Recently after my new perspective post, I was pondering how to focus more on giving here on Keeping the Kingdom First. After all, those who put God’s Kingdom first in their lives should naturally be seeking ways to bless others as much as possible, right?
So this past Sunday, while listening to my pastor conclude a series on Matthew 16, he mentioned generosity as one of 6 key factors of being a Christian. My ears perked up and I immediately thought of my blog.
He went on to suggest a 30-day challenge:
Spend 30 days with a journal in your hand. Try it for the next 30 days and see if I’m not lying. Take a journal and just jot down everything you give. Every time you find yourself being generous, write it down. Every time you feel prompted by God to give something you never would, or why would I buy THAT many cookies… from the Girl Scouts. I don’t know why, God just gave you the prompting to do something special for somebody! Write it down.
And then write down on the other side every time something comes back to you. Every time the cycle gets completed. Do it for 30 days, and you’ll never be the same again. You’ll never look at giving the same way again.
Jesus invites you in on the “Kingdom Dynamic”. You don’t have to be afraid to give in the Kingdom! I would imagine the anxiety about money- trying to keep it- is a real anxiety. You’ll start to be just utterly amazed at the freedom that comes to you from money… when you start being generous.
My wheels started turning. 30 days… a challenge to give…with documentation.
Next month is November, which just so happens to have 30 days and also includes Thanksgiving. A light bulb went off in my mind. The 30-Day Giving Challenge was born, right there in church.
I am challenging myself, and whoever wants to jump on board, to grab a journal next month and GIVE in some fashion every day in November. This could be large or small, simple or extravagant.
If you have a blog, I welcome you to accept the challenge or simply help spread the word!
Here is how it will work:
- On Sunday, November 1st, I will post a Mr. Linky and invite all participants to RSVP.
- Post about the challenge on your blog, with a few ideas about how you plan to give each day.
- Update weekly with your results, as little or as much as you feel led to share.
- On November 30th, I will post a final update with a linky so we can all see the impact of one month of giving.
Are there prizes?
Nope. If my pastor is correct, the blessings that come back to you each day during this challenge will be better than any bloggy swag.
I would however, like to invite companies with family-friendly products to participate, but not for prizes. If you are a PR rep or own a business, and you would like to get involved, please email 30daygivingchallenge@gmail (dot) com for more details. All products received will be distributed to local charities and documented as part of the challenge.
So, whaddya say? Do you accept the challenge? I can’t wait to see what God has in store!
I love this challenge! I do want to participate and blog about it as well! I have lots of fashion advice I can give as well as beauty secrets for saving time and being a new mom!
.-= Gema @ fashion cents for mom´s last blog ..Fall Trend Guide…More Coming Soon! =-.
Sounds like a great idea to me!
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This is a great idea for a challenge. Love it. 🙂
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Shadows and Sunshine =-.
I love this idea! I’m going to post it on my Twitter account everyday beginning Today and on my blog,. Thanks!
I would definitely love to participate. We all need a bigger Kingdom perspective. I know giving as well as receiving is so important to the constant flow that God wants to do in each of us.
.-= Carole ´s last blog ..Coupons for Troops =-.
What a great thing to do! It is so true when you give God takes notice! The other day I was prompted to do something God laid on my heart. It was a sacrifice for me to do it, but I did it anyway and God showed up moments later with a phone call that could change my life. God is so good!
.-= Ann´s last blog ..FREE Chex Mix at Target =-.
This is a fantastic idea! I’ve already written a blog about it but want your take on it before I post it Alyssa. Should I email a copy to the email address listed here in your post?
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following
Love it! I did some “focused giving” during Lent this past year and it was such an amazing experience. I look forward to participating in this!
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I will participate and I will blog about it as well. So many ideas…is 30 days enough?!?!
.-= Hope´s last blog ..Let’s Go Krogering! =-.
God has really been laying on my heart lately that I need to find a way to give! I have wondered what it is that he wants me to do…I really feel like God is speaking through your blog to me, and I accept the challenge already! I know for a fact from experience how wonderful giving is spiritually and emotionally, but also that you do receive many blessings…(Freak accident that got us $800 extra on insurance check…the month when we were $750 short on bills because my husband was off work for surgery! ~ Money and meals and items that come just as they are needed)
I could go on and on about his blessings…
Thank you so much for this! This is such an inspiration and a blessing for my life!
Julie
What a great idea, Alyssa! I look forward to participating!
.-= Phoebe @ Cents to Get Debt Free´s last blog ..The Beginning: It’s All Out =-.
I would love to participate in this. We have already starte our giving. We are sponsoring a family for Christmas. I have not recorded our giving but I have definately felt Gods giving to my family.
Count me in! this sounds great!
Great idea!!
Does it have to monetary/concrete things giving or can it be something else? Either way, this is a geat idea!
Susannah- No, it does not have to be something tangible. I believe we can give our time, energy and talents to bless others as well!
I love this idea! I too have been feeling like God wants to free my mind of uncertainty and “learn” to trust in all He provides…the best way to do this? By learning to truly GIVE!
Count me in for this 30 days of giving! I wish I had a blog now. This really sounds lovely to be apart of!!! If anyone has any tips on how to start one quickly, I would be happy to listen 🙂
Jen, the fastest way to start a blog is on blogger.com- it’s free and user friendly! Thanks for jumping on board!
I love this challenge…….I am so going to do this 🙂
.-= Tasha Harris´s last blog ..Knitting madly 🙂 =-.
What a great idea, especially when coupons allow us to receive so many free and ridiculously cheap things! I’ve thought about keeping a journal similar to this to record how God has and continues to bless us and this is a great way to do that!
Thanks for offering this challenge and I intend to participate! I’m also going to share it on my blog and at my bible study group!
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This challenge is encouraging to me. We have been greatly affected by the economy. But, you know what?? God is still on his throne!! Our family will be glad to participate in this blessing. We’ve taught our family, you can’t outgive God!!!
Thank you for sharing. Our pastor spoke a few moments last sunday on giving also. It was more on our hearts and not giving the Lord back what is His.
I will share this with my husband and see if we all can committ as a family to participate.
Thank you!
I think it is a wonderful idea. Here is something else to think about as we head towards the end of 2009: Personal story first – Last year at tax time we owed the IRS much more than we had in the past, primarily due to a reduction in dependant deductions. The bright spot was that we would have owed them thousands more if we had not given generously to our church and other charitable organizations. We felt thankful and blessed that we had given so much. When we give to our church and the many worthy charities out there we know that the money is going to be used for good. On the other hand, so much of what we “give” in taxes is wasted or being given to corrupt organizations like Acorn & Planned Parenthood. Frankly, I would rather choose to bless who gets some of my money than to allow politicians to dole it out to gain political power. This year we expect that we may owe again, so we are stepping up our giving now, even though it makes our budget even tighter.
I was with you until you called Planned Parenthood corrupt… It’s not a political organization and it does tremendous good, providing information and support for women and families who don’t have many options. Those of us with health care and supportive families must appreciate what this means.
Taxes are the price we pay to live in a democracy.
It’s not a perfect system, since it’s full of humans and our imperfect ways. (The same is true of many non-profits/charitable orgs, btw.) And you should do what want with your money. But the return on our taxes includes freedom to vote and worship as we please, and legal and military defense of those rights. Priceless.
I just ran across your blog. Being laid off last month has left me floundering, like a fish out of water. I was already frugal, but this is putting the capital F in frugal now. However, I know I need to get my focus off of me, and how Jesus is going to be faithful to ME. I need to be faithful to Him. I accept the challenge, so I will be disciplined to see his faithfulness in everyday little things, as I am also faithful to Him with my time.
.-= Mindy Sames´s last blog ..HARD AT WORK =-.
Count me in as well. I am posting this to my blog. I started a little early. Yesterday, I decided to become a member of our local public radio station. I enjoy the classical music it provides. I am looking into other organizations and individual things that I can do next month.
Anne, that is a great start! I love public radio, it’s a service that many take for granted.
Count me in!! Looking forward to it:)
wow i am so moved by this! i looove the idea and i am going to participate! i am so glad you are keeping your eyes on the kingdom. it isnt everyday you run across a blog which talks about giving instead of what can we get- get -get -get.
i am excited but i am having trouble thinking of ideas, i have a few but does anyone have any ideas that i can use?? i think it will get easier as the month goes along.
i am sad to say that i dont usually give to others, i tithe and give to charities, but i am having a reality check and i know this will change my way of thinking ! 🙂
Good idea!
.-= MommaDJane´s last blog ..Boy Potty Training 101 =-.
This is a great idea!! I am in!!
I’m joining in as well. Life is keeping me extremely busy right now, but I feel like this is something I need to participate in – for me. I’m going to set up a page on my blog for the challenge.
.-= debbie lynne´s last blog ..Savings Saturday! =-.
Awesome idea! I’m in!
I LOVE this idea!! There is no better gift than the ability to give!! This is the one thing that God says in His Word to test Him in!!! We can never outgive our Father!!!! I can’t wait to hear how lives are touched! 🙂 Thanks for the challenge!!
I’m totally in!
I am jumping in with both feet. I love this idea and think this will be a great family event.
I LOVE this!! …what a great time of year for this. It reminds me so much of one of my favorites from the bible:
Mark 12:41-44
The Widow’s Offering
41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,worth only a fraction of a penny.
43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
I found out about your challenge on couponing101 – and I am so thankful that she posted about this. I will be sharing it with my readers for sure.
PLUS…as luck would have it … I JUST purchased a journal tonight at Staples ( I just posted about it, lol!) …they had an entire cart at my staples full of journals, notebooks and composition books for 50 cents each!!! Now…how in the world did I know that I would be needing one…God is good!!
Thanks Alyssa and blessings!!
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I can’t remember if I RSVP’d or not (blush)
You know I’m in, right???
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Happy Birthday to my Wonderful Hubby! =-.
Awesome idea! Count me in! 🙂
.-= Bridgette´s last blog ..My New Baby =-.
This is wonderful–I receive many products from couponing and I try to find ways to give them to people in need. I also know
that God wants all of us–our time, talents, and treasures. Interesting about the verse Gal. 6:9–was one I had memorized just
a couple of weeks ago. Don’t have a blog but count me in.
I am really
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Keebler coupons have re-set! =-.
What a great idea. I’m going to have to try this.
I think this is AWESOME and I am sooo going to do this challenge! I am going to add my own twist to it though – November has been proclaimed Month of the Military Family by President Obama – and since I am an Army Wife and have my own little military family – I am going to focus my giving primarily upon military families and soldiers within the military community. I am going to post this on my blog and my other social networking sites.
I think your “twist” is absolutely perfect! That is what I was hoping my readers would do… take the Challenge and make it their own. God Bless your family- I am so thankful for those who serve our country!
I totally forgot to RSVP, but I’m in and my family is too! Last night I saw a tired looking mom unloading groceries at her car and I offered to put her cart back for her. She looked really grateful. As we walked into the store, my daughter said “Hey Mom, you just did that giving thing…It wasn’t big, but it made that woman smile!” It’s amazing how the little things can make such a big difference!
Lisa, that is so sweet! I love that your daughter noticed. Sometimes it’s the little things that can just make someone’s day!
I just found this post. This is such a wonderful idea! Christianity in action.
I read your idea and was really inspired. I don’t plan to write about my journey on my blog but I wanted to share a story with you.
We attend a very small church that is awesome but cash strapped. Anyway, our pastor wants to study and provide the book “The Prodigal God” to visitors at our Christmas service because he know a lot of people attend during the holidays and he wants to share this message with them.
He needed $600.00 to purchase the books and has received $540.00 to date. Yesterday, I decided I would help him complete his goal by offering the remaining $60.00 Trust me, we are struggling like everyone so this was not an easy decision.
Today, I opened a letter from a credit union we use to reduce our car insurance premium. We literally have a ten dollars in this account just to take advantage of the insurance discount. To make a long story short, they are giving us and all their customers a $50.00 divedend. Isn’t that an awesome example of the power of giving!!