More Creative Giving Strategies for Christians

Maybe giving generously and creatively comes naturally to you — but maybe it doesn’t. For those of us who are more goal-oriented or simply want to really make a splash with exceptional giving, we can use creativity and competition to help evoke those feelings of excitement and provide an extra opportunity for God’s grace to empower us and work through our natural desires.

Champion a Specific Cause

Most of us become more motivated to give when we can see a specific result of our gifts. Maybe God would allow your enthusiasm for giving to be increased by focusing on a certain project in your church or the need of a missionary or life affirming pregnancy center. Perhaps you know someone who currently has a financial need you could help to meet. Whatever the cause, your giving can take on a face, allowing it to become more personal. You could pray specifically about how God’s will could be accomplished through the project or cause, giving in His name.

Create an Additional Avenue of Income

All the debt-free living experts seem to agree that extreme indebtedness requires extreme measures — not only by living simply and frugally, but also by creating an additional avenue of income. In the same way, when we realize God’s extreme, or “abounding,” grace in our lives, isn’t it fitting to serve and give to Him in equally extreme ways? In keeping with 2 Corinthians 9:8, perhaps we could consider getting a little radical, or extreme, by taking on a part-time job for a while, simply to allow us to give more generously.

Challenge Others To Give Generously

One way to maximize our own donations while encouraging others’ generosity is through a matching-gift scenario. (And we are told, as believers, that part of our purpose in connecting with one another should be to encourage good works in one another’s lives! Hebrews 10:25) We’ve all heard of these through various fundraising campaigns.

For instance, let’s say you were able to earn or otherwise sock away $100 or even $1,000 or more toward a specific cause or project. By informing the organization of your desire to see your gift matched, you could tell them that gifts for a specific timeframe will be matched, up to the amount you have already saved. That kind of creative giving can help your hard-earned dollars multiply, because, let’s face it: Everyone loves a challenge.

As we become more intentional and creative about giving, God can use the same dedication with which we ordinarily might approach our careers or hobbies to bless those around us and further His kingdom. When we allow Him to work in and through us in that way, He is glorified by our lives!