My wife Becky and I met in December 1998.  We are so in tune with each other that we immediately discussed how to help society by using our personal “tithing” money.  Although we occasionally give to churches in need, we enjoy coming up with new and exciting ways to give money away, which will be used immediately and properly.

There are many ways to give away money, one is to trust someone else who has proven that they will properly distribute the funds entrusted to them.  Bill Gates is trusted by Warren Buffett to use his donation of tens of billions of dollars properly – Bill has done his research.

Others such as Timothy Ferriss (Author of the Four Hour Work Week) has also done his research and donates with his charitable contributions.

Overcoming challenges

I challenge my readers to think more on immediate and local impact.  The majority of Advent Wealth Improvement Network’s corporate donations along with me and Becky’s personal donations go to the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse right here in the U.S.A.  Drug and alcohol abuse is the most prevalent destructive forces that cause so much distress in society today.  It affects each one of us on a daily basis and has been the downfall of so many.  Most all crimes, breakup of families, and all types of personal mistreatment, violence, neglect, exploitation and cruelty are directly caused by alcohol and drug abuse.  Help us help others by donating your time, efforts, and money to fight this difficult enemy.

Our future plans include setting up and operating “sober houses” nationwide.  In the past during one of my retirements, I set up such an organization and operated four such homes for people who wanted for one reason or another, to live in a sober environment.  There were a mix of people, some who simply wanted a place to live peacefully, others who were in alcohol or drug recovery who also chose to live peacefully, and others coming directly out of prison who needed sober housing to continue with their sobriety.  To this day, one of my greatest joys is when someone will approach me in some public place and tell me that they are sober, and have stayed sober since being in one of my “Scholar House Communites”.  The miraculous achievements that they have made in their lives, the lives of others, and society as a whole, prove to me that these programs are necessary in today’s society.

Becky and I have set up separate charitable accounts so that our personal “donations” of money are anonymous.  We come up with great ideas, and then investigate them intensely as to how the money will be used. We also squeeze out some personal time for charitable work also.  For example: We don’t hand over cash to the homeless, we’ll give them a sandwich.  When we are out of town and see well behaved kids in a restaurant while other kids are wildly running around, we reward them and their parents with a free dinner (anonymously through the waitresses).  I encourage you to be creative in your giving also.

As Christians we do not believe that you must give (tithe) ten percent (as in the old Mosaic law), however we follow New Testament Bible teachings to give from your heart.

2 Corinthians 9:7 states “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Please note that if you follow this biblical quote you don’t even have to give the ten percent, but will you then be a cheerful giver?  We interpret this as giving a minimum of ten percent although we are not forced to give.  How about setting a goal in your future to be able to “reverse tithe” – give 90% and live off only 10%?  You can find more about this “reverse tithing principle”  by looking up author and pastor Rick Warren.

Start now with whatever amount that you make.  Ten percent – right off the top.  As a corporation or business entity, I suggest tithing of net profits (after expenses) and as an individual person I suggest tithing of total gross income (before deductions).  Remember, I suggest using the 10% value as a minimum.  Once you begin, you will experience sensations you never thought of.

If you are not sure if you can afford to tithe, let me assure you that simply by the fact that you are able to be reading this, you are rich enough to start giving – today.  The freedom of giving, especially anonymously is invigorating!  Join in and enjoy!