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The Power of Giving: Why Teaching Generosity to Children Is Crucial in Today’s World

By: Heather Wilson on | Comments: 0
Looking back, I remember one of my earliest, most impactful lessons in generosity happened one Christmas when my parents gave us the opportunity to donate a portion—or even all—of our designated Christmas money to a family we knew in need. 

Each one of my siblings and I could put a card in an envelope with any amount from $0 to $100 written on it. It was completely private. There was no judgment, no guilt, and our choices weren’t shared with our siblings. (There are 12 of us!) Our parents simply wanted to give us the opportunity to experience what it meant to give sacrificially.

I still remember the internal struggle—wanting to be generous but also weighing what I might miss out on if I gave too much. It wasn’t easy as a preteen. But now, almost 40 years later, I can tell you with certainty that I didn’t miss the money I gave. I don’t even remember what I got for Christmas that year. What I do remember is the impact it had on me, shaping a lifelong desire to look for ways to be generous.

Teaching Generosity Doesn’t Happen by Accident

As parents, we often don’t think about—or even know how—to teach our kids to be generous. Sure, we might tell them to share their toys when a friend comes over, and that is even debated these days, but true generosity goes beyond that. Teaching generosity is something we must be intentional about; we cannot just assume our children will develop it as they grow.

The truth is, generosity isn’t inherent to human nature. We aren’t naturally wired to put others first, and we’re already seeing the consequences of failing to teach and model it. Society is filled with entitled, self-focused people who believe they’re owed something. What we are finding, as no surprise, is that when no one thinks about others, communities suffer.

We’re raising children in a world that constantly shouts, Get more! Have more! Be more! Social media and culture glorify self, rather than service. If we’re not intentional, our kids will grow up believing that their worth is tied to what they accumulate rather than what they contribute. We’re already seeing glimpses of this—the rise in loneliness, the breakdown of community, and the me-first mentality are all signs of a world that has forgotten how to give.

The Power to Change the Future

The good news? We have the power to change the trajectory. We can and must raise a generation that sees generosity as normal and important—one that understands the beauty of giving without expecting anything in return. But it takes intentional effort—not just modeling generosity ourselves, which is important for our kids to see, but also creating opportunities for our children to practice it.

And here’s the key: real generosity isn’t just giving when we have extra. It’s giving when it requires sacrifice. That’s what truly changes hearts and changes lives.

If we want to shift culture—to see less depression, loneliness, and entitlement in the next generation—we need to change the focus. Instead of centering life around me, we need to teach our children to ask, How can I make a difference in the world around me? That’s where we see people thrive.

When we move from a poor me mentality to gratitude, from tightly clutching our stuff in fear of losing it, to opening our hands in love, everything changes. God is a generous God, and He created us in His likeness. We are never more like Jesus than when we live a generous, giving life rather than a what’s in it for me life.

The Secret to a Life of Abundance

Raising six generous kids has been one of the greatest joys of my life. But it didn’t happen by accident. Just like anything worth learning, generosity must be taught, modeled, and lived out daily. As one of the founders of GiveSendGo—a platform built on the power of generosity—I’ve seen firsthand how giving changes lives.

People often come to our platform struggling with fundraising, asking for the secret to success. My answer is always the same—the same lesson I taught my own children about life in general. I lean in and whisper—okay, maybe I say it a little louder than a whisper—Live generously. Be a giver.

When you do that, you will flourish. You will be happier, more successful, and you’ll never lack people who will give back when you find yourself in need.

Teaching our children generosity isn’t just important, it’s essential. If we want them to experience a life of true abundance—not just materially, but spiritually and emotionally—generosity can’t just be a nice idea. It has to be a way of life.

We must model it. We must create opportunities for them to live it. Because a world filled with generous people is a world where everyone thrives.
 
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What Is The Giver Army and How Can I Join?

By: Alex Shipley on | Comments: 1

Often times people want to be generous but simply aren’t sure where to start! We’ve made it easy for you and others to make a powerful impact with your desired generosity through GiveSendGo’s Giver Army! Starting at $5, so even those with tighter budgets can give AND from the comforts of their own home. 

The Giver Army is a community of like-minded individuals who engage in micro-philanthropy by pledging to donate generously for a year to of GiveSendGo Charities' supported causes. By contributing as little as $5 per month, members of the Giver Army can significantly impact people’s lives on GiveSendGo who require significant assistance.

The way it works is simple: choose of our ten charitable causes to invest in, determine your monthly donation, and then watch and pray for the quarterly update showcasing the different campaigns your donation has impacted.

On top of giving back, being part of the Giver Army also comes with some great perks! Members will receive a RightNow Media subscription, an end-of-year tax-deductible receipt, an exclusive invitation to our annual Giver Gala, quarterly impact reports showcasing campaigns that received grants associated with our causes, and more! 

So, what are you waiting for? Join the Giver Army and be a part of bringing positive change to the world. With your help, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most! Click the following link to join the Giver Army  https://www.givesendgo.com/site/gsg-army or visit www.GiveSendGo.org to sign up!

 
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Is $5 Even Worth It?

By: BRIEYA WILSON on | Comments: 2
You've probably heard the saying “every penny counts”. Well that’s exactly what crowdfunding is, a bunch of people giving a little that, Lord willing, eventually turns into a lot! 

But, when you give to a campaign on GiveSendGo it's more than just a monetary donation. There’s a deeper impact and meaning to your donation no matter how much you give. 

The odds that a campaign owner will meet everyone they get a donation from is very unlikely. All they know is that a random stranger wants to be a part of their journey and cares enough about their cause to give. Maybe their story rang true for them, or maybe they had great empathy for the person that they were compelled to give something to help. 

Knowing that even random strangers have your back is something so powerful and inspiring for a lot of our campaign owners. On GiveSendGo, you can create a campaign for anything. Unfortunately, the world is broken, so oftentimes many of the campaigns we see are people who feel hopeless in their situation and have turned to crowdfunding as their last resort. So, yes, your $5.00 donation counts. It’s telling the campaign owner they’re not alone in whatever situation they’re going through… not if YOU can help it.

Being a part of the Givers Army doesn’t necessarily mean you have a lot to give. God loves a cheerful giver. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul encourages others to give BUT not beyond their means. Does that mean giving is a sacrifice. Oftentimes, yes, but it doesn’t always have to be. 

Whether you’re making a one time donation to a GiveSendGo campaign, or you want to be a frequent giver on the Givers Army, don’t pledge to give a ridiculously high number that you can’t afford just because you want to be the most generous, or because you feel that a donation of a lesser amount won’t make a difference. Paul says don’t give "reluctantly or under compulsion." That’s our vision for the Givers Army, giving people rising up together to make a difference in the world - one small or large donation at a time. 

The amount you donate doesn't matter, it's the heart behind it. God sees your heart behind donating. 
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Another benefit of giving, no matter what the amount, is the joy you will feel when helping someone in need. That alone is worth it to a lot of our givers! 

And, if you’re someone who wants to make a habit out of making a difference in people's lives then the Givers Army might be the choice for you!
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