The world is full of worthy causes.
Children need protection. Families need stability. Communities need clean water. People are lonely, hungry, displaced, and hurting.
For many generous people, the challenge isn’t whether to give—it’s where to begin.
Where to start when choosing a cause
When every need feels urgent, Scripture offers a helpful starting point. Throughout the Bible, God consistently draws attention to specific groups of people, revealing what matters deeply to Him.
Who does God care about the most?
While God’s love extends to everyone, His Word repeatedly calls His people to care for:
- The Poor—those lacking the resources needed to flourish.
- The Powerless—those without protection, influence, or a voice of their own.
- The Outsider—those who are marginalized, excluded, or far from home.
- The Overlooked—those society often forgets, including the sick, elderly, imprisoned, and isolated.
How do these groups connect to today’s causes?
These aren’t rigid categories. In fact, many of today’s greatest challenges—human trafficking, the global water crisis, foster care, refugee support, and poverty alleviation—touch multiple groups at once.
The point isn’t to care about every issue equally. The point is to discover where God may be inviting you to engage.
Three questions to help you find your cause
As you reflect, consider three simple questions:
- What breaks my heart?
- Who am I drawn to help?
- Where can I contribute meaningfully?
Often, the answers reveal more than a preferred cause. They uncover a calling.
How does God shape your calling to give?
God has uniquely shaped each of us through our experiences, relationships, gifts, and passions. The causes that stir us most deeply are often connected to the ways He has prepared us to serve.
If you’re not sure where to start, begin by exploring the people groups Scripture highlights. You may discover that the cause you’re looking for has been hiding in God’s heart all along.
Ready to explore further?
Use our Caring for Those Close to God’s Heart tool to discover biblical priorities for generosity and identify causes that align with your family’s passions and calling.
About Kristin Hammett
As the Vice President of Family Generosity Services at The Signatry, Kristin Hammett focuses on equipping and encouraging families to purposefully consider what questions God has given them the resources and heart to answer, modeling obedience to his will to current and future generations while actively participating in advancing the kingdom of God.
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