Why We Give

WIIFM – There’s got to be more

According to an article in Christianity Today by Bruce Wydick, most of us are motivated to give out of a sense of reciprocity. We give because we hope to get something back.  The article points out, “reciprocity is embedded in the cultures of much of the poor world today. James Scott at Yale and other anthropologists have demonstrated how the poor in developing countries use reciprocal acts of generosity as survival mechanisms, providing, for example, informal insurance. A family bringing food to another who is temporarily unable to work due to illness is not only regarded as kind; the act represents an investment in a reciprocal claim when the situation may be reversed.”

Jesus wants us to give to serve the greater good without the expectation that we will get something back. Our reward comes much later.  Then Jesus said to his host [a prominent Pharisee], "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Luke 14:12-14, NIV). 

Thoughtful Giving – Generous Souls

The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) of Great Britain recently asked 700 of their regular donors their motivations for their generosity. They asked why they gave and what could grow giving in the UK. Personal values, sense of morality, belief in a specific cause, and faith all scored above 70% as a motivator. Growing the ranks of givers depends on effectively communicating outcomes.  More than eight out of 10 (81%) said that more hard evidence on the impact of charities’ work would be likely to increase giving significantly. This underlines an appetite for a yet greater level of communication between donor and cause, and more transparency in the ways charities work.

The second most common response was that companies need to do more to support charities, with 78% agreeing with this statement. Tax also plays a key role. Three quarters (77%) of those they surveyed thought it was likely that if donors had a better understanding of existing tax incentives it would increase giving significantly, and a similar proportion (76%) said that they would welcome more generous tax breaks.

Faith plays a significant role (Response to the GAF Poll)

“My faith informs my giving and when I give regularly to the church it is nice to know that I am contributing towards a church project or towards paying the salary of one of its workers. I think as a society to some extent we don’t value giving enough, but it is encouraging being in a church where you can clearly see the generosity of other congregation members.”     AJ Finch  - Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) “Why We Give”

“Our giving is based on the belief that everything we have belongs to God and that we should give back both to the church and those in need.”     Amy Bright - Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) “Why We Give”

“I have always known that we are very privileged compared with many other people and, as a Christian, I think that all gifts come from God and to God we return them. They are not ours, they are given to us by God – whether it’s the brains, opportunities or health to earn the money, or the inherited wealth. I would encourage anyone who doesn’t give to think about those who are less fortunate than themselves.”     Charm Robson - Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) “Why We Give”

“Stories help. The stories of the improvements that are made on the international front through quite small changes, the story of a guy I was mentoring last year who now has a job, stories from Jamaica, where we’re funding two development projects. Telling people stories I think helps. When you’re dealing with international development you can create a very, very great impact with a very little input.”      Keith Stephenson - Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) “Why We Give”

Top Motivators    

They give because of their personal values and beliefs, lifestyle, morality, ethics, belief in a specific cause, faith and personal experience. Much further down the list are determination to leave a positive legacy, and relationships forged through giving. Family and enjoyment from giving had a middling response.