To me, fundraising is a miserable and daunting task. Please, if you know of someone who disagrees, introduce me to them! But as I have always been told, sometimes in life we have to do things we don’t want to do.
As I search for encouragement I have been lead to people in the Bible who raised funds for ministry. In Exodus 25:1-2 The Lord spoke to Moses: “Tell the Israelites to take an offering for me; from every person whose heart makes him willing you are to receive my offering.” As Moses was trying to build a tabernacle for worship, he asked God’s people to offer what they had for support. The people brought gold, silver and bronze. They brought the linens they had hand made from silk or goat’s hair. Olive oil was brought for light, and spices were brought for incense. Every skilled person among them came and brought what the Lord commanded. God clearly told Moses to “take an offering for me; from every person whose heart makes him willing.” Moses obeyed and the people listened providing more than enough needed to finish the work.
Our money is our livelihood. We commit enormous amounts of time and energy into making our money so why wouldn’t we want to hold onto it? Sometimes I find myself idolizing my money because I worked so hard for it, and it provides for me the things I need and enjoy. Then God reminds me of David and the example he set by giving. Then he asked the leaders of his church to give an offering. Once again, God is the source and recipient of all giving. “But who am I and who are my people, that we should be in a position to contribute this much? Indeed, everything comes from you, and we have simply given back to you what is yours.” (2 Chron 29:14) God provides for us, and it is our duty to give back to Him on this earth. Paul also states in the Bible that we are to give willingly and generously. Giving of our money is a way to show obedience to God.
So as I feel discouraged and overwhelmed by the amount of funds I must raise, God reminds me that He will provide and He will call his people to do so. Help me build the church for God’s people. No donation is too small when you are giving back to the kingdom of God.
