What is your view of fundraising? Thankfully the Bible provides all the principles we need for fundraising. That is why our staff at Blessings Brokers uses the term, “faith-raising.”
There are many Biblical figures like Moses and Paul who were “faith-raisers”. Moses was the first to conduct a capital campaign. In Exodus 25, God tells Moses to “take an offering for me; from every person whose heart was willing.” The response was so great that Moses actually had to tell the people that they had enough. “So the people were restrained from bringing any more. Now the materials were more than enough for them to do all the work.” (Exodus 36:6-7)
We see Paul, in the New Testament, asking churches to fund his ministry. “With regard to the collection for the saints, please follow the directions that I gave to the churches of Galatia. On the first day of the week, each of you should set aside some income and save it to the extent that God has blessed you, so that a collection will not have to be made when I come. Then, when I arrive, I will send those whom you approve with letters of explanation to carry your gift to Jerusalem.” (1 Corinthians 16:1-3)
These key faith-raisers give us a guide for how we can incorporate Biblical principles in our own fundraising strategies.
- God is the Provider. Our foundation for every transaction in a ministry must be that God is the Provider.
- We must totally rely on God, and not our own understanding; however, we must be willing to ask God’s people for funds.
- Christians are called to lives of stewardship. This is true for ministries and businesses too. The dollars are not our own to spend.
- We must be prepared to report on how donations are being used.
In my years working as a “faith-raiser,” I have found that these principles are key for every ministry. When we submit our desires and wills to the Lord and trust the Provider, this is when the fruit of our labor is seen.