Spirituality and Giving
“Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord with their whole heart.” 1 Chronicles 29:9
“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occaision, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God.”
II Corinthians 9:10-13a
“How does spiritual communion manifest itself concretely? When fundraising as ministry calls us together in communion with God and with one another, it must hold out the real possibility of friendship and community.
People have such a need for friendship and community that fundraising has to be community-building. I wonder how many churches and charitable organizations realize that community is one of the greatest gifts they have to offer.
If we ask for money, it means that we offer new fellowship, a new brotherhood, a new sisterhood, a new way of belonging. We have something to offer – friendship, prayer, peace, love, fidelity, affection, ministry with those in need – and these things are so valuable that people are willing to make their resources available to sustain them.
Fundraising must always aim to create new, lasting relationships. I know people whose lives center around the friendships they find in churches, monasteries, service organizations, and in intentional Christian communities. These people visit or volunteer and it is in these settings that they find nurture and support.
If these people have money, the will give it; but that is not the point. When compared with new freedom and new friends in a new communion, the money is the least interesting thing.”
-- Henri J. M. Nouwen, “The Spirituality of Fundraising”
Personal Prayer – Lord God, I pray today, that you would help me see what you would do through me.