How to Make the Most of Giving Tuesday (or any day)

Good for you—you want to do good and make a difference in the world.

So do I.

We should all be grateful for what God has given us, knowing that what He has entrusted to us is not meant to impact only our lives, but the lives of others as well.

Here is a universal truth: It’s not about us.

God has always blessed people so that they, in turn, would bless others.

Below are some practical suggestions I hope you will find helpful—not only on Giving Tuesday, but throughout the year.

1. Pray for Wisdom

Ask God which causes He wants you to support. What appears to be a good investment may sometimes be a wasteful or even fraudulent organization. Seek His direction before giving.

2. Set Your Priorities

Most of us cannot give to every good cause we hear about, so we must prayerfully consider where the greatest needs truly are.

You may wish to ask yourself:

“Where will my gifts do the most good?”

Feeding the hungry and clothing the needy are among the most vital ministries we can support. If you’re tempted to think otherwise, you have probably never experienced desperate hunger or extreme need.

Another essential priority is helping people find forgiveness through Christ. God offers eternal life and a full, meaningful life here and now. Imagine how different our world would be if people turned from sin and surrendered their lives to follow Christ. The impact of God transforming even one life is incalculable.

There are many worthy causes, but none more important than providing help to the needy while guiding people to discover true life in Christ.

3. Be Informed Before You Give

Before you support any organization or individual, consider asking:

• What is their mission and purpose?

• Do they practice what they preach?

• How are donations used?

• What percentage actually goes toward meeting needs?

• Are they accountable to anyone?

While salaries, administrative costs, and advertising are necessary realities, it can be surprising to learn how little sometimes reaches the people intended to benefit.

I say this from experience.

If you know me, you know I love God and people—and animals too, especially German Shepherds. Years ago, I dropped medication and feared my dog might have swallowed it. I called a well-known organization that claimed to protect pets.

The representative asked if I was a member and said they could not help me unless I was. I replied, “So you’re willing to let my dog die if I haven’t donated to your organization?”

Sadly, this was a real experience—and later I discovered that someone else had experienced the same thing.

My point is this: it’s important to learn which organizations truly live up to their advertising and responsibly steward donations.

4. Consider Your Options

With so many needs and organizations, where should you begin?

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

• St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital makes an incredible impact for children in need of medical treatment.

• Sumter United Ministries performs essential work locally. I know their founder personally and can testify to their integrity and effectiveness.

• Samaritan’s Purse has a reputation beyond reproach and meets urgent needs across the U.S. and globally.

If you are looking for the greatest direct impact, Send Relief stands out. For years, they have guaranteed:

“100% of your gift goes to the field.”

They explain:

“When you give to Send Relief, 100% of your gift is used for compassion ministry in North America and around the world. Nothing is taken out for administrative costs. We regularly share stories and updates so you know exactly where your money is going and how it’s being used.”

5. Don’t Forget Your Local Church

A healthy New Testament church does tremendous good for the glory of God and the benefit of the world. If you would like guidance on identifying the character and convictions of a healthy church, feel free to contact me.

Because they hold firmly to God’s Word, healthy churches challenge believers to love God, love people, and help others become followers of Christ. Everything they do flows from these biblical commands.

Healthy churches serve both their neighborhoods and the most remote corners of the world.

Any Other Suggestions?

Yes—thank you for asking.

We would also be grateful for your prayers and support of Life Worth Living Ministries. Our website offers detailed information about our mission and how we serve others.

You may give to Life Worth Living Ministries here via PayPal.

If you have questions about following Christ or supporting your local church, please feel free to reach out to me by email: mark@lifeworthliving.today

Life Worth Living is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible.