as we continue to generously give to others.
• Live a life of freedom as we turn our hearts from a trust in wealth to a trust in the One who gives wealth.

My prayer for you today is that you will follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and give freely with a heart of love, reaping the spiritual blessings of peace, joy, and freedom that are only found in our Lord Jesus Christ.