Holy wrestling: hands-on workshops explore family generosity
Increased family unity through generosity: Is it possible? If so, what would it look like – and how would you get there?
That was the subject of three workshops NCF Michigan held this fall across the state. The goal was to discuss the topic of generosity as it pertains to our families – the people closest to us who currently, or will someday, help manage our resources. At these gatherings, individuals, couples, parents, children, and grandparents walked through a section of NCF’s Giving Strategy™ program and walked away with a one-page guide to potential next steps.
We opened the evening with the joy of a shared meal and fellowship before diving into a devotional selection from NCF’s 10 principles of biblical generosity. The two selections, “God owns everything” and “Time is of the essence” helped set the stage for our conversation. We were reminded that not only does the whole universe belong to God, but ourselves as well, including our energy, resources, time, and attention. Yes, giving encompasses finances. However, Christlike giving involves first surrendering even our minds and bodies to God for His use.
Secondly, the urgency of this conversation was underscored by verses like Psalm 90:12, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Conversations around money, and with our extended family, can often be messy – making us want to avoid them! But if we aren’t promised tomorrow, then it’s wise to be intentional with our generosity and share principles with the next generation today.
During the main portion of our program, participants used a hard copy Giving Strategy booklet to record answers to a series of questions. (Email michigan@ncfgiving.com to request a hard copy or start the online workbook.) We considered whether certain statements about generosity within family inspired confidence or felt challenging. We identified themes to celebrate within our families, like parents who modeled generosity or children who are passionate about specific charitable causes. We also discussed some pain points when it comes to shared generosity, such as an unwillingness to discuss finances, a disconnect between charitable wishes, or family who don’t share our values.
The evening ended with a time of prayer and reflection to discern possible next steps. Guests were given a copy of the book Family. Money. by Wills, Parker & Sperry. (Again, reach out to michigan@ncfgiving.com to request a copy.) As the holiday season begins, we’re excited about more opportunities to engage in giving conversations with our families. Some of the conversation prompts, adapted from the ministry of Generous Giving, include:
- How do you recall our family talking about money as you grew up? Any mottos, sayings, or values?
- Who is the most generous person you know?
- How much stuff is enough?
- Does giving often feel more like a duty or desire?
- Can you imagine a scenario where giving is fun?
- What’s the most generous gift you’ve ever received?
We pray that, collectively, we’ll continue to listen to what God is saying. We believe He wants to use generosity to bring about transformation within us and within our families. It all starts with a simple, small step of obedience! Don’t worry about getting it perfectly right – the important thing is to begin. To learn more about the Giving Strategy, request a copy of these resources, or talk with a member of our team about a particular situation, email michigan@ncfgiving.com or call 616.957.4372.