“Do we need it; do we need it now?”
This month we’d like to feature a donor who’s not only supported the work of CAP Ireland since launching but is also someone who exemplifies a life-long stewardship of supporting churches and Christian works.
David McCabe has been influential in my life and many others, in challenging us to be more intentional about stewarding all of God’s resources including our income, wealth and possessions. Yet he’s also humble and since retiring from banking years ago, continues to prophetically call out the constructive role our personal finances can have in our lives, the lives of others and God’s Kingdom here on earth.
I first met David over thirty years ago when we were both much younger and able to chase a football around an indoor pitch. He was the first person to challenge me about being more intentional with my income and showing me how my giving to Christian works, can become a priority.
Wise words to live by
An example of how David helped me was with a simple phase he and his wife Joan (since passed) would apply when making family decisions about their spending: “Do we need it; do we need it now?”
This month I sat down with David and firstly thanked him for his support as an early donor supporting CAP’s work. I then asked him to reflect on his life and what he might like to share with others. Here’s how the conversation went:
What is your earliest memory of money when you were growing up?
Well my father died when I was 12 years of age and I realised how difficult it was for my mother to raise myself and my two younger brothers. This was at a time when there was no social-welfare safety net but family members did financially support my mother, helping her to raise her three sons and in getting us all an education.
How did you learn to manage your own finances as an adult?
I realised early on in secondary school that I was comfortable with numbers and I went on to study accountancy, completing my finals at the age of 19. So I was always disciplined with my income including savings. But it wasn’t until I got married to Joan (since passed) who was already tithing and giving 10% of her income to the church, that I started tithing too. As my career progressed, we both decided that financially supporting our church and other Christian works was important. As a Christian, I believe in the principle that our money, wealth and possessions are not our own, but God’s and we are stewards.
How else have you lived out this stewardship principle?
Over the years I’ve served on Boards of Christian organisations so I hope I’ve been of use in helping them to run their activities well. People have asked for my help personally with their finances and so I’ve been able to help them at times in their lives. Charities and Churches, like people, need to know and apply good financial discipline, whether it’s raising funds in the first place or reporting in a timely manner as to how these funds were used (in their audited accounts etc.). I hope my life has reflected that it’s not about the accumulation of wealth, but providing for family and supporting good works.
You attended the public launch of CAP Ireland back in Sep 2023?
Yes, that was important to me. As you can tell from my story, the work of CAP is close to my heart and so it was exciting to see this new work launching, working with Churches who can then help people with their budgeting and money etc. I wrote to John Kirkby, the founder of CAP UK many years ago and at the launch I spoke with him in Dublin and he remembered getting my letter! It has also been important for me to support the work of CAP as a donor since then.
I’m also very pleased to hear that CAP as a charity is availing of Revenue’s Tax ReClaim scheme – did you know I was one of a few Christians that first lobbied for such a scheme with the then Minister of Finance?
“If you are unable to give to charitable causes while you are living – then make sure to give when you die!”
David has also been very vocal in saying: “if you are unable to give to charitable causes while you are living – then make sure to give when you die!” What he’s referring to is charitable giving through your Will or legacy giving. This is relatively straightforward to do with some legal advise or added to an existing Will by means of a Codicil, after any family inheritance provisions. Some families choose to honour a loved one when they pass, by requesting that instead of flowers etc., all monies might be donated to a registered charity representing a cause their loved one was passionate about.
If you’d like to understand more about CAP’s work and our funding model, then please email alan@capireland.ie
Garden party invitation
We had a lovely garden party last summer to thank our donors. It was such a great event that we are repeating it. Many thanks to our hosts for opening their beautiful garden in Blackrock Co Dublin again on August 23rd 2- 4 pm.
If you are interested in exploring becoming a donor you are also welcome. Why not come along to hear more? Email Alan for a calendar invite and drop in when you can, families welcome.
Finally, CAP posted last year about stewardship, based on the teaching of the Apostle Paul. You can read the article HERE