Many of us have the desire to make a difference. But when it comes down to it, how many really know what steps to take and how to fit philanthropy into our lives. The Generosity Plan shows readers the unexpected benefits and joys of generosity in our daily lives. This smart, practical guide to philanthropy illuminates the power of giving by helping readers to discover what inspires them, clarify what he or she can afford to give, and direct that generosity toward a better world. Contributing time or money to causes far removed from the immediacy of our individual lives may feel overwhelming, especially in times of financial stress and uncertainty. Author Kathy LeMay breaks through these initial roadblocks to give easy and valuable tools to spur definite and rewarding action, demonstrating how our time, treasure, and talents can make a world of difference. By building and acting on a generosity plan, each one of us can create change simply by doing what we can, where we are, with what we have.

They were able to be a blessing to others because they were intentional with the resources they were tasked to manage. • Explore the why of giving: a firm foundation on which you can build a plan to systematically give. • Intentionally plan where to give, so you don’t miss out on the many opportunities. • Discover how to give a ton without spending much money. Learn the basics of generosity budgeting and specific tactics for regular giving, spontaneous giving, and outrageous giving! Giving does not cost money all the time. You can use your time and talents—giving of yourself into people’s lives. Genuine giving is from the heart to bless the person, reflecting the Giver of all good things. What is significant is that God can use your thoughtful giving to change a person’s life. God made us in His image, and He is the biggest giver of all. So, it makes sense to look towards God’s example first, so we can study His pattern of generosity. Then we can use His wealth, the provisions He has allowed us to manage, the way He has taught us by His Wisdom. These are not only Christian financial concepts and principles; these are financial truths. It’s time for you to RECOVER, GROW, and ZERO IN on the INTERSECTION, Where God’s Wealth Meets God’s Wisdom. The INTERSECTION series includes the titles below: • Biblical Faith Meets Financial Strategy, 2nd ed. – How to Lay a Solid Foundation for Prosperity • God's Ownership Meets Money Management – How to Be a Good and Faithful Steward • Divine Provision Meets Generosity Planning – How to Live Life to the Fullest While Richly Giving …and the following companion for a deeper study: • Setting Your Sights on the Intersection – 90-Day Devotional & Journal About the book series: INTERSECTION – Where God’s Wealth Meets God’s Wisdom Imagine yourself at the shooting range aiming at a target. To ensure your aim is accurate, you look for a calibrated point of reference. There are two engraved lines to give you a single place to focus on when aiming at a target. The two lines cross at this spot and create what is known as crosshairs. Crosshairs are composed of two wires or lines, one parallel and the other perpendicular to the horizon. The area that you are focused on is where the two lines intersect. The objective is to align the crosshairs with the bullseye. Aiming to hit the bullseye requires precision, and using the simple principle of intersecting lines, you can easily pinpoint that target. When peering through the scope of your financial future, the strategy is the same. The two dimensions are God’s Wealth (vertical) and God’s Wisdom (horizontal). Once you have these two crosshairs in focus and zeroed-in, you can aim right at the center of your target and hit it consistently. If you want to pinpoint your financial destiny, you need to zero-in on your target, not someone else’s mark. The simple tool needed for pinpoint accuracy is the crosshairs, and one of the most critical steps is knowing where you are aiming. The blessings come where the two lines meet. Get ready to manage money according to the Word of God and live a prosperous life!

"Your Key to Experiencing a Life of Joy, Success, and Lasting Impact! Bill High’s message isn’t just about being generous; it’s about the very real process of becoming generous. The Generosity Bet reminds us that God is working in our lives and inspires us to continue in His plan for stewardship."—Robert Morris, Founding Senior Pastor, Gateway Church God has given you the ability to make a difference in the world. It’s time for you to unwrap this gift and discover the secret that leads you to true fulfillment and significance. This book is not a call for you to give away your money… or your time, your resources, and your talents. It is a reminder that everything you have comes from God. You are not the owner; you are Heaven’s steward. When you live this way, you will start experiencing ultimate satisfaction in every area of your life. Giving is no longer a chore to be endured; it becomes a lifestyle to be cherished! As you read about the entrepreneurs, risk-takers, and everyday dreamers featured in this book, you will discover that their stories can easily become your story too. Are you ready to take The Generosity Bet? Start the journey of becoming generous today. The payoff is extraordinary… and it will change your life forever.

The general practices related to church funding aren’t producing the same results they have in the past. There is a general acceptance that something has changed but little talk or interest is coming from traditional church leader training sources such as denominational entities and seminaries. Pastors are largely left to their own devices to “figure this out.” They need a lifeline. While some churches are experiencing exponential growth, some churches - despite their best efforts - have been unsuccessful at moving beyond survival mode. Coupled with increased competition from other nonprofits and a decline in the commitment to give to the church first, churches risk losing the funding they need. A growing number of leaders are beginning to discover there is another way and are struggling to understand what makes one church generous and another not. There is a need in the market to offer a simple, working definition of “generosity” and reveal the “secrets” some church leaders seem to have simply stumbled upon which are resulting in unexplainable ministry growth and unprecedented church funding even in the midst of tough economic times. The content of this material was developed and refined by Jim Sheppard and Chris Willard through years of ministry leadership in the local church, consulting with church leaders across a broad spectrum of church settings, and through participation in and leadership of the Generous Church Leadership Community facilitated by Leadership Network. Of particular benefit will be the collection of observations and best practices gleaned during the Generous Church Leadership Community that originated within real-life church leadership situations and scenarios by highlighting specific challenges, methods, and successes.

The power of giving is a force that has the ability to transform not only the lives of others but also our own. It is an act of selflessness that has the potential to create positive change in the world. When we give, whether it be our time, resources, or talents, we open up a pathway for connection, empathy, and growth. One of the most remarkable aspects of the power of giving is its ability to transcend boundaries and divisions. It has the capacity to bridge the gap between different cultures, backgrounds, and belief systems. When we give, we acknowledge the interconnectedness of humanity and embrace our common humanity.

The Holy Spirit will not just tell you who to help, but how to do it. After reading this book, I will have the knowledge and understanding about the power of generosity from a biblical standpoint. No longer will I give in small doses out of fear or religiosity, but I will have full confidence that my God will take what I give and do exceedingly and abundantly more than I ever could have asked for or imagined with it. Unlock the secrets of biblical giving as Pastor Greg Locke explores the spiritual principles behind generosity and the incredible blessings that follow when God finds someone He can trust. Filled with real-life anecdotes, biblical wisdom, and practical insights, this book is a road map to accessing the abundance that flows from a generous spirit. It not only emphasizes the importance of blessing the poor but also shows how giving can be a weapon in spiritual warfare and help believers experience supernatural breakthrough. Exploring tithing, the principles of stewardship, and the law of sowing and reaping, The Generosity Journey reveals the keys to experiencing supernatural release and what it takes for Christians to be entrusted with more. According to Locke, nothing will change a believer’s life more than biblical giving. Generosity is the remedy for materialism and the ultimate game-changer for walking in the abundance and favor of God. In this book, readers will discover the joy of giving, the power of faith, and the extraordinary rewards that come when they align themselves with God's generous plan. The journey to a more fulfilling and blessed life starts here!

This is the first volume of a new annual series that will present policy-relevant economic research on health care and health policy issues. The emphasis will be on less technical papers written primarily for a policy audience. Each volume will contain approximately five papers from an annual conference to be held in spring in Washington, D.C. Topics to be covered include the implications of health care policy provisions, health care organization and management, health outcomes, health care output and productivity, health-related behavior, health and aging, and health and children. ContributorsLaurence Baker, Ernst Berndt, David Cutler, Alan M. Garber, Thomas Macurdy, Mark McClellan, Louise Sheiner, Richard Zeckhauser

While retiree health plans are a dying benefit in the private sector, all US states and many local governments extend health insurance coverage to their retired employees. This book is the first to thoroughly examine public sector health insurance plans. Retiree Health Plans in the Public Sector provides a detailed description of the current plans offered and compares how they vary across states. Health insurance is an important component of compensation in the public sector as it helps governments attract and retain quality workers and encourages timely retirement for career employees. Rapidly rising medical costs, an aging labor force, and an increasing number of retirees have dramatically increased the cost of providing this benefit. A central theme of this analysis is a presentation of the actuarial accrued liabilities, the unfunded liabilities and the annual required contribution of the employers based on the actuarial statements for retiree health plans. The authors alsoinvestigate why some states face major funding problems while the costs of other states? plans are much more manageable. Extensively researched and well-suited for classroom and professional use alike, academics in the fields of economics and public policy will find this an unmatched resource. So too will policymakers, economists, legislators, public sector union leaders and those invested in public sector healthcare.

From the Pension Research Council of the Wharton School