More Than Enough

Thriving as a Christian fundraiser

For many of us, thriving may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about fundraising as a part of our roles. I’ve heard it described by some as the “necessary evil” to get to the real work of ministry. There may be a better posture. I would suggest that before we consider what it means to thrive as a Christian fundraiser, we first look at Scripture to determine what it means to thrive as a human in general.

The greatest commandment, drawn from Deut. 6, Matt. 22, and Luke 10, is for us as human beings made in the image of God to love the Lord our God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength. It is when we live into and from our love for God and his love for us, that we lean into a life of unity and abiding with him.

So, the question that follows is simply: “What does it look like to thrive out of this kind of posture toward God as it relates to my role in fundraising as a Christian?”

Love the Lord with your Heart

I think the question we must ask ourselves when it comes to loving God with our hearts as Christians in fundraising is, “What do I seek?”

“First the giver, then the gift.”

Early on in my fundraising career, I had a friend share a mantra that helped to guide his work in fundraising, and I believe applies here, “First the giver, then the gift.” Do I seek the gift, or do I seek God’s plan for the giver behind the gift. If the former, then this becomes a transactional exchange, not a transformational ministry.

We read in Henri Nouwen’s The Spirituality of Fundraising the shift in heart posture to seeing the work of raising resources as a kingdom work in and of itself. If you have not had the chance to read this short primer on a spiritual approach to fundraising, I would commend it to you.

Finally, Paul reinforces this heart posture as he reminds the church in Philippi, “Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.” (Phil. 4:17). When we set our hearts on this course – that of seeking for, not from, the giver – we align our hearts with that of Christ. This unleashes us to thrive in alignment with his design.

Love the Lord with your Soul

To love the Lord with our souls as Christian fundraisers, is to model what Moses encourages in Exodus 35 when taking up an offering for the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness: “Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering…” (Ex. 35:5) This is also reflected in what Paul instructs the Corinthians: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give…” (2 Cor. 9:7)

In both cases, the emphasis is turned to consider what the Spirit of God is doing in the heart of the giver. This orientation is a critical posture in loving God with our soul as Christian fundraisers. That is because it is a declaration at this deep level that it is the Holy Spirit, not me, who is at work to raise resources for kingdom work. My role is to simply, and diligently, follow his lead and encourage giving partners to do so as well.

Love the Lord with your Mind

If you continue in the Exodus narrative of the building of the tabernacle, you’ll come to chapter 36 verse 5. There you will see the result of the people’s Godward orientation when considering their sacrificial gifts. “More than enough.”

This “more than enough” mindset is critical for the Christian fundraiser to thrive.

The skilled workers who had been utilizing the resources that had been given went to Moses to let him know that more than was needed had been donated. Moses went back to the people and instructed them to stop bringing supplies, for they had already received more than enough to finish the building of the tabernacle. This “more than enough” mindset is critical for the Christian fundraiser to thrive.

Do you believe God’s storehouse contains more than enough to cover the needs of every ministry and organization?

Do a quick search throughout Scripture, and you will see how many times the idea of “more than enough” surfaces in reference to God meeting a need. Having this understanding, intellectually and logically, gives us a firm foundation for entering conversations with giving partners. We can engage in our work as Christian fundraisers with confidence that there is plenty to go around.

As I have said before, God is in the pie business. There isn’t just one pie from which we are all trying to get our slice. He is making and dishing out pies all day long. We simply must maintain a mindset that he is the provider, and as such, there is plenty.

Love the Lord with your Strength

I would like us to consider this last expression of love considering what we do with our hands as Christian fundraisers. How do you arrange your time? To what tasks do you apply yourself? The tasks we apply ourselves to in fundraising have been called “faithful activities.” This denotes faithfulness on our part which in time produces fruit due to God’s work. Seed Fundraisers calls this “Daily Practice.” (What are the daily disciplines to which we commit our hands and focus which lead to desired organizational results?)

Scripturally, we can turn to the Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14-30) to see what diligent management can accomplish. This parable illustrates thinking of our work as managing the master’s resources for a time to return them with increase. To thrive as a Christian fundraiser, we focus not on the fruit – for which we pray but can’t control. Instead, we focus on the faithful act of our hands as discerned by study and reflection.

Thriving Givers

We must approach our work in a way that causes us to thrive. However, I want to share an additional thought on helping the giving partners with whom we engage to thrive.

It embraces a God of abundance.

When we love the Lord our God as described above it cascades into our conversations, our writing, and our presence. It is a declaration to those who hear that giving is to be Spirit-led. It embraces a God of abundance. This communicates that the work of giving is no less important than the work of going. These realities are life-giving to those whom God has called us to engage. As Christian fundraisers we are at the forefront of this work.

Developing a life of loving God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength is critical to our effectiveness and longevity as followers of Christ. It is imperative for us who choose to walk the path of catalyzing generosity for the nonprofit sector. As we consider this renewed approach to fundraising as Christians, I leave you with this encouragement from Hudson Taylor, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”

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Nathan Jones currently serves as President of the Youth For Christ Foundation, Partner with Seed Fundraisers, and Associate with The Slingshot Group. His passion is to see biblical truth inform the way we go about raising resources for kingdom impact. Nathan resides in Littleton, CO with his wife Libby, and four sons. He is a member of the Christian Leadership Alliance Board of Directors.

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