When we give, we want our dollars to do more than simply make us feel generous—we want them to actually do something good. Giving without considering impact is like scattering seed in your driveway: the intent might be good but it’s not going to bear much fruit. As Christians, giving isn’t just a checklist or act of obedience—it’s an act of both worship and stewardship, a tangible way of reflecting God’s own generosity toward us. Paul reminds us, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
And here’s the thing: this matters now more than ever. Needs are greater than ever, both locally and around the world. At the same time, the number of charities has exploded. It’s the feeling I get standing in a grocery aisle staring at a hundred brands of cereal—where do you even start? Add to that all the stories of organizations mismanaging donations and even fraud, and it’s no wonder so many people are wondering what they can feel good about giving towards.
We hear these kinds of questions often:
These aren’t cynical questions—they’re stewardship questions. They come from a heart that wants to be faithful with what God has entrusted. Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38). Generosity is meant to be both joyful and fruitful and to reward both the recipient and the giver.
That’s why evaluating the impact of your charitable dollars is so important. So we wanted to help you navigate the waters and give you some tools to assess where your giving dollars are going.
At the end of the day, the gospel is the greatest gift we can help deliver. Meeting physical needs matters, but meeting eternal needs matters more. Jesus put it this way: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36).
Food fills the stomach for a few hours, but the Bread of Life fills us forever. The best charities don’t force you to choose—they find ways to do both. There are plenty of charities that do both with excellence, so don’t compromise on either. There are plenty of secular charities that non-believers will support, so let’s be sure to put giving dollars towards ones that are advancing the gospel.
When you evaluate charities, ask: “Does this ministry bring the hope of Christ with whatever else they do?”
God cares about whole people, not just their souls. James reminds us, “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” (James 2:15–16).
Some ministries focus on relief—like feeding the hungry or providing disaster aid. Others focus on development—helping people find jobs, build schools, or create sustainable farming. Still others emphasize discipleship, leadership training, or church planting. The most impactful often weave all three together, creating lasting change in lives and communities.
When you give, think about the balance: “Am I helping to meet immediate needs, but also investing in long-term transformation?” That balance often multiplies the fruit of your generosity.
Also pay attention to whether the ministry is creating a sustainable relief for those in need, or making them more dependent on future gifts. The old adage of give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime is nowhere more true than with our giving dollars. So evaluate the long-term impact of the ministry, not just whether it makes for a feel-good moment.
Let’s be honest—no one wants their gift to get stuck in the gears of bureaucracy. Overhead is necessary (ministries need staff, planning, and structure), but healthy organizations strike a balance so that most of your dollars go directly to the mission.
Think of it like an irrigation system: pipes and pumps are essential, but if most of the water never makes it to the crops, something’s wrong. Financial effectiveness is about ensuring that your generosity is flowing to the mission field, not just to the office building.
This is where transparency and accountability matter. Ask charities for their financial statements (most are available on their websites, and if they’re not, it’s not a great sign!). Look for ministries that report clearly on what they’re doing and what outcomes they’re seeing. As stewards, we don’t just want to give—we want to give well.
Thankfully, you don’t have to do all the detective work yourself. Several tools can help you research and compare ministries:
There are many more tools available, but these can help you assess your current charities you support as well as discover new ones you may not be familiar with.
All of this evaluation is important—but it’s not the end of the story. Ultimately, giving is about more than efficiency or strategy. It’s about generosity. It’s about honoring the Lord and loving people. And it’s about doing so prayerfully and joyfully.
When we give, we’re saying, “Lord, everything I have comes from You, and I want to use it for Your glory.” Wise stewardship asks the right questions, but cheerful giving remembers that God multiplies even the smallest seed of generosity into eternal fruit.
Evaluate well, give wisely, but above all, give joyfully. Because when our giving is rooted in worship and guided by wisdom, it will always make an impact that matters
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