Thanks for sharing this story. It’s good to have these sorts of perspectives on the forum, in my opinion.
On the subject of public versus private giving, I wonder if we should experiment with some different models. For example, besides fully public or fully anonymous giving, I could imagine:
Giving through a community foundation (or church, employer, etc) where the credit goes to the community rather than to the individual
Psudonymous giving, “this gift from Scott Alexander”
Unverifiable acknowledgement: The recipient acknowledges a gift but keeps the donor secret. The donor could claim credit but so could others.
Back in July, I had the pleasure of meeting a passionate, upright, and caring role model of mine, Dr. Jim Burns, at a week-long family Christian summer conference (CBCC).
I asked him about his journey as a nonprofit entrepreneur, and one of the insights I journaled after our conversation was the importance of regularly asking Jesus to check our motives, motivations, and ego.
Since then, I have saved this prayer in my YouVersion app and have prayed it regularly because my ultimate desire and approval come from Jesus and nobody else. At the end of the day, I want to be called a ‘good and faithful servant’ when I see Him:
God, I ask for protection over my mind & heart. I want to be willing to let go of things that are not Your will for me so that I can make room for things that You do have prepared for me. Guard me from any thoughts, relationships or beliefs that are not from You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
All this is to say, I’ve shared this particular story about our family publicly.
In the future, I’m unsure if we will do so again.
If we are called to, and if, after checking our motivations through prayer, it seems okay, we might.
Sorry if that’s a much more faith-based answer than what you were looking for.
Thanks for sharing this story. It’s good to have these sorts of perspectives on the forum, in my opinion.
On the subject of public versus private giving, I wonder if we should experiment with some different models. For example, besides fully public or fully anonymous giving, I could imagine:
Giving through a community foundation (or church, employer, etc) where the credit goes to the community rather than to the individual
Psudonymous giving, “this gift from Scott Alexander”
Unverifiable acknowledgement: The recipient acknowledges a gift but keeps the donor secret. The donor could claim credit but so could others.
Anonymous-but-not-really (like in the curb your enthusiasm sketch)
Yes, it’s definitely a delicate balance.
Back in July, I had the pleasure of meeting a passionate, upright, and caring role model of mine, Dr. Jim Burns, at a week-long family Christian summer conference (CBCC).
I asked him about his journey as a nonprofit entrepreneur, and one of the insights I journaled after our conversation was the importance of regularly asking Jesus to check our motives, motivations, and ego.
Since then, I have saved this prayer in my YouVersion app and have prayed it regularly because my ultimate desire and approval come from Jesus and nobody else. At the end of the day, I want to be called a ‘good and faithful servant’ when I see Him:
All this is to say, I’ve shared this particular story about our family publicly.
In the future, I’m unsure if we will do so again.
If we are called to, and if, after checking our motivations through prayer, it seems okay, we might.
Sorry if that’s a much more faith-based answer than what you were looking for.