I think I’m going to consider the unthinkable: I might be changing my email address(es). The reason? Giving Tuesday. What happened?

In football, the rule violation is called “piling on;” it penalizes the offending team 15 yards of high-value territory. Here’s what they’re looking for: “…jumping on a ball carrier who has already been downed, designed to protect players who are no longer in a position to defend themselves” (Int’l American Football Officials Association).

Last Tuesday, the yellow flags were flying over my in-box. I was the “ball-carrier” (the suspected donor-prospect), and I was already “down” (fully invested for 2026). “Anybody else want a piece of this guy?” If there were ever grounds for a “piling on” penalty in stewardship, I qualified. 

Last year, our Kingdom investment portfolio recorded contributions to 27 ministries; this year will likely match that. The individual line-items ranged from four digits to six digits; we’re at the life stage wherein our contributions no longer represent a percentage of income. These days – being lightly retired – we’re giving back all of our income in addition to liquidated retirement and investment assets. We’re deeply committed to funding the Kingdom.

  Among the significant ministries that draw our partnership is the movement we founded 41 years ago: Priority Living/The Master’s Program is among our favorite eternal investments. I feel the same perspective that Paul expressed when he wrote to the believers in Corinth who traced their spiritual birth and maturation to his ministry into their lives.

Here’s what he wrote to them:

“We’re not barging in on the rightful work of others, interfering with their ministries, demanding a place in the sun with them. What we’re hoping for is that as your lives grow in faith, you’ll play a part within our expanding work. And we’ll all still be within the limits God sets as we proclaim the Message in countries beyond Corinth. But we have no intention of moving in on what others have done and taking credit for it. ‘If you want to claim credit, claim it for God.’ What you say about yourself means nothing in God’s work. It’s what God says about you that makes the difference” (from 2 Corinthians 10, in The Message).

My weekly conversation with you – via this Point of View blog – has its origins in 1988, long before you had an email address. Then, it was the Fax of Encouragement, and it went out to hundreds every week. When comms change to internet, we modified delivery and it became the Point of View, now sent to 8000+ every Monday. You’re not part of a marketing multitude: you’re known to be a Kingdom influencer whose example is seen and appreciated by family, friends and your downline.

There are multiple ministers and ministries whom God has used to enhance your leadership and refine your righteousness. I’ll echo Paul:

“we have no intention of moving in on what others have done and taking credit for it.” At the same time, “what we’re hoping for is that as your lives grow in faith, you’ll play a part within our expanding work.”

What’s he asking of them?

If the Corinthian believers had benefited from Paul’s ministry to them, he challenged them to mature from being Gospel Consumers to Gospel Patrons, partnering with him in his expanding territory of impact. What am I asking of you? Are you one of our consumers, or are you a patron?

Giving Tuesday is for lightweights who need to be prodded by the culture to cough up a few bucks for charity. Gospel Patrons – like you! – are investors less likely to respond to the once-a-year post-Thanksgiving clean-up effort: you live to steward your Kingdom resources for maximum impact.

Cheri and I didn’t do any “giving” last Tuesday: instead, we give 24/7/365 to the efforts that will change our world and build God’s Kingdom. Among our top performers: The Master’s Program.

— Bob Shank

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TMP COHORTS STARTING SOON!

ORLANDO – January 2026
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Chriss Skiff’s Contact Information:
Email: chris.skiff@priorityliving.org
Phone: 805-440-1700