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Person participating in an ice bucket challenge, dumping a bucket of water over their head outdoors, with the words 'Fad Fundraising' and 'Acts 17:21' on a blue background.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Fad Fundraising

by Ron Haas
September 29, 2025

“All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas” (Acts 17:21).

Joseph Bayly wrote The Gospel Blimp as a satire to poke fun at Christian ministries that build elaborate systems but neglect the real work of evangelism. The plot focuses on George and Ethel, a friendly Christian couple who was concerned about their next-door neighbors but didn’t know how to share the good news of Jesus Christ. One night during a gathering at their home with some Christian friends, a blimp flew overhead. Their friend Herm came up with a brilliant idea: Why not use a blimp to proclaim the Christian message to the unchurched citizens of Middletown? Herm’s vision spawned a new non-profit organization with an exciting new strategy to buy a used blimp, hire a pilot, and evangelize their hometown by towing Bible-verse banners, broadcasting Christian music and programs over loudspeakers, and “carpet bombing” folks with gospel tracts. It’s a great farce, if only it didn’t hit so close to home. We will do anything in the name of evangelism—except talk to people about Christ. This same attitude infects fundraising. Consider these four questions as you evaluate your next fundraising event.

Time
Fundraising events take massive amounts of time to plan, execute, and follow-up. Know your purpose before investing the time. What are the key performance indicators for your event? Is your goal volunteer engagement, donor cultivation, generating fundraising income, goodwill and peer relationship building, memorable experiences, networking, milestone, or mission-affirming celebrations, etc.? Identify two or more specific outcomes for your next event.

Volunteers
Your volunteers are a precious resource. Invest their time wisely. Will the volunteer opportunities for your event be meaningful and life-giving for volunteers? Will they be energized by serving or just dutifully helping because this is what we/they have always done? If you accounted for all your volunteer time, would you break even?

Constituents
Can the time and energy invested in your event achieve significant outcomes in moving forward donor relationships through goodwill, networking, or raising funds? Events can effectively encourage greater community support, promote your mission, start new relationships, and build donor and volunteer loyalty. Sometimes we think we must take every donor down the same path. How will you reach the major donors who don’t attend your events?

Priorities
Stephen Covey said, “The enemy of the best is often the good.” Events can be positive experiences or black holes that compress and stretch you at the same time through a phenomenon called ‘spaghettification.’ At the end of the year, you will be graded on how much money you raised, not how many events you planned. You only have so many hours in your week to raise money. Manage your time wisely. Any activity that is not directly connected to identifying, cultivating, or soliciting major donors should be secondary on your to-do list.

Think About This: Fundraising events might bring you closer to your major donors, but like George and Ethel learned—it’s more effective to meet your friend face to face.

Response: Father, help me not rely too much on events to tell our story. Give me courage to visit my major donors personally and ask for their support.

Campfire burning brightly by a lake at sunset with the words “Fired Up Donors” and “2 Timothy 1:6” written on the left side.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Fired Up Donors

by Ron Haas
September 22, 2025

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6).

Starting a fire by rubbing two sticks together takes dry wood, incredible patience, and high pain tolerance. First, gather some small twigs for tinder, some slightly larger sticks for kindling, and some bigger chunks of wood. Rotate a spindle stick between your hands repeatedly on a piece of wood until the friction makes embers at the base of the stick. Once there’s a glowing ember transfer it to your tinder nest. Blow gently on the ember to ignite a flame. Slowly build your fire with kindling then add some fuelwood and marshmallows.

Every believer has a spiritual gift to kindle into a raging fire for the glory of God. The privilege of sharing is one of them, “if it is giving, then give generously” (Rom 12:8). Consider these four ways to spark a fire in your heart so you can ignite generous giving in the hearts of your ministry partners, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Tim. 1:7).

Not Timid
Paul admonished Timothy to not fear man but to boldly proclaim the word of God. Fear is a major hindrance to successful fundraising. We worry about how a prospective donor might respond to our proposal. Will they be offended? Will they get angry? Will asking for a gift harm our friendship? Some respond to this fear by talking around a gift instead of clearly asking what you want your donor to consider. Don’t heavenly hint, boldly ask!

Power
The phrase, “do not be afraid” is mentioned 365 times in the Bible. As a fundraiser you should take this promise to heart, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psa. 118:6). What’s the worst that could happen when you ask for a gift? The donor might refuse. However, a “no” is empowering because it gives you important feedback. Did they say no to the project? the gift amount? or the timing? Discover the underlying reason for their response and address their concerns.

Love
“Perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18). Where is the love in fundraising? First, your love for the Lord as you seek to serve him. Then, your love for the people your ministry serves. Finally, your love for your ministry partner as you help fan their flame to lay up treasures in heaven and take hold of the life that is truly life (1 Tim. 6:19). Focus on how your donor benefits.

Self-discipline
What does self-discipline have to do with fundraising? Brian Tracy author of No Excuses says, “Your ability to discipline yourself, to set clear goals, and then to work toward them every day, will do more to guarantee your success than any other single factor.”  You need self-discipline to keep asking!

Think About This: Fundraising isn’t manipulating your donor to do something they will regret. Fund Raising School Founding Director Hank Rosso defined fundraising as “the gentle art of teaching people the joy of giving.”

Response: Father, please help me “spur (donors) toward love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24) so they experience the joy of generosity.

Close-up of a hand with a finger raised to the lips in a shushing gesture, with the word 'shhh...' written on the finger, next to the words 'Handling Donor Secrets – Isaiah 39:4' on a light background.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Handling Donor Secrets

by Ron Haas
September 17, 2025

The prophet asked, “What did they see in your palace?” “They saw everything in my palace,” Hezekiah said. “There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them” (Isaiah 39:4).

King Hezekiah cried out to the Lord from his death bed and God gave him fifteen more years to live (see Isa. 38:5). News of his miraculous recovery spread throughout the region. Marduk-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent a gift and an “I’m-glad-you’re-feeling-better” card. Hezekiah was so grateful to be alive he welcomed the diplomats with a grand tour of his palace. He opened every closet door and revealed all “the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine olive oil—his entire armory and everything found among his treasures” (Isa. 39:2). When Isaiah heard what Hezekiah had done, he scolded him for giving his enemies the combination to the safe. As a fundraiser, how do you handle personal financial information a ministry partner shares with you?

Trust
An elderly major donor shared with a ministry representative, “My husband established several trusts before he died. My accountant tells me they are worth literally millions of dollars.” The recently widowed can be overwhelmed with all the new financial decisions facing them and need a listening ear. They have placed their trust in you; you must act with their interests in mind. Proceed with care.

Confidentiality
Hezekiah foolishly shared Israel’s national secrets with people who didn’t have his best interests at heart. Don’t walk out of a major donor meeting and tell everyone, “Do you know how much John is worth?” Solomon taught, “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret” (Prov. 11:13). Don’t jeopardize your relationships by disclosing personal information.

Shepherding
You should care for your ministry partners just as a pastor cares for his church members. Peter gave these instructions, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve” (1 Pet. 5:2). Are you watching over, caring for, and serving your donors, or are you looking out for yourself?

Compulsion
Babylon came knocking because they wanted what was behind door number one. Just because you know what a person could give, doesn’t mean they should give that amount. Your responsibility is to ask boldly and let the Holy Spirit work. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion” (2 Cor. 9:7). Fundraisers should never resort to manipulation or arm-twisting.

Contentment
Satan can use your major donor’s personal financial information to tempt you. Covetousness can easily creep into your heart when you compare your life to theirs. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have” (Heb. 13:5). Paul’s remedy for greed is contentment, “but godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6). Focus more on your spiritual walk than your net worth.

Think About This: Knowing inside donor information shouldn’t prevent you from asking. Boldly ask and let your donors prayerfully consider in their hearts what they should give.

Response: Father, please help me put my ministry partners’ interests above ours.

White lettered dice spelling 'YES OR NO' on a bright surface with the text 'Farewell to Fickle Fundraising' and '2 Corinthians 1:15-17' above.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Farewell to Fickle Fundraising

by Ron Haas
September 8, 2025

I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”? (2 Corinthians 1:15-17).

Have you ever been misunderstood? Paul planned to visit Corinth on his way to Macedonia and return to Corinth before traveling to Jerusalem (see 1 Cor. 16:5-9), but his plans changed. The Corinthians were upset Paul didn’t show up and accused him of being fickle. The Cambridge English Dictionary defines fickle as “likely to change your opinion or your feelings suddenly and without a good reason.” Donors can also become disgruntled with us when they perceive we say one thing and do another. Consider these principles to avoid sending mixed messages.

Tell Them What You’re Going to Tell Them.
Paul asked the Corinthians to “send me on my way to Judea.” Earlier, Paul had asked all the churches in Macedonia and Achaia to take up a collection for the believers in Judea (1 Cor. 16:1-4). On this trip he was planning to receive their gifts and take them to Jerusalem. If you intend to ask a donor for a gift, let them know why you are coming. Be forthright and say something like, “I would love to tell you about our project and share a proposal of how you could partner with us financially.”

Tell Them.
The essence of fundraising is asking. Cultivation is a key part of the donor experience, but all your relationship-building efforts must lead to solicitation. If you want them to pray, ask for prayer. If you want their time, ask them to volunteer. If you want a gift, ask for a specific amount. If you are unsure of what amount to ask, ask if they would consider a gift in the range of $10,000, or $100,000, etc. Another strategy is to show them your gift chart and ask, “Would you prayerfully consider making a leadership gift?” You could also ask an open-ended question like, “Where do you see yourself fitting into our campaign?”

Tell Them What You Told Them.
Your donors should know exactly what you asked them to consider. When you suggest a number, you both know what you asked. Your ask might be too high or low, but stating a specific amount starts the conversation. A camp director asked a donor for a $75,000 gift for a capital campaign. The donor responded, “That’s more than I was thinking, but I like what you did. I will remember that number and ask my friends to help me raise that amount.”

Think About This: Paul was not fickle. He said what he meant and meant what he said. Just as we must speak with integrity, we want our donors to give us a clear “Yes or No.” Ask boldly and let God prompt them to give generously.

Response: Lord, help me ask clearly so my donors know exactly how they can partner with us to advance your kingdom.

Silhouette of a person kneeling in prayer at sunset by the ocean, with the words 'James 5:16 P.U.S.H. Fundraising' overlaid on the image.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

P.U.S.H. Fundraising

by Ron Haas
September 4, 2025

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

Elijah prayed and it did not rain for three and a half years. Imagine forty-two months without rain—rivers dwindle to a trickle, lakes evaporate, crops fail, livestock die of thirst, and hope slowly fades. Elijah prayed again and “the heaven gave rain and the earth produced its crops” (James 5:18).  It wasn’t a quick “bless the missionaries” prayer. Seven times he prayed and asked his servant to look to the sky for answers. Six times the servant saw nothing, but the seventh time he saw “a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea” (1 Kings 18:44). God opened the windows of heaven because of Elijah’s persistent prayer.

Are you experiencing a budget drought? You need P.U.S.H. Fundraising—Pray Until Something Happens. Often, we stop praying after one or two anemic prayers, but God answers when we persevere. Sure, you pray to meet your budget, but do you pray for the individuals who can help you meet your budget? If you only know your donors by their I.D. numbers, you can only pray in generalities. But if you know your donors intimately, you can pray with understanding. Paul prayed these requests for the Colossian believers (see Col. 1:9-10).

Know God’s will. “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (v. 9).
Knowing and doing God’s will is top of mind for every believer who wants to wholeheartedly serve the Lord. Your ministry partners need knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to make good stewardship decisions.

Live worthy. “Live a life worthy of the Lord” (v.10).
To walk worthy means our actions match our words. Sincere believers don’t say one thing and do another. Wealth comes with many temptations. Unfortunately, many “have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Tim. 6:10). Pray for your ministry partners to live their faith, not merely profess it.

Please God. “Please him in every way” (v. 10).
In the last days, people will be “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Tim. 3:4). Pray your donors will not be swayed by “the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things” (Mark 4:19). Your donors need wisdom to please the Lord in their money management, especially their giving.

Bear fruit. “Bearing fruit in every good work” (v. 10).
Jesus taught, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Pray your ministry partners will remain in Christ and bear fruit that lasts. Hudson Taylor said, “The Lord’s work done in the Lord’s way will never fail to have the Lord’s provision.” In response Francis Shaefer observed, “The Lord’s work done in human energy is not the Lord’s work any longer. It is something, but it is not the Lord’s work.”

Think About This: If God answered all your prayers, would it change the world and your ministry partners, or just your budget?

Response: Father, please help me pray specifically for our donors to seek your will and bear much fruit through their generosity.

Image of a golden sunset with rays of sunlight streaming through clouds, overlaid with the text Fundraising Angels? Exodus 23:20.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Fundraising Angels?

by Ron Haas
August 28, 2025

“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared” (Exodus 23:20).

As Moses embarked on his journey to the Promised Land, the Lord sent his angel to ensure they arrived safely at their destination. God was very intentional about Israel’s steps forward and he’s also concerned about your next ministry steps. It’s important to have a clear vision, a sound strategic plan, and strong follow through, but how do you know you’re headed in the right direction? God sends his angels to guide you to where he wants you to go.

Send
God’s billions of angels stand ready to serve him (Psa. 103:20). One of their assignments is to serve the redeemed, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14). The Lord sent an angel ahead of Israel to keep them on the right path. If his angel guided Israel corporately, you can be assured his angels are actively involved in your mission. He will lead you to the right ministry partners and prepare them to give generously.

Guard
You are in a spiritual battle with many adversaries. Praise the Lord, he didn’t leave you to fend for yourself. His unseen soldiers are protecting you from spiritual attacks. Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den for his obedience, but God sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions (Dan. 6:22). God has an eternal purpose for every trial your ministry faces. You might feel surrounded by enemies, but God can silence their voices.

Bring
King Herod threw Peter into prison for preaching the Good News. So, the Lord dispatched an angel to plan a divine jailbreak (see Acts 12). He woke Peter, removed his chains, led him past the guards, and opened the iron gate. The church was fasting and praying but was shocked when Peter showed up at the door. This miraculous rescue emphasizes the important role prayer plays in your success and how angels deliver answered prayers. You must recruit a team of supporters who will faithfully pray for you.

Prepare
God successfully brought Israel to the Promised Land and has an important role for your ministry to fulfill in his kingdom. He has people for you to serve, and donors prepared to partner with you. One of our greatest enemies is discouragement. Elijah experienced burnout from his spiritual battles with the prophets of Baal. He ran away from Jezebel one hundred and fifty miles and fell totally exhausted beneath the broom tree (see 1 Kings 19:1-7). An angel came and ministered to him with food, water, and sleep. Ministry, especially fundraising, can be discouraging. Are you spiritually exhausted? God can strengthen you when you’re too tired to keep going.

Think About This: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Heb. 13:2). Everyone wants a fundraising angel to appear out of nowhere with an incredible gift. Occasionally, God provides miraculous gifts. Love the strangers in your world, one might be an angel.

Response: Lord, thank you for sending your angels to strengthen our team and help us accomplish your goals.

Image of six copper pans hanging neatly on wooden pegs against a white wall, with text overlay reading “Firm Peg Donors Isaiah 22:23-24.”
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Firm Peg Donors

by Ron Haas
August 18, 2025

“I will drive him like a peg into a firm place; he will become a seat of honor for the house of his father. All the glory of his family will hang on him: its offspring and offshoots—all its lesser vessels, from the bowls to all the jars” (Isaiah 22:23-24).

Eliakim son of Hilkiah was a servant of King Hezekiah whom the Lord promoted to the throne. Isaiah described Eliakim as a peg driven into a firm place. Householders hung their kitchen utensils on pegs in the wall. Something on its peg was in its proper place ready to be used. This unusual image illustrates the importance of preparing major donors who are firmly in place to support your ministry.

Open/Shut
Isaiah gave Eliakim the keys of David meaning “what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open” (Isa. 22:22). John used the same description for Jesus Christ (Rev. 3:8). When the Lord opens a door for your ministry, no one can shut it—yet many will try to stand in your way (1 Cor. 16:9). Major donors can help you unlock opportunities that others can’t. Share your passions for what you believe God is prompting you to solve. Help them see how they can lay up treasures in heaven by partnering with you.

Hang On
Firm pegs illustrate security. Eliakim was a strong leader on which Israel could rely. Having trusted major donors by your side gives you confidence to tackle new opportunities. If your key supporters endorse your direction, then you will succeed. Who will stand with you to open your next ministry door? Identify those major donors in a feasibility study as you consider a capital campaign.

Large/Small
Everything was held by a peg—from the large pans and pots to the small bowls and cups. Don’t think that just because you’re not a big ministry major donors won’t be interested in what you do. Major donors have room for more than one ministry on their giving list. Giving is based on relationships. Concentrate on identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major donors already in your constituency.

Go Away
Eliakim was a “peg in a firm place” for a season. Eventually, he was broken off when Judah was finally sent into captivity (Isa. 22:25). Sometimes, when a major donor adopts a ministry, the ministry relies too heavily on that single donor. After more than ten years of giving $600,000 annually to a Christian school, a major donor decided to shift his giving priorities to other interests forcing the school to scramble to make up the lost revenue. Find more than one firm peg to hang onto.

Think About This: Robert Pierpont, from the Fund Raising School at the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, observes that in a capital campaign the ten largest gifts set the pace for success. If you don’t secure key leadership gifts, you can’t find enough small gifts to fill the gap. Pierpont remarked, “Once the big-gift-first sequence has been seriously violated, the entire program is in jeopardy.1” Focus your efforts on finding firm peg donors and hang your capital campaign on them.

Response: Father, please bring us key supporters who will partner with us to fulfill your mission.

1Pierpont, R. (2002). Capital Campaigns. Retrieved from The Fundraising School: http://www.philanthropy.iupui.edu/files/course_resources/capital_campaigns_pierpont.pdf

A sharpened axe embedded in a tree stump outdoors, with blurred trees and greenery in the background, accompanied by the words “Sharper Fundraising” and “Ecclesiastes 10:10” in bold white text on the right side.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Sharper Fundraising

by Ron Haas
August 12, 2025

“If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success” (Ecclesiastes 10:10).

Abraham Lincoln said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.” Solomon and Abe understood the value of sharp tools. If your ax is dull, it takes much more time and energy to accomplish your task. This principle applies directly to fundraising. You can work hard but success comes to those who have sharpened their skills. Here are five ways to hone your fundraising edge.

Learn on the Job
God called Isaiah to become a prophet, “Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword” (Isa. 49:1-2). Isaiah didn’t go to prophet’s school, God put his words in Isaiah’s mouth. If God has called you to fundraising, he will teach you what to say and how to say it (see Matt. 10:19-20).

Read a Book
Libraries are filled with great fundraising books and articles. Immerse yourself in Scripture so you can encourage donors, “to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share” (1 Tim. 6:18). Henry Nouwen’s classic, The Spirituality of Fundraising, will help you see asking and giving as acts of faith with eternal value.

Take a Class
There are many educational degrees, certificates, and informal workshops available for fundraising. One option to consider is the Certified Christian Nonprofit Leader (CCNL) program from Christian Leadership Alliance. The training covers all aspects of leadership with a third of the required courses focused on fundraising.

Find a Friend
Fundraising is a high pressure job. Praise the Lord if you have a supportive board who actively participates in your fundraising efforts. If you feel alone, you need a fundraising friend with whom you can pray, share ideas, and encourage one another. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another,” (Prov. 27:17). Find a mentor and learn from their fundraising success.

Hire Help
Solomon didn’t have the skilled workers he needed to build the Temple, so he turned to Hiram for help. “So give orders that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. My men will work with yours, and I will pay you for your men whatever wages you set. You know that we have no one so skilled in felling timber as the Sidonians.” (1 Kings 5:6). Solomon was wise to seek help in areas where he had no experience. Cutting down trees takes wisdom, skill, and insights that only come from experience. If you’ve never asked for money, hire an expert who can show you how to ask. It’s money well spent that will yield lasting results.

Think About This: Asking is a skill you learn by doing. Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. Sharpen your message by rehearsing your presentation with a friend or in a small group.

Response: Lord, please sharpen my fundraising skills. Make me “useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work” (2 Tim. 2:21).

A man in a suit pointing directly at the camera with a serious expression, set against a soft beige background; bold text on the right reads “SAY YOU, NOT ME! 2 Thessalonians 1:11.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Say You, Not Me!

by Ron Haas
August 6, 2025

“We constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

Thessalonica was a short, but productive stop on Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-8). The unbelieving Jews were so jealous of the gospel’s success, they ran Paul and Silas out of town. Though he left abruptly, he kept thinking about and praying for these friends and sent Timothy back to check on them (1 Thess. 3:1-2). We can learn much about our donor relationships from Paul’s relationship with the Thessalonians.

Donor-Focused
We can hear Paul’s heart for these believers in the language he used. In 2 Thessalonians 1, he emphasized “you” and “your” seventeen times to express his love. He thanked God for them (vs. 3), boasted about their faith (vs. 4), gave them hope in God’s justice (vs. 5-10), and “constantly prayed for them” (vs. 11). Paul’s writing style should prompt us to incorporate more “you” phrases in our writing and conversations. Consider these phrases, “Your help is needed now more than ever,” or “You can fan the flames of revival,” or “We know you want to make a difference,” or “Your gift will last beyond your lifetime.” As you design marketing materials, focus on your donor—not you.

God-Focused
The Thessalonian believers were suffering under great persecution. Twice Paul asked God to make them “worthy of his calling” (vs. 5, 11). What an incredible encouragement it must have been to know that the Apostle Paul was constantly praying for them. Your donors are also experiencing trials of many kinds and you have the privilege of praying for them. Point them to the cross. Pray that God will bring relief and glorify himself (vs. 6, 12).

Donor Success
Paul prayed for God’s favor for his friends. Your donors desire to be good stewards of the resources God has given them. Paul prayed that their every good desire and every deed prompted by faith would become a reality. Know your donors well enough so you can pray effectively for their concerns. Pray for their businesses to thrive, their investments to yield amazing returns, and God’s blessing for a bountiful harvest. As they succeed, they will have more capacity to be generous.

Your Success
When Paul collected money for the poor in Jerusalem, he was reluctant to ask the Thessalonians because they were experiencing extreme persecution and poverty (2 Cor. 8:2). They surprised him and insisted that he receive their gifts so they could join him in serving others (2 Cor. 8:1-4). Generosity is not connected to a person’s net worth, but their heart. Cheerful givers want to make an eternal difference with their gifts (2 Cor. 9:7).

Think About This: Henry Blackaby wrote in Experiencing God, “Find out where God is at work and join him there.” When your donors see God working in your ministry, they will want to join you. Invite them to give, even if they are going through tough times.

Response: Lord, please teach me how to use more “you” language in our materials. May our donors experience the joy of giving through our ministry.

Blurry motion image of a red tram passing by pedestrians in an urban setting, with trees and a white building in the background; overlaid text reads “Luke 16:3 Ashamed to Beg.”
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Ashamed to Beg

by Ron Haas
July 21, 2025

“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg” (Luke 16:3).

The shrewd manager in Jesus’s parable had mismanaged his master’s resources and was about to lose his job. He devised a cunning plan to offer discounts to his master’s creditors so they would owe him a favor when he was unemployed. His excuse for his scheme was simple—he wasn’t strong enough to dig ditches and he was ashamed to beg. Many nonprofit leaders can rattle off their reasons for not fundraising, “I’m too busy with other responsibilities,” “It’s not my job,” or “I’m not gifted with a fundraising personality.” Perhaps the real reason is, “I feel like fundraising is begging and I’m ashamed to beg.” Fundraising isn’t begging; it’s a higher calling. Jesus taught, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9).

Worldly Wealth
John Wesley’s simple money lesson was “Make all you can, save all you can, and give all you can.” As a fundraiser, you can influence believers to make good stewardship decisions. Your donors are in various stages of their Christian walk. Some understand their responsibility to wisely manage God’s resources. Unfortunately, others struggle with “the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things” (Mark 4:19). Having money is not a sin, using it selfishly is.

Gain Friends
What does it mean to “use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourself” (Luke 16:9)? Whom are these friends? Jesus explained in Matthew 25:35-36, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” You must introduce the least of these brothers and sisters to your donors.

Eternal Dwellings
What joy to hear the Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matt. 25:21). Imagine all the people in heaven who will thank your donors because of their generosity—those who were given something to eat and drink, had shelter and clothes, were cared for when they were sick, and were encouraged when they were in prison. You can help your donors experience this future blessing by asking them to participate in your mission now.

Love Money
“You cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13). God knows every heart; what he values and what we value can be two different things (Luke 16:15). Asking for a gift prompts your ministry partners to assess their priorities. Are they serving God or money? If they don’t give, it might be because it’s not the right project, the right amount, the right timing, or perhaps the Spirit is directing their gift to another ministry.

Think About This: Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel (Rom. 1:16). We should not be ashamed to ask our ministry partners to help advance the Gospel through their generous gifts.

Response: Father, help me challenge our donors to value what you value.

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