One of my favorite stories regarding being a giver is a story about the great philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

For a number of years, Andrew Carnegie, whose wife loved classical music, made up the annual deficit of the New York Philharmonic Society. Then one year, at a meeting of the directors, he made the suggestion that the responsibility should not be his alone. He told them, “From now on, I think the burden should be shared. You raise half the deficit from other donors, and I will give you the remaining half.”

A few days later the directors informed the philanthropist that his condition had been met. He was pleased by the news. He said, “I told you the money could be easily raised. Where did you get it?” They replied, “We got it from Mrs. Carnegie.”

Some people just don’t understand what outreach means. They are so involved in their ministry, that they forget that ministry is always about reaching and discipling others. In the balance of your UP, IN, and OUT, how’s your OUT doing?

Tags: Carnegie, donation, giving, outreach