[El Scorcho]

Let's say someone handed you $50 to spend with the condition that it be spent doing good for someone else.

How would you spend it?

Really. I'm looking for serious answers. Bonus points if you can think of creative ways to stretch it out and spread it around for maximum benefit.

[SuperJon]

I'd buy flowers or balloons or something and take it to a hospital and walk down a random floor giving it to random patients.

Or buy a bunch of diapers and go to the maternity floor at a hospital and give them to new parents.

Or buy a bunch of hamburgers/tacos/cheap food and drive around and give them to people living on the street.

[flamesbball84]

invest it so it can turn into more money to benefit more people, or one person more

[El Scorcho]

invest it so it can turn into more money to benefit more people, or one person more

Yeah, I want to figure out a way to multiply it and spread it around, but it needs to be used to serve now. I can't sit on it.

This actually happened to me on Sunday. My church gave every individual and family in attendance an envelope with $50 inside. Our instructions were to use it to fund efforts to serve as part of celebrating Advent.

I have a ton of ideas, but I want to be creative and get the most out of it, so I'm making myself wait a week before I settle on something.

[Sly Fox]

A number of churches have done similar deals the past year. Frankly I am not sure what I would do and that's why I have hesitated to respond.

My first inclination would be to send it directly to one of my overseas missionary friends. The economy has decimated the financial support they generally receive from churches. But that may be taking the easy way out for this assignment.

Hmmmmmm ....

[rueful]

As a Youth Pastor I say this in full honesty:

Give it to the Youth Pastor of your church.

I dont think this is the case with all churches, but I think some churches that do this should probably have given that money to the youth pastor, and they could have made a much better investment.

[ALUmnus]

I'm more in line with what Sly is thinking. Give it to someone you trust overseas. I have a buddy who runs a church-planting ministry to the poor and hungry in Brazil. I trust him, know exactly what will be done with the money, can see the money in action, and $50 in Brazil will go a lot further than $50 here. If you don't have time to invest it to make it grow, take it to a place where it will grow immediately.

I didn't answer because it wasn't very creative.

However, saying all that, I know that all the charities in the Lynchburg area a very desparate for funds and help. That money could be put to very good use here. Combine it with some volunteer hours with your family.

[TDDance234]

I like the idea of taking diapers in to a maternity ward...or balloons/flowers to a hospital.

I'd take it a step farther - and include a $5 bill w/ each gift and challenge the next family to pass it on. Or pair it with $50 of your own money and challenge them to keep it going.

We have this battle weekly. We had a member of our congregation win the lottery (multi-millions). For two years, he's come in wrote a check for $5,200 and we're to give $100 a week to someone who needs it. Every so often I'll take a walk in our neighborhood and strike up a conversation w/ someone working in their yard and find they have a need or a relative who is in need and able to just hand them a $100 bill. It's really an awesome way to minister to our local neighborhoods.

[Rooster Cogburn]

after experiencing the cancer center here in Lynchburg I would find a way to use it to reach the people there getting treated. I would use it to either get them a gift or gas money for driving in for all the treatments and use it to strike up a conversation about Jesus.

[El Scorcho]

Thanks, guys. I really appreciate all of your responses. I'm still undecided, but I'll be sure to follow-up when I decide.

[flamesbball84]

invest it so it can turn into more money to benefit more people, or one person more

Yeah, I want to figure out a way to multiply it and spread it around, but it needs to be used to serve now. I can't sit on it.

This actually happened to me on Sunday. My church gave every individual and family in attendance an envelope with $50 inside. Our instructions were to use it to fund efforts to serve as part of celebrating Advent.

I have a ton of ideas, but I want to be creative and get the most out of it, so I'm making myself wait a week before I settle on something.

The money I am spending investing will go to benefit someone!

[tennisfan]

Here's an idea.... Our daughter, a freshman at the University of Oklahoma, took about $44 and went to Taco Bell and bought burritos (Taco Bell actually matched the $44) then she and her friends went around to random college students who were studying for finals... they offered them a free burrito and spread the Gospel. (they bought the burritos in shifts so that they were fresh and hot) Maybe you could have a college group go into the city, give out burritos or something else, and witness to the homeless or some other group. The Taco Bell in Oklahoma was so inspired that these college kids were using their own money to buy food for students they wanted in on the action and matched the money! So... you might be able to feed the masses and the restaurant you select may even help your $50 become $100!!
My daughter had a wonderful time and was rewarded greatly from the experience!
Just an idea! Good Luck!

[SuperJon]

Your post raises and even bigger question for me:

If you go out and give things away like this, do you go out with the intention of "witnessing" to every single person or do you go out with the intent to show love and walk through and open door if you get the chance?

[tennisfan]

Hi SuperJon!
Well, you raise a good question... Our daughter said that the idea came up spontaneously and they just set out to deliver the food. I do know that they shared the Love of Christ and His Holy Word to many. They caught these students off guard and they were all so curious as to why they were being given free food... that in itself presented an open door. It was all done in a carefree, light hearted and genuine way and everything happened naturally. I thought it was a clever idea and I was impressed that this group of kids would take time away from their studies to reach out to others.
Hopefully that answers your question?