I met Al Andrews at Porter’s Call, a ministry where he counsels Christian musicians… for free. Not exactly a plan for wealth and prosperity. Recently he has had a dream of being a philanthropist. For those who don’t know, a philanthropist is someone with a lot of money who gives money to good causes and to people in need. The problem he encountered is that a prerequisite to being a philanthropist is being rich. And he’s not. So he came up with a simple plan. 1) Do something that makes a lot of money. 2) Give that money away.
Simple, right? Of course, as you well know, it’s not that easy. But he still moved forward. Now he has just released his first children’s book, The Boy, The Kite, and the Wind. And he has already chosen some non-profits to give this money too.
I think it’s an amazing idea. So many of us would like to do something awesome but don’t see how it could be possible. Well, Al has given us a crazy idea. You can read more about it at improbablephilanthropy.com .
I hope you will order one of his books. If you don’t have a child around to read to, you can give it away, get one for your library, or maybe find a child to invest in. And even more importantly I hope this will spark a discussion, maybe below in the comment section, maybe on Al’s site, maybe in your homes and families, about what crazy things God may be calling you to do. I look forward to hearing about them.
You can order The Boy, The Kite, & The Wind here. http://improbablephilanthropy.com/store/the-boy-the-kite-and-the-wind/
Thoughts?
Todd
I agree…this is a wonderful idea…yet, I not sure it is a new idea. I know folks that do things to raise funds just for the purpose of giving the money away in ministry to others. I do believe we are in a time when God wants to use us in new ways to care for people and thus, open the doors to sharing Jesus.
Love your music, Todd…been a fan a long time…May God continue to bless your talent!
What an amazing back story of this book, especially of the illustrator’s generosity! (story is found at http://improbablephilanthropy.com) I believe philanthropy begins in the heart, not in the bank account. I’ve observed that missionaries who have the least amount of money to give actually give more for charitable causes than most other people. We all can do more than we think possible. I live on the edge of the U.S. poverty level, but have found that if I have popcorn for dinner a few times per month instead of a regular meal, the money I save on groceries is available to help others. Granted, it’s not that much of an impact compared to someone else with more, but it can provide a book or a meal to someone who needs help. When the motivation is to bless others because God has blessed you, each of us can do something. The more we respond to needs around us, the more our hearts are opened up to love–to receive it and to give generously.
hi todd
i’ve loved your music for years… thanks for making it!
a couple years ago, God told me to use bottled water to give people clean water… and so FreeWater was born..
everyone deserves clean water, and this was born just for that…. not my personal gain…
every bottle sold gives life!
A great encouragement. Thanks Todd for sharing this story with us. I agree that we need to take some risks and make a difference. Many of us have believed that we need to be rich first in order to give a lot. I have seen that the truth is that those who desire to give and make a difference in a significant way, will find creative ideas to fit their circumstance. Often I have found people who have a lot more money than I do that go to all the big fund raisers and are “courted” for their donations but they really only give a small portion of their income. I know others who give a large portion because they understand the need and not because they were pursued at a large party.
I have a friend that makes jewelry and does other artistic things. she started something called “Creactive Christians”. Her desire is to get Christians involved in using their artistic abilities to make a difference. Part of her vision is related to using art to present the gospel. Part of her vision is about promoting Christian art. But she is always looking for ways to use art to raise funds to care for the needy. Earlier this year she sold her items at an event and donated the profits to support Compassion children.
I have some friends who run the local Soup Kitchen here in fort McMurray and they do a few fund raising initiatives through the year for their ministry. Recently they have done some fundraising to help us build a security wall around a children’s home in honduras, where we had received reports of evil people breaking in and attempting to steal the children. The trafficking of children is a horrific crime and breaks my heart. When our local soup kitchen team heard about it, they decided to put on a meal for a local leadership event and the ticket sales went 100% toward this protective wall project that we call “Nehemiah Project for Honduras”
Such great examples of giving and setting an example to make a difference.
Our Lord bless you, Todd! as well aa Al, the budding philanthropist you speak of here! 🙂
I often find it funny how God leads us to things to give us a boost. He “speaks” to us essentially, through some of the most unexpected avenues! Facebook, of all things! I found your comment and link to this blog post there and am still giggling at the point our Father reinforced through your words. “…what crazy things God may be calling you to do.” Awesome timing, too, for it’s been a long, discouraging day.
Many years ago, in the midst of my work, ministry and advocacy, God gave me a vision. Simply stated, it involves bringing back “social work” to His Church. All too quickly I found how “simple” this is not, but I did not give up. Over the past few months this vision has come together to form a new business–rather similar in concept to Al’s dream. Our first project will be essentially buying empty, foreclosed homes and eventually giving them to displaced families. However, much like Al, I also have no funds to provide for the startup of this endeavor. I understand, though, that since none of this is “all about me”, it makes sense that the money comes from those moved by God to give toward it–without expectation of personal gain or return (if even in a mere tax deduction). I have found, though, that it is nearly impossible to encourage others to give, just for the sake of others. They do not seem to understand that the blessing (aka, “return”) in that comes directly from our Lord! Much like in Malachi 3, where God challenged His people, even saying, “Now try Me in this!” And promised an outpouring too great to contain. Too many don’t seem to get that investing in people and caring for properties (what God has provided) will always benefit each of us–individually and the overall community… which includes businesses, churches, et al, across the entire Nation. How can this not help to combat our present “financial crisis”??
Anyway… I continue to pray “they get it”, and/or give me the words to more clearly help them to get it! 🙂
Everyone who has reviewed the proposal tells me, emphatically, that it is “a wonderful idea.” However, everyone appears to be waiting for everyone else to pitch in first! Ha! God bless ’em! As I have pursued this vision with all our Lord has in me, everything in my life is crumbling. Alongside that, however, God keeps bringing assurances from literally all avenues, to pick me up and keep me pressing forward in faith! (ie: Hebrews 11) Since I know (by experience) our Lord is ever-faithful, there is no reason to believe that this vision will not birth, as long as I pursue it in Christ.
I hope this helps encourage our new friend, Al! Sometimes just knowing a brother or sister is experiencing similar things–and to hear of their faith in the midst of it all–can be that one little boost to keep us refreshed 🙂
Please check out the link (acts3.yolasite.com) and you’ll get what I’m saying about “crazy ideas.”
ABSOLUTELY LOVE your music, btw!!! oxo
I haven’t read his book, but I like his concept. I believe God does give some the gift of giving. My husband and I are not rich, but we always feel called to give financially in various situations. I think that if God has instilled in you this gift of giving, He’s going to provide the means, the desire and the funds in whatever creative way He wants. What’s our responsibility in this whole thing? To be open and respond to His leading…
Todd,
Thank you so much for tweeting. I receive your tweets as text messages on my cell phone. I was looking forwarding to being able to read the blog, because the title was so intriguing. I currently make about half of what I was accustomed to. Despite the decrease in income I still donate whenever I can, and sometimes even when I think I cannot.
The blessing of going through the financial strain in my own life is that my desire to give never waned, so I have to think of new ways to give back. The most obvious way for those without excess funds is via donating their time. I have been blessed enough to serve the homeless and poor, and really take the time to get to know them. I volunteer at school at get spend time with the kids.
I love the concept of the improbable philanthropist; it brings a whole new perspective to giving.
You are a very gifted musician. Thank you for allowing God to use you a vessel to share his message and love. Your CD’s are one of the few Christian CD’s my teenage son will listen to; he not only listens, but enjoys the music.
Blessings!