In this clip from my podcast interview with Dr. Victoria Sarvadi of the Nathaniel Foundation, she makes a simple but demanding point about giving:
Some resources are not ours to use. They are entrusted to us for others.
When money or resources are designated for giving, such as a tithe, they are meant to move outward. Using them for personal needs, even well-intentioned ones, is off-mark. It actually puts us in debt, because we’ve taken something that was entrusted for a different purpose.
This reframes giving entirely.
Giving isn’t only about generosity. It’s about responsibility.
The question isn’t: “Can I justify this use?” It’s:“Who was this meant for?”
When resources meant for others are redirected inward, the loss isn’t just financial. It’s a breach of trust, not only with the people we were meant to help, but between us and the values that guide us to give.
Good giving starts with recognizing that not everything we hold is ours to spend.
Some things are held on behalf of others, and honoring that is part of what makes giving rewarding.
Watch or listen to the full episode here:
