Writing Last Checks: Broken and Obedient Hearts

2 weeks ago By Jessica Winter

“I feel more than a sadness. Honestly, I am even angry. But what can we even do?” My husband and I have been having a lot of discussion lately about what generosity looks like for our marriage. And the more we have dug in, the more God seems to break our hearts. Our vision statement is still in the works, but it sounds something like being invisible champions for the unseen, the forgotten. The tension we feel between big vision but also the great sorrow puts us in an uncomfortable position. We know the truth—our generosity is not the type…

5 Impactful Practices to Include in Your Generosity Journey.

3 weeks ago By The Signatry

Tidings of Summer & Joy is in full swing, and the countdown to Christmas is on! An exciting part of Christmas each year is finding the perfect gift for the people we love and care about most. What if we put the same amount of energy and thoughtfulness into our generosity and charitable giving?  How can our gifts have the most impact and meaning? Here are five practices to help along in your generosity journey: Stretch your giving. Trust God. We are not called to give only when it is comfortable—after all, that’s not what Jesus did for us! As Paul…

The Signatry Celebrates Nineteen Years

1 month ago By Bill High

Can you believe it’s 19 years? Nineteen years ago, I resigned from the law firm to be part of starting what was then called the Servant Foundation.  On June 1, 2000, my first day on the job consisted of going downstairs to my basement office, clicking on my desktop computer and preparing articles of incorporation, bylaws and an application for tax-exempt status.  While it wasn’t glamorous, it was a start. Not too long after, I found myself out on the streets, talking to as many people as I could about this movement of generosity.  Just a few years later, my…

Challenge the Status Quo of Year End Giving

2 months ago By The Signatry

Christmas: It’s a wonderful time of year, full of generosity, celebration, and family. People gather together, eager to celebrate the birth of Jesus through—in part—the giving of gifts to one another. Children, especially, wait expectantly for weeks to see what the packages under the tree hold. It’s a beautiful season. But why should our generosity, celebration, and family spirit be limited to a small section of the year? What if we had those same attitudes throughout the year? On June 13th, we will be introducing Tidings of Summer & Joy, to help each of us carry the joy of Christmas…

Give According to Your Values

2 months ago By The Signatry

Why is it important to give according to your values? There are millions of nonprofit organizations in the world, and they would all love to be the beneficiary of your donation. Choosing to give to an organization which values the same principles as you and your family gives you the peace of mind that your gift is furthering the causes you care about most. Choosing where to give is a big question with potential long-reaching and even eternal impact! Here are some suggested questions to consider as you formulate a values statement for your financial giving: 1. If you could…

Family Business & Resources Fuel Generosity

5 months ago By Daniel Saldi

The Easter Legacy: The Gifts of Calvary’s Road

3 months ago By Bill High

Some call it Calvary’s road.  And no doubt, we’ll sing songs about it on this Easter Sunday.  They’ll be triumphant songs, powerful songs. As I read the scriptures, I cannot help but think of the reality of Calvary’s road: A common criminal was released instead of Jesus.A weak politician, seeking to gain favor, symbolically washed his hands of the false charges, and then he scourged Jesus.  A scourging alone could kill a man. He was lead away to the governor’s palace to an entire battalion of soldiers. They stripped Him of his clothes—the cloth tearing at his flesh. They replaced…

Returning to the Lost Vision of Generations

4 months ago By Bill High

In every age, there are stories that transcend time and culture Such is the story of Abraham. We find him in Genesis 12. His family is first mentioned in Genesis 11. Genesis 1-5 provide the story of Adam and the succeeding generations. The Adam generations are marked by the general mandate: be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. But with little other compass settings by the time of Noah, the chief goal of man appears to be his own self-satisfaction. Stated differently, he lives for himself. And with this self-centeredness, God sets about a grisly plan: the destruction of mankind through flood. Genesis 6-11 are all about this plan, and the new start.  In turning the page to Genesis 12, we find an entirely new focus: a single person—Abraham. As if to illustrate that idea, God tells Abraham to leave his family, his kindred and his country behind. It’s a new start. It as if God’s focus is directed entirely towards one man, and placing in that one man a new vision. It’s a vision for generations. Indeed, God tells Abraham “to your offspring I will give this land.” He repeats the vision in Genesis 13: “to your offspring I will give this land forever.” By Genesis 15, God sharpens the vision in one dramatic star-filled night when he tells Abraham that his descendants will be like the innumerable stars of the night sky. By Genesis 22, God tests Abraham to see if he is willing to sacrifice even his treasured son and heir.  The vision is repeated with each succeeding generation. And by the time of Moses, the vision is sharpened further still with the Law, a means of communicating a code of conduct for God’s chosen people. The Law would ultimately give way to a Messiah, a redemptive Savior.  The vision of generations is marked by these big ideas. The story of God in our lives. A promise of a future place—a promised land. The story of sacrifice—of being willing to let go, to trust and to let God do his work. When these big ideas take root, we are willing to live not just for ourselves but for those yet to come.  How do you consider the vision of generations working out in your own life?

The Difference in Living Generously

5 months ago By The Signatry

When we think of someone who lives generously, we don’t often focus on the checks they write or the tax breaks they receive. Most often, when we observe someone with a generous lifestyle, we notice how they spend their time, the work they do for the common good, and the character behind their generosity. A generous lifestyle goes beyond charitable donations. It involves a willingness to give of your time, energy, and God-given gifts. Here are three questions to ask if you desire to expand your generosity: Who/how can I serve today? Being generous requires intentionality. By setting your mind to seek out daily opportunities to live generously, your heart will be motived to give in a deeper way. Thinking intentionally about generosity will position you towards situational generosity, where you can meet needs that exist within your community. What can I give besides money? There is a common belief that says you cannot be generous if you don’t have money. However, living generously goes beyond giving financially. Giving through acts of service and volunteer work require time and energy. These two gifts are often more valuable to the recipients than money. Leave a lasting and priceless legacy by using your unique abilities and passions to meet the needs in your community. How does living generously impact your legacy? Giving generously frees you. It loosens the grasp of material possessions and self-involvement. Living generously has a profound impact on your personal character and is a key training ground for younger generations. Making generosity a part of your lifestyle allows you to model and teach biblical values to those around you. A generous lifestyle is an invitation to be a good steward of what God entrusted to you: your time, talents, and treasure. By embracing this mindset, you will leave a lasting impact on your community, family, and eternity.