Giving Tuesday has become a global moment to celebrate generosity. But for believers, it can be much more than a once-a-year opportunity to give. It can become a catalyst to cultivate a lifestyle of intentional, joy-filled stewardship all year long.Today, we explore how to give with both heart and wisdom—so that our generosity reflects God’s purposes, not merely the moment. Joining the conversation is Al Mueller, founder and CEO of Excellence in Giving and former executive with Morgan Stanley and UBS.Beyond the Moment: What Giving Tuesday Really RepresentsFor Al Mueller, Giving Tuesday is more than a charitable trend—it’s an invitation.“Giving Tuesday is a great opportunity to begin acting on generosity,” he says, “but it’s also a moment to pause and align with God’s purposes.” Al reminds us of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart… for God loves a cheerful giver.”In other words, generosity is more than an impulse. It is an act of worship. Giving Tuesday can be a spark, but intentional stewardship is the flame that keeps burning throughout the year.Al summarizes biblical giving with a simple idea: “God gave us both a head and a heart—He didn’t say pick one.”Wise stewardship holds both together:The heart expresses compassion, joy, and worship.The head evaluates impact, effectiveness, and alignment with God’s purposes.Stewardship looks at the Kingdom outcomes we long to see and asks how we can best contribute to them. Some giving is planned, some spontaneous—but all of it can be intentional.Helping Donors Give With ExcellenceAt Excellence in Giving, Al and his team equip high-capacity givers—often those giving $1 million or more annually—to make well-informed, impactful decisions. They offer research, due diligence, and accountability that help donors shift from reactive to proactive giving.But these principles, Al emphasizes, are not reserved for the ultra-wealthy.“Everyone can do their own homework,” he says. “Everyone can ask good questions. Everyone can give intentionally.”Whether you’re giving $50 or $50,000, evaluating ministries wisely matters. Al recommends starting with three core questions:What problem is the ministry trying to solve?What do they believe is the root cause of that problem?What measurable results have they seen?Healthy ministries provide clear reporting, measurable outcomes, and transparent leadership. They welcome questions and view accountability as part of discipleship.Key indicators to review include:Leadership stabilityDonor and staff retentionClear communicationTransparent financial practicesEvidence of life changeStrong ministries don’t hide their results—they celebrate them.Red Flags: When to Think TwiceJust as there are markers of strong ministries, there are warning signs that should prompt caution:Vague vision without a clear planEmotional pressure or over-spiritualizing resultsLack of reporting or unwillingness to share outcomesOver-dependence on a single donorRepeated urgent appeals for fundsAl calls vague visions “ministry hallucinations”—dreams without blueprints. Just as you wouldn’t build a house without plans, you shouldn’t fund ministry without clarity.A Growing Trend: Collaborative GivingOne of the most exciting developments in philanthropy today is collaborative giving—donors pooling resources to make a larger, more strategic impact.Pooling resources:Helps ministries secure larger grants

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