Why We Give
Some First Presbyterian members share the motivation behind their donations
Tyler & McKenna Law
How did you learn about giving and start to give?
Tyler: I was raised in the church with parents who gave so much of their time as deacons, Sunday school teachers, youth volunteers, Scout leaders, etc. Each Christmas, they organized a gingerbread house party for one of the church ministries, and it is one of my fondest memories from Christmas each year!
Once I got my first full-time job after college and I felt like I had money to give, I sponsored a child in my church’s Club 3:30 program. I had been volunteering with them for a year at that point, so I was excited to be able to start giving back.
McKenna: My parents led by example. They gave faithfully to the church throughout my childhood. What stands out to me the most is the giving I could see them doing when I knew it was really hard for them to give. There were times when money was tight, but they taught me and my siblings that God provides. He provides in times of abundance and in times of need. He’s given us everything we have, and, while it may seem hard to do at times, giving back to him and the church is a way of being faithful, grateful, and obedient.
When I was in college and made the decision to join a church, I immediately knew that I had to give back a portion of whatever small earnings I had.
Why do you give to the church?
We consider ourselves a part of this community. We want to give to support the ministries of the church, which we believe are impactful. God has provided for us. By giving back to the church specifically, it’s a way of realigning our view of our possessions as gifts from God, rather than something we deserve.
To what other organizations or types of organizations do you give? Why?
We both have hearts for children in need. Throughout our marriage, we have made an effort to contribute when possible, especially around the holidays, to organizations such as the Salvation Army to provide for those children.
Becky Kelley
How did you learn about giving and start to give?
I was raised in a house that was committed to the First Presbyterian Church in Olney, Illinois. My father was a deacon and then an elder in the church. We were brought up to give to others but did not have much money, so we did our giving through our time and talents. In junior high and high school, I would go to a nursing home frequently and play my flute or the piano or play games like bingo with the residents. I played piano for the youth choirs at church and would play the piano and assist with Vacation Bible School.
When I was beginning my career as a lawyer, the senior partner of our law firm, who was in his mideighties, came to my office one day and had a long discussion with me about how fortunate we were and our responsibility to give back to our community and others who were not as fortunate as us. During the conversation, he mentioned United Way and how I could get involved. I gave a gift to United Way and began serving on a team to bring in additional money for the organization.
Why do you give to the church?
There are many reasons I give to the church. The church has made my life better in many ways. The church constantly puts God at the center of my life and reminds me of how I should live my life. Through various Bible studies and Sunday sermons, I have learned more about how to read the Bible and interpret God’s word. The church also has given me the opportunity to serve others in our community as Jesus told us to do in Matthew 25. Plus the church has given me a spiritual home where I feel welcomed and connected. The church offers many other ministries, such as its wonderful music program, its pastoral care outreach, global mission partnerships, etc. We need to financially support the church so it can continue God’s work today and for generations to come.
To what other organizations or types of organizations do you give? Why?
I focus my gifts on organizations that support the poor and economically disadvantaged in metro Atlanta. I know that my parents sacrificed for me so that I would have opportunities that others have not had during their lives. I believe I should give back and try to make a difference in the quality of life of others. My gift giving goes from helping disadvantaged children have more opportunities in life to making a difference in the quality of life of the homeless and the transitional.
Paul & Susan Dimmick
How did you learn about giving and start to give?
We both grew up in households where our parents held leadership positions in their church and actively participated in community activities such as the Boy Scouts, volunteer fire department, parent-teacher associations, and the like. While the philosophical foundations were never articulated in a profound way, active service was how we saw both sets of parents lead their lives.
For each of us, adolescent driftings gave way to a conscious reaffirmation of our Christian beliefs and a determination as to how we wanted to live our lives when we married. Despite the demanding schedule of a dual-career family with three kids, we have long managed to still find time for church and community involvement.
Philanthropy is usually associated with giving money to charity. But the Greek definition of philanthropy is “love for humankind.” Philanthropy thereby encompasses a whole range of attitudes, actions, and recipients. Love for mankind can be expressed through all forms of human flourishing, from education to the arts, and public service. For the Christian, philanthropy must be a central tenet of our faith. God so loved humankind that he gave his only son, our Lord, Jesus the Christ. How do we witness God’s generous philanthropy towards us?
James 2:14-26 has been our guide. These passages conclude, ”For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.” As the years have progressed, we have focused our charitable giving on those organizations and activities where engagement with our time accompanies our money. One begets the other in an immersion cycle that creates a sense of progression and fulfillment. Giving money becomes a method of facilitation, not just a hospitable gesture.
Why do you give to the church?
First Pres is the largest recipient of our charitable giving because it is the largest part of our philanthropy. We are active participants in the ministries of this congregation. We know the men’s clothes closet needs shoes. We know how many dinners to cook for the women’s transition center. We shop in God’s Gift Shop because we know the ministries of our global partners. We see how this wonderful community of believers sustains its mission of serving God and his creation.
To what other organizations or types of organizations do you give? Why?
Our charitable giving follows a similar pattern. We are active with our undergraduate colleges, we serve on nonprofit boards, and we enjoy the symphony. Our money and our time are intertwined.
