Even though they couldn't make the mortgage, Edgar Villanueva's church gave. They took on significant risks, supporting missionaries, responding to natural disasters, helping hungry families.

They felt called to make major investments in the community, so they did. Even though it was scary, God always just provided, Villanueva said. It was biblical, he said, to continue toward their calling and trust that things were going to be OK.

"Helping generate wealth in diverse communities is one of the greatest things that churches can do," Villanueva said.

A registered member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, Villanueva was first introduced to giving and selflessness through his mother, who did outreach for her church in the time between her several labor-intensive domestic jobs. She was passionate about getting people to church, especially kids, he said.

Villanueva is now a leading expert in global philanthropy and serves as the vice president of programs and advocacy at the Schott Foundation for Public Education. He is the author of "Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance."

Villanueva spoke recently to our colleagues at Faith & Leadership about philanthropy and how the church can better engage with wealth.