Reflections: A Personal Journey of Generosity with Kevin McCollum

At NCF, we share your biblical view of generosity and strive to help you maximize your impact for the causes you love. We are honored to walk alongside you in your giving journey.

Our team members are motivated by their personal generosity experiences. Four months ago, Kevin McCollum joined us as vice president and relationship manager for the Heartland office and will be serving givers in Arkansas. Kevin’s story includes camping out for Christ, a lifelong practice of generosity, and trusting in the Lord’s provision.

Tell me about your upbringing and your early experience with generosity.

I grew up unchurched in a small town with a hardworking family. My parents, brother, and I all worked. After coming to Christ at 15, and not having a background in the church, I was blessed to join a great church that was committed to teaching me about living out my faith. I read the Bible with fresh eyes and generally tried to live out what I read with simple application, including tithing 10 percent. Eventually, I learned that tithing wasn’t a “rule” per se, and I grew more eager to give to the church and the needs of others around me.  It became a joy almost from the beginning. Almost immediately, God began to prompt me to give, and I had to learn to listen and respond.

Any early examples of how God taught you to listen to him in the area of generosity?

When I was a student at the University of Arkansas, I had tickets for a major basketball game for which students camped out for a week, hoping to secure great seats. This particular game was being played on a Sunday morning at 11 a.m., and the scheduled time slot caused quite a bit of stir in the Christian community and among some of my friends. 

As I grew more disillusioned by how everyone was reacting on both sides, I began to feel prompted to take a third path. I decided not to go to the game and dropped the tickets in the offering plate that Sunday morning, the same time the game was being played. The Lord was leading me to make this deeply private sacrifice and do the right thing before him.

Looking back, I can see how God used my private sacrificial offering of basketball tickets – useless pieces of paper to the church – as a way to spur people to him. It’s a reminder that God doesn’t ask us to tithe because he needs our money, but as a way to set our hearts on him so he can use us for his glory.

After that, I felt led to organize a weeklong campout in a field on the church property before the next Sunday’s service, and unexpectedly attracted a lot of attention from friends and the community. Everyone camping together would worship at night, and the local news even ran a story on how we were “camping for Christ.” After the week, we all attended Sunday service together.

As an adult, how has your approach to generosity developed?

My wife and I met young and married young. But, from the start, we set up a dedicated account for spontaneous generosity, mission trips, and student ministry. Even as my family has grown and our financial security has changed, we’ve prioritized benevolence, seeking to be faithful day by day.

I had an experience nearly two decades ago. I felt God calling me to adjust my lifestyle and to refocus on him. At that time, I was enjoying some financial margin in a business venture, and the Lord made it clear to me to leave that world and do collegiate discipleship ministry with Lightbearers. I would have to raise my own support. After being the one who would write checks for others, I was now depending on and trusting in the Lord’s generosity to support my family and me. The Holy Spirit flipped the script and restored my heart.

Matthew 8:20 says, “…the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” This verse echoes in my mind a lot. If that was the case for the King of Kings, I think I’ll be okay! We follow him and the material things don’t matter. This verse reminds me to open my hands and to not hang on to things.

What have you learned about generosity since joining NCF?

I’ve been impressed by how our team is so committed to helping believers multiply their generosity in ways that are wise and above reproach, with a creative, pastoral, and personal touch. I didn’t know some of these opportunities existed and want to tell others so they, too, can be openhanded.

Talking and reading the Scriptures with people I meet through NCF, helps me analyze my own heart. When I ask questions of others, I’m often convicted as I continue on my own giving journey.

Send Kevin a note to connect with him and other Heartland givers.