Peanut Butter

On Saturday morning recently, we were discussing philanthropy.  Is it better to go deep in one direction to make a more significant impact?  Or is it better to spread giving around a diversified portfolio (of sorts)?

Curt B referred to the latter approach as "like spreading peanut butter."

Several of the families represented around that Saturday morning table would qualify as being in the 1% -- the top 1% of wage earners in the US.  As far as I know, there's no "deep wealth" there, but annual earnings turn out pretty well.   There's a lot to be thankful for there.  But it's hard to envision "going deep" in one area for maximum impact -- there's no Gates Foundation-like money around the table, as far as I know. 

Several other families represented around that Saturday morning table are not so situated.  At all.  And some of them work in ministries that need peanut butter spreading to achieve basic ministry needs.

So while I sometimes wonder what I should do -- drill deep or spread a little here and there -- I'm guided by a few principles that I've picked up from several different mentors and meditations; and I'm writing them here so I can come back and remember them sometimes:

1.  There are only 3 things to do with money:  spend it, save it, give it.
2.  Try to achieve a good balance among those 3 options.
3.  I often need to challenge myself on the giving front:  spreading peanut butter is easier than articulating and tackling a more substantial giving commitment.  So I need to push myself to consider larger commitments.
4.  Maximum impact is not within my control.  That's God's role.
5.  God is already at work in this world -- near and far.  Into the life he's given me, he brings other people.  Real people, close to me, engaged in service for others.  When those people are joining in the effort where God is already at work . . . and when they articulate needs associated with that work . . . it seems natural (somehow) for me to think that God's pairing of us occurred for a reason.
6.  And, in those situations, I sometimes and somehow feel called to spread peanut butter.

Everything is His anyway.  And every good gift I've ever received has been a gift from the Father Above.  To you, Dad, thanks for the opportunity to join you in your work here on the earth.  However small or large.