On Wednesday morning, October 21, more than 40 people filled the King Parlor at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando for breakfast, strong coffee and a conversation about generosity. It was an early start, and the room was full.
We gathered to learn from Todd Harper, co-founder of Generous Giving. For more than 20 years, Todd has walked alongside generous individuals and families, watching the attitudes, habits and decisions that shape their lives and their legacies. For 45 minutes, he shared what he has seen in a talk he called "10 Observations of Generous Givers."
Before Todd stood up, I told the room something I meant. This was not a fundraising event. No one would be asked for anything. We simply wanted to learn together from people who give with open hands, because giving well is something we learn. It grows out of what we believe about God, about money and about what will last.
A credible voice
I met Todd years ago at Cru's National Campus Ministry office when we first arrived in Orlando. He was friendly and always had a great smile for everyone, and that same smile ALWAYS greets me. Todd served 11 years with Cru in Russia, Yugoslavia and the United States, then spent years as a partner at an investment management firm advising clients on growing and using wealth wisely. He knows the Scriptures and he knows money, and he has sat across the table from a lot of generous people over the years.
That is why his words carried weight. Several of you told me afterward that the content was rich and that Todd is a winner as a person. I agree on both counts.
What stayed with me
Two of these keep coming back to me. The first is delight over duty. Giving that comes from "I get to" looks and feels different from giving that comes from "I ought to," and you could see people in the room nodding at that one.
The second is the line and the dot. The dot is this short life. The line is eternity. Generous people make their decisions for the line.
Todd also showed us the story of Sherry and Kim Teter, and he pointed us to the story of Pete and Deb Ochs. If you were there, the Ochses' story is worth your time. If you weren't, start with both.
The 10 observations
Here is what Todd has seen in generous givers over two decades:
They believe the ultimate authority in their lives is God's Word, and they make decisions based on it.
They have a stewardship mentality rather than an ownership mentality. They believe God owns it all.
They approach giving as a "get to" rather than an "ought to." Delight is far more powerful than duty.
They share their financial dealings openly with one or more people and receive encouragement to keep living as stewards.
They have answered the question of how much is enough for personal consumption. Stuff has mass, creates gravity and demands attention, and the more stuff, the more attention. "Be careful what you own because it can own you."
They have learned to engage their spouse meaningfully, leading each other without leaving the other behind.
They realize that earthly success could equal spiritual failure, and they have built guardrails to protect themselves.
They think generationally and invest time, talent and treasure in cultivating stewardship in the next generations.
They recognize that stewardship involves their whole LIFE: Labor, Influence, Finances and Expertise.
They live with eternity in view. "Live for the line not the dot!"
Where to go from here
Since 1979, the Heart of the City Foundation has given Covenant Partners of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando a God-honoring way to partner with Him in growing His Kingdom. If the morning got you thinking, here are four next steps.
Stay in the loop. Sign up for our communications to hear about the next breakfast.
Become a Foundation Champion. Champions carry the cost of caring for every fund, so more of each gift goes to ministry. Each one gives $1,000 or more a year to our Annual Fund and helps tell our story. Learn more.
Remember the Foundation in your will or trust. Let us know, and you'll join our Legacy Society. No will or trust yet? Make one. If you'd like to talk it through, email me at dennis@heartofthecityfoundation.org.
Journey to Scotland and Ireland. Our friend and pastor, Dr. Case Thorp, leads the 2027 Scots-Irish Christian History & Contemporary Faith Tour, April 1 to 13, 2027.
Thank you
Thank you, Todd, for your time, your wisdom and that smile. Thank you to Generous Giving for the work you do around the world. And thank you to everyone who gave us your Wednesday morning.
I left the King Parlor thinking about my own dot and my own line. I hope you did too.
Dennis Brockman, Foundation Director, Heart of the City Foundation
