Reflections: A Personal Journey of Generosity with Beth McLain
NCF team members are some of the brightest, most passionate experts in charitable giving. We share your biblical view of generosity which inspires our work every day. We know that everyone is on their own personal journey of generosity. We’re here to walk alongside your family as you navigate giving, and we take that honor seriously.
At NCF, we’re often motivated by what we’ve experienced on our own journeys of generosity. This month, Beth McLain, NCF Heartland director of giver services, shares her story. Beth’s journey includes growing up as a pastor’s kid, serving in prisons, with a dream for Africa.
Beth, what or who helped shape your beliefs about biblical generosity?
I’m a pastor’s kid, so I’ve been witness to biblical generosity my entire life. Seeing churchgoers tithe was the main way I learned about generosity because that’s how my family survived – my dad’s salary came from people giving back to the church. As a family on a pastor’s income, we never had a lot, but from my point of view as a child, we always had more than enough, especially at Christmastime. As an adult, I now realize how generous our churchgoers were. They gave my parents money from their own pockets so that we would have gifts on Christmas morning.
Through their actions, my parents taught my siblings and me about the importance of giving back to the Lord what’s His. This taught me that generosity isn’t always financial – we can be generous with our whole LIFE (Labor, Influence, Finances, Expertise). They took us along to pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. We participated annually in the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and they supported me to serve on mission trips and volunteer with my youth group.
Sounds like you were given a solid foundation as a child. How has that foundation grown with you?
As my faith has become my own, I’ve embraced the words of Deuteronomy 8:17: “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and my own ability have gained this wealth for me,’ but remember that the Lord your God gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm his covenant he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.” I’ve learned that we can’t take anything with us, and it’s not ours to hold onto anyway. I believe that we are called to do for others and to give our LIFE to others. God has proven time and time again that He is always faithful and He always provides – I’ve never gone without. As a result, I can give my LIFE without fear of scarcity.
Where does your generosity go? Which causes are important to you?
Ever since I was young, the Lord has laid Africa on my heart and made it a dream of mine to one day adopt a child from there. While I wait for that blessing, I sponsor two babies through Heart for Africa, a faith-based organization that focuses on bringing HOPE to the Kingdom of Eswatini, Africa in the areas of Hunger, Orphans, Poverty and Education.
Prior to NCF, I was an account manager for a correctional health care company, serving as the main point of contact for numerous Federal Prisons across the country. This experience gave me a heart for sharing the gospel in prisons. I support God Behind Bars, an organization that focuses on the physical, spiritual, and relational needs of inmates and their families.
How do you uniquely contribute to building the Kingdom through NCF?
I’m the primary contact for Heartland’s givers and charities we serve. I answer questions and help navigate the giving process from the administrative perspective. My hope for the future is to be a connector for givers, especially women. Many givers have the same causes and charities on their hearts, and my desire is to create a community for them to share their passions with one another.
Send Beth a note to connect with her and other Heartland givers.