You want to know why fundraising seemed like such a dreadful task to me for so long? Because I secretly hate money. Well, the idea of it. Of course I enjoy a big paycheck and I recognize the need to have/make money to pay bills and to do (most) things that you love. I just never liked the power that it could have over people. I’ve seen it do ugly things to loved ones and hold a lot of people back from living their best life. And I desire for everyone to live their best life!
There was a series that we were doing at church a couple months ago and one of the main points was that God opens the doors to those who open doors for others. Doors meaning the different opportunities/paths in life. He was speaking of the value of hospitality that came from being a Christian. I started to think of the different ways I was generous to others as I sat next to the most generous friend I have (Kayla, that’s you). Generosity comes in many forms: opening your home to others, sharing resources, giving your time, giving kind words etc. I knew for a fact that I was generous with my time, because quality time is my love language. But it bothered me that I couldn’t say that I was as generous with my money.
I thought back to all the amazing gifts that my friends had given me and how it was like a first instinct to them, but not me. You see, I had to come to a hard realization that I grew into a person that I feared being. A person who let money have power over them, even the lightest amount. I came into college with the mentality that I had to save my money so that my mom would have one less thing to pay for. She had been supporting me my entire life and paying for my expensive private school after all. I thought that I was being a good daughter. Being cautious. Not going out too much. Holding back on being the generous person I wanted to be. But being afraid of not having money wasn’t what my mom taught me. Nor was it something that God called me to be, because if God is a generous God, then he’d want me to be a generous daughter.
It’s ironic because as you guys are being insanely generous with your money and support, I have become more generous as well. I thought I was going to work and save every penny I could to help pay for at least some of this trip, but God has been showing me what true freedom and trust in my finances looks like. And it’s AMAZING! Any time I see someone post a Go-Fund Me, see a gift that a friend would love or just see anyone asking for donations, I not only feel led to, but joyful to give. A part of me now understands what it feels like to be on that end and I want to help any little way I can. If I can help open a door for someone, then I want to without the fear of it costing me something. It’s not too late to work on being the person that you want to be.
When I took a class on spiritual disciplines, I was blown away on the topic of tithing. I learned the true value & meaning of giving our first 10% to God and how He promises to bless that. It doesn’t promise that it’ll be through finances necessarily, but He promises to take care of us and return to us more than we could imagine. I can attest to that! I didn’t start giving my consistent tithe to my church until the beginning of this year…..And i’ve been going to church my entire life. Yikes. But now, I honestly get excited to give my tithe online when I get my paycheck. I don’t look at my bills, or pay anything else until I give my first to God. It’s so freeing to know that I can give in any area and that God is taking care of me.
“A generous person will prosper;whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25
“I hold the Key of David in my hand. The DOORS that I unlock and open, no one else can close. And any DOORS that I shut and lock, no one will ever be able to open. Now I know everything you have done. So look! I am placing before you AN OPEN DOOR that no one can shut! I know that you are not very strong, but you’ve kept my word and you’ve been faithful to me.” Revelation 3:7-8
FUNDRAISING UPDATE:
My first fundraising deadline was TODAY & thanks to your guys’ generosity we met $5,000 two weeks ago! With God’s help of molding my heart, clearing my perspective, and through your encouragement, this has turned into a truly fun and exciting journey. And we aren’t even to the best part yet (leaving on the World Race, duh)! So thank you so much for helping me get to this first deadline.
Next goal: 10,000 by September 21st!!
I know I said that I was scared in my last post, but I know that God won’t let that door get shut unless HE wants to. So ‘m super excited! I have some shirts i’ll be selling soon and more fundraising opportunities coming your way, so stay tuned! 🙂
Love,
Jezebelle
