Charitable Contributions
By Dave Gemmell
A survey of Adventist Pastors revealed eight different factors that may allow pastors to retire as millionaires. In this Best Practices series, I’m sharing each of these eight factors in bite size pieces. Coming in at number four in correlation strength is ‘Those whose net worth is anticipated to be over one million give a higher percentage of their income to charity than those whose net worth is anticipated to be less than a million’ (see bar graph).
I’m delighted to find that most pastors surveyed were generous as they gave to charity. On the chart we plot how many out of 320 surveyed contribute to charity at each percentage level. The range is from a few who give none, to one who gives 81% of his/her income to charity. We see a lot in the 16-22% range.
But is there a correlation in contributions and net worth? It seems so. The <$1M give an average of 16% and those with greater than $1M give an average of 18%. While this is not a huge difference it is something to consider.
Simple arithmetic calculations show that when you give money away it takes away from your net worth. This survey suggests that when you give money away to charity your net worth may grow larger. How do you explain the discrepancy? The arithmetic only works when you include a faith variable in the equation. Giving more to charity may actually increase net worth in the long run.
As a big fan of biblical stewardship, I can’t help but remember the faith factor described by the ancient prophet Malachi: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:8 NIV. I have certainly found that to be true in my life.
Author’s note: These articles are condensed from the full report of the study that was presented at the 2022 CALLED Pastors’ Family Convention and can be downloaded here: If you would like to dialogue with the author you can email him at davegemmell@gmail.com.
Dave Gemmell recently retired from NAD Ministerial and is enjoying spending more time with his family, especially his three grandsons.
