I felt called to look at a biblical view of fundraising and share this with you.
What is Fundraising and what does the bible have to say about it in regards to ministry for the gospel?
We also call it Ministry Partner Development because we believe this is a partnership of giving and receiving that advances the gospel. When I ask for supporters to give financially I am not begging or asking anyone to be an ATM. This type of partnership in financial giving is biblical and a blessing for those who give and those who receive.
Both Jesus and Paul are excellent examples of ministries that relied on partnership of others in both giving and receiving.
Jesus: In Luke chapter 8 we read how Jesus’ ministry was supported by a group of women.
“Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. . . Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” Luke 8:1-3
Jesus sends us as he sent the 72 in Luke 10 to advance the Kingdom of God by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus and calling all to repent and believe. As Jesus sends them he tells them to take nothing but to depend on the generosity of others for the worker is worth his wages. (Luke 10:1,7) As staff for InterVarsity my full time work is the gospel and the advancement of the kingdom.
Paul: Paul’s ministry was supported by the people in the church of Philippi and Paul writes this to the Philippians in chapter 4 of his letter as part of prayer letter of thanks. As Paul did before me I send out my regular prayer newsletter to my partners in the gospel to encourage, update and ask for continued prayer.
"And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only." (Philippians 4:15)
Remember that this is a partnership of giving and receiving. As I receive your gifts of prayer and fincancial giving I am equipped to work full time on the college campus. Through my ministry I also hope to give back to you in stories, fruit in the kingdom, encouragement and prayer.
We are all called into partnership in ministry of the gospel to advance the kingdom. But we each have different callings, gifts and resources. Some are called to preach and some are called to encourage and support but all are important. God has called me to this work as a minister of his gospel to college students through my work with InterVarsity to college students at CU Boulder. That is why I have and will continue to invite you and others into partnership with me in giving and receiving for my InterVarsity ministry.
Both Jesus and Paul are excellent examples of ministries that relied on partnership of others in both giving and receiving.
Jesus: In Luke chapter 8 we read how Jesus’ ministry was supported by a group of women.
“Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. . . Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” Luke 8:1-3
Jesus sends us as he sent the 72 in Luke 10 to advance the Kingdom of God by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus and calling all to repent and believe. As Jesus sends them he tells them to take nothing but to depend on the generosity of others for the worker is worth his wages. (Luke 10:1,7) As staff for InterVarsity my full time work is the gospel and the advancement of the kingdom.
Paul: Paul’s ministry was supported by the people in the church of Philippi and Paul writes this to the Philippians in chapter 4 of his letter as part of prayer letter of thanks. As Paul did before me I send out my regular prayer newsletter to my partners in the gospel to encourage, update and ask for continued prayer.
"And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only." (Philippians 4:15)
Remember that this is a partnership of giving and receiving. As I receive your gifts of prayer and fincancial giving I am equipped to work full time on the college campus. Through my ministry I also hope to give back to you in stories, fruit in the kingdom, encouragement and prayer.
We are all called into partnership in ministry of the gospel to advance the kingdom. But we each have different callings, gifts and resources. Some are called to preach and some are called to encourage and support but all are important. God has called me to this work as a minister of his gospel to college students through my work with InterVarsity to college students at CU Boulder. That is why I have and will continue to invite you and others into partnership with me in giving and receiving for my InterVarsity ministry.
I trust God will provide for me and my ministry as he also provides for you. For God is the only provider and we are all dependent on him whether we work as engineers, moms, or ministers of the gospel.
Thank you and as Paul said to the Philippians (ch 4) "May God supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
-Daniel
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