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A gold trophy on a wooden surface against an orange background, with the text “Run for the Fundraising Prize” and “1 Corinthians 9:24” displayed beside it.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Run for the Fundraising Prize

by Ron Haas
March 18, 2026

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24).

Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is a perfect picture of what Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. With three Olympic golds and six world records in the 400-meter hurdles, she’s one of the most celebrated track stars in American history. But here’s what makes her story relevant to fundraisers: “You work all year to get here, but what you’ve done is what keeps you here. So it’s just about executing that, trusting the process, trusting the plan, and ultimately, trusting God.”1 That’s fundraising in a nutshell.

Executing the Work
Paul writes that “everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training” (1 Cor. 9:25). Sydney doesn’t just show up on race day hoping for the best. She trains every single day, year after year. The same is true in fundraising. Everyone wants the big gift, but few are willing to put in the hard work of building relationships with donors over time. There are no shortcuts to genuine cultivation. It takes discipline, consistency, and plain old hard work.

Trusting the Process
Paul continues, “I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air” (1 Cor. 9:26). Fundraising isn’t random—it has a clear process: identification, cultivation, and solicitation. You can’t skip steps. You can’t identify a donor on Monday and ask for a major gift on Tuesday. Just like an athlete can’t skip training and expect to medal, you can’t rush the relationship-building process and expect donors to give generously. Each step matters and builds on the one before it.

Trusting the Plan
Consistency is everything. Day in and day out, you need to be sharing your organization’s story, connecting with donors, and keeping your mission front and center. One good conversation isn’t enough. One compelling newsletter isn’t enough. It’s the steady, faithful work over months and years that builds a sustainable fundraising program.

Trusting God
Here’s the truth that keeps us humble: fundraising is about asking the right person for the right amount at the right time in the right way. You can do everything correctly—execute flawlessly, follow the process perfectly, stick to your plan faithfully—but ultimately, God is the one who prompts donors to give generously. We work hard, but we trust God for the results.

Think About This: Athletes compete “to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Cor. 9:25). The gifts you ask your donors for solve problems right now and lay up treasures in heaven.

Response: Lord, give me the discipline, consistency, and hard work to run the fundraising race to win the prize for your glory.

1Mercer, K. (2024, August 8). Christ-follower Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone claims another Olympic gold, world record. Sports Spectrum. https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/olympics/2024/08/08/christ-sydney-mclaughlin-levrone-gold-record/

A single boat moving across a wide expanse of deep blue water viewed from above, with the text “Lonely Fundraising” and “1 Kings 19:14” displayed over the image.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Lonely Fundraising

by Ron Haas
March 9, 2026

“I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty… I am the only one left and they are trying to kill me” (1 Kings 19:14).

Elijah had just pulled off an incredible win against the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. He called down fire from heaven that consumed the offering, the altar, and even all the water they’d poured on it. Queen Jezebel was furious and threatened to kill him. Terrified, Elijah ran for his life as fast as he could 150 miles to Beersheba. Eventually he reached the mountain of God, where he poured out his heart to the Lord: “I’m all alone. Nobody’s helping me.” Sound familiar? Have you ever complained that nobody is helping you raise money?

The Ups and Downs
Elijah was not a superhuman somehow protected from fear or discouragement. James reminds us that he was just a human being like us. If you’ve been fundraising for any length of time, you know the emotional swings. A successful event leaves you pumped, but by Monday you crash hard. When a donor says yes, you’re on cloud nine for weeks. But when they say no, you start wondering if God really called you to this work. Ask God for the strength to navigate this emotional roller coaster.

Take a Nap
Elijah’s ultra marathon was so exhausting physically, emotionally, and spiritually that he collapsed in deep sleep. An angel woke him with the smell of freshly baked bread. He ate it, slept some more, and awoke the second time with the energy to keep going. This is a great lesson for fundraising workaholics who push themselves from morning to night, and even through weekends. Get some rest. Take a day off. Jesus told his disciples, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31). Take time to come apart before you fall apart.

Gain Perspective
Helen Keller said, “Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world.” Elijah complained that he felt all alone. But God reassured him there were still 7,000 people who hadn’t bowed to Baal. You might think you’re the only one who cares about your ministry, but you’re wrong. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of people who care about the people you serve. You just need to find them.

Find a Partner
God gave Elijah a practical solution: his new partner, Elisha. You need a fundraising friend. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9). Ask God for a colleague who can work alongside you. Maybe you need to hire staff, find a volunteer, or recruit a board member who’ll help you connect with donors.

Think About This: If even a prophet got discouraged, none of us are immune. Elijah was also powerful in prayer—and you can be too. When you’re down, spend some intense time in prayer. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10).

Response: Lord, forgive me for thinking I’m in this alone. Please bring me a fundraising partner who can help carry this load with me.

Two open hands lifted upward in a gesture of offering or prayer against a warm, softly blurred outdoor background, with the text “Urgent Generosity” and 2 Corinthians 8:4 displayed on the left side.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Urgent Generosity

by Ron Haas
March 2, 2026

“They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people” (2 Corinthians 8:4).

The believers in Macedonia are a stunning example of generous giving. Paul was collecting funds to support the Jerusalem church, which was struggling with persecution and poverty. When the Macedonians learned about the situation, they begged Paul to let them give. Think about that. These people were broke and going through their own crisis, yet they pleaded for the chance to help someone else.

Paul was stunned by their response (see 2 Corinthians 8:5). What made them so eager? They saw a real need connected to real people at a specific moment. That combination creates urgent generosity. Here’s how to inspire the same response in your donors.

Shouting “Fire”
If you don’t have a fire, don’t yell fire. Artificial urgency trains donors to ignore you. “We need your gift right now” without context is just noise. And desperation messaging backfires. Donors who care will worry. Donors who don’t will leave. If you face a genuine crisis, say so. But choose carefully. You get one, maybe two, emergency appeals before people stop believing you.

Tell the Story Behind the Need
The Macedonians didn’t give to a budget line. They gave to people in Jerusalem who were hungry. Your donors need the same clarity. “Your gift this week means Maria gets her textbooks before midterms” creates urgency because donors see the consequence of delay. Generic deadlines don’t move people. Specific outcomes do. When you connect the timing to a person or result, urgency stops being about your cash flow and starts being about the people you serve.

Create Natural Milestones
Match your deadlines to events that already matter. “Give before summer camp starts so we can cover scholarships for kids already registered” makes sense because the date matters to the mission, not just your budget. The Macedonians understood why their timing mattered. Paul was leaving soon. The Jerusalem church needed help now. Your donors respond when they understand why the calendar matters to the people you serve.

Use Positive Language
Frame urgency as opportunity, not crisis. “Your gift this month doubles through our matching grant” or “Would you give a lead gift we can announce at the banquet to inspire others?” invites participation instead of demanding rescue. The Macedonians saw giving as a privilege. They wanted in on something significant. Give your donors that same sense of opportunity.

The Opposite of Urgency
The opposite of urgency isn’t calm. It’s complacency. If your team isn’t fired up about the work, your donors won’t be either. Sometimes the problem isn’t your messaging. It’s that you’ve lost touch with why this work matters right now. Get out of the office. Visit the people your ministry serves. Reconnect with the mission. When Paul shared what was happening in Jerusalem, the Macedonians caught his urgency because they saw his passion.

Think About This: Your passion for the mission sets the tone for donor response. If you’re going through the motions, they will too.

Response: Lord, forgive me when I forget why this work matters. Fill me with genuine passion for the people we serve, so my excitement becomes contagious to the donors you’ve entrusted to us.

Person balancing on a highline stretched across a rocky mountain peak at sunrise, symbolizing courage and risk, with the text Bold Fundraising and a scripture reference displayed on the image.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Bold Fundraising

by Ron Haas
February 23, 2026

“With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said” (2 Chronicles 32:8).

Hezekiah’s words transformed lambs into lions. Something similar happened at a recent campaign planning meeting with a pretty significant goal. Everyone walked in wondering if we’d completely lost our minds. Could we actually raise this kind of money?

Then Bill showed up and everything changed. When people introduced themselves, most gave a quick “Hi, I’m so-and-so.” Bill took five minutes telling us about his business wins and dropping names of all the big shots he knew personally. At first, it felt a little much. But the longer he talked, the more we realized this guy wasn’t just talk. He actually did know several major donors on a first-name basis. His “we’ve got this” energy was infectious. Suddenly everyone’s “Can we?” turned into “How will we!”

Start with Confidence in the Lord
Bill radiated confidence, but you could also hear his faith underneath it all. He genuinely believed God had prepared him for exactly this moment. Here’s the question: Do you have a positive mindset about fundraising? If you’re just running on your own steam, you’ll burn out fast. But when you draw strength from God, you can accomplish amazing things you never thought possible. “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights” (Habakkuk 3:19).

Then Confidence in Your Mission
Your boldness in asking for money grows directly from how much you believe in what you’re doing. Do you really believe in your cause? Do you understand how important this work is? A good salesperson can sell anything to anyone, but a truly great fundraiser must believe deep down what they’re offering genuinely meets people’s needs. You’ve got to be all in on the fact your campaign will make an eternal difference.

Next: Believe in Your Leadership
Bill joined our campaign because he knew the executive director personally and completely trusted his leadership. The Israelites faced a vast army and were scared out of their minds about their situation. How vast is your campaign? The Israelites trusted King Hezekiah because he trusted God. Does your leadership inspire confidence or raise doubts about whether or not God’s got this?

Finally: Don’t Underestimate your Network
Bill dropped names, but he also showed everyone a text he received that morning from the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Most people won’t volunteer for a campaign team because they think, “I don’t know anybody.” Maybe that feels true. Most of us aren’t hanging out with billionaires at country clubs. But Bill’s enthusiasm got everyone in that room thinking differently. People started remembering, “Wait, I do know someone who…”

Think About This: Your mindset will make or break your fundraising. Henry Ford said it perfectly: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” What do people pick up from your attitude about fundraising?

Prayer: Father, help me trust you for how this campaign turns out. Lead us to the right team members and the right donors.

Man in a suit walking forward with a flowing red superhero cape against a dark, dramatic background, with the text Making Your Donor The Hero and a scripture reference displayed on the left.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Make Your Donor The Hero

by Ron Haas
February 16, 2026

“The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get’” (Luke 18:11-12).

The contrast between the Pharisee’s prayer and the tax collector’s is stark. The tax collector could only pray, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13). The Pharisee’s prayer was all about him: all the bad things he didn’t do and all the great things he did. He almost broke his arm patting himself on the back. Unfortunately, many nonprofits make the same mistake. Their emails and letters focus on their accomplishments instead of humbly expressing thanks to their donors who give generously to fuel their mission.

Positioning your donors as the hero (rather than your organization) is powerful because it emphasizes their partnership and impact. Here are some suggestions:

Stewardship & Kingdom Work
Peter reminds us we are stewards. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10). Try phrases like: “God is using your generosity to…” “Through your faithful giving…” “You’re stewarding God’s resources to…” “Your kingdom investment is…” “You’re being the hands and feet of Christ when you…”

Biblical Partnership Language
Paul considered the Philippian believers to be partners. “I thank my God every time I remember you… because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3,5). Here are some ways to begin your sentences: “You’re partnering with us in God’s mission to…” “Together in Christ, we…” “You’re joining God’s work of…” “As you sow into this ministry…” “Your obedience to God’s call is…”

Impact Rooted in Faith
Jesus reminded us of our ultimate motivation: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Express your heart like this: “Your gift allowed us to share Christ’s love by…” “You brought hope in Jesus’ name to…” “You’re answering God’s call to care for the least of these…” “Your sacrifice is reflecting the heart of the Gospel…” “You’re living out Matthew 25 when you…”

Blessing & Calling Language
Solomon taught, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25). Share these thoughts: “God is multiplying your seed to…” “You’re blessed to be a blessing…” “You’re responding to God’s calling by…” “Your faithfulness is bearing fruit in…”

Direct Attribution
James reminds us about true worship. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27). Use these phrases: “Your $50 provided meals and shared the Gospel with…” “You gave a widow dignity and demonstrated Christ’s compassion.” “You sent a child to Christian school where they’ll hear about Jesus.”

Think About This: Frame giving as faithful response to God and participation in His work, not just charity. Donors are heroes because they’re being obedient and allowing God to work through them.

Response: Lord, forgive us for taking the credit for what you are doing through the generosity of our ministry partners.

Wide banner image of a sunlit vineyard with rows of grapevines heavy with dark purple grapes, green leaves filling the foreground, and the text “A Fundraising Pruning Guide” and “John 15:1–2” overlaid on the image.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

A Fundraising Pruning Guide

by Ron Haas
February 9, 2026

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 15:1-2).

Pruning your apple tree makes everything better. More air and sunlight get into the tree, which means the apples end up sweeter, prettier, and actually ripen properly instead of staying small and sour. It’s like the tree gets to focus its energy on making fewer but way better apples. Jesus used this same principle when talking about spiritual growth, and it applies perfectly to fundraising. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your organization is not to add more programs or events, it’s to cut away what’s not working.

When Events Become Energy Drains
That annual silent auction your board started five years ago? The one that now requires six months of planning, exhausts your volunteers, and barely breaks even after expenses? It might be time for some pruning. Just because something worked once doesn’t mean it deserves to live forever. Good fundraising events should energize your mission, not drain it. If an event isn’t pulling its weight financially or building meaningful relationships with donors, it’s stealing resources from activities that could actually bear fruit.

The SYBUNT Problem
Every nonprofit has donors who gave “Some Year But Unfortunately Not This Year.” They clutter your database like dead branches on a tree, and you keep sending them expensive mailings hoping they’ll give again. But here’s the tough truth: if someone hasn’t given in three years, they’re probably not coming back through your regular appeals. Instead of letting these dormant donors drain your mailing budget, try one targeted re-engagement campaign. If that doesn’t work, move them to an inactive list. Your active donors deserve your full attention and resources.

Pruning Your Team
Not every development staff member is going to thrive in fundraising. You can measure activity all day long: phone calls made, emails sent, events attended, but at the end of the year, the question is simple: did they raise money? Great fundraisers don’t just maintain existing donors; they bring in new ones. If someone consistently struggles to build relationships and secure gifts, they might be better suited for a different role. It’s not mean – it’s honest stewardship.

Your Most Precious Resource: Time
As a leader, your calendar is like a garden plot. Every plant competes for the same limited space. That weekly report that takes three hours to compile? The committee meeting that goes in circles? The administrative tasks that keep you from actually talking to donors? Prune ruthlessly. Your highest and best use of time is identifying, cultivating, and asking major donors. Everything else should be delegated, streamlined, or eliminated.

Think About This: Remember, pruning isn’t punishment – it’s preparation for growth. When you cut away what’s not working, you create space for what could flourish. Your remaining programs become stronger. Your staff becomes more focused. Your donors receive better attention. Sometimes the most loving thing a gardener can do is make the hard cuts that allow for new growth.

Response: Lord, please give me wisdom to prune everything (and everyone) that’s not working to make us more effective.

Pile of U.S. dollar bills forming a mound under the headline “When the World Offers Easy Money,” set against a dark background, symbolizing temptation and financial allure.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

When the World Offers Easy Money

by Ron Haas
February 2, 2026

“Do not listen to Hezekiah. This is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me and come out to me” (2 Kings 18:31).

King Hezekiah was in big trouble. Sennacherib had bulldozed through 46 cities of Judah and surrounded Jerusalem. He boasted, “As for him (Hezekiah), I confined him inside the city Jerusalem, his royal city, like a bird in a cage. I set up blockades against him and made him dread exiting his city gate.”1 Sennacherib’s envoys stood before Jerusalem’s walls to negotiate Israel’s surrender. Their five tempting arguments still speak to ministry leaders considering debt to solve their financial problems.

Your Friends Won’t Help You
“Egypt is a splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it” (2 Kings 18:21). Sennacherib dismissed Egypt as unreliable. We’re afraid our donors won’t be there when we need their support. Sometimes the “unreliable allies” excuse masks our own reluctance to make the ask.

We Have What You Need
“Come now, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses” (2 Kings 18:23). Sennacherib offered immediate resources to solve immediate problems. Today’s equivalent might be bridge loans, lines of credit, or bond financing promising quick solutions to your cash flow challenges. Consider all your options carefully before “making a bargain” with your lending master.

God Told Me
Note Sennacherib’s arrogance, “The Lord himself told me to march against this country and destroy it” (2 Kings 18:25). Perhaps you have a well-meaning advisor suggesting, “God brought us this great deal.” One Christian institution seriously considered bond funding which would have restricted spiritual programming to only 40% of their new facility. Somehow, that doesn’t seem like an answer to prayer.

Take the Easy Way Out
“Then each of you will eat fruit from your own vine and fig tree and drink water from your own cistern, until I come and take you to a land like your own” (2 Kings 18:31-32). Sennacherib’s offer sounded appealing: maintain your lifestyle, avoid the struggle, accept our terms. Borrowed money can build buildings and fund programs, but it often comes with hidden costs, not just financial, but organizational and spiritual.

Everybody Else is Doing It
“Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria?” (2 Kings 19:12). Sennacherib argued that every other kingdom had fallen to his superior resources. Ministry leaders often hear “all successful organizations leverage debt” or that fundraising simply “isn’t realistic” in today’s economy. Financing isn’t necessarily wrong, but it may not be God’s intended path for your organization’s current challenge.

Think About This: Hezekiah took Sennacherib’s letter and “went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord” (2 Kings 19:14). “That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp.” (2 Kings 19:35). The same God who delivered Jerusalem from overwhelming odds can provide for your ministry’s needs.

Response: Lord, give us wisdom to discern between human solutions and divine provision. Help us trust you to meet our financial needs according to your perfect timing and methods.

Resource: 1Inscription on Sennacherib’s Prism is housed at the Oriental Institute Museum, University of Chicago

Honeycomb pattern with bees on a light background and the text “Honest Fundraising” centered, conveying transparency, integrity, and trust in fundraising efforts.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Honest Fundraising

by Ron Haas
January 26, 2026

“Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative… Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it” (2 Corinthians 8:17, 24).

Have you ever avoided telling a donor you’re coming to ask for money when you set up a meeting? Paul didn’t beat around the bush. He told the Corinthians straight up Titus was coming to collect the money they had promised to give. Whether you’re setting up a meeting to ask for a donation or following up on a pledge, tell your donor exactly why you want to meet. Honesty gets great results:

Builds Respect and Trust
When you’re upfront about what you want, you’re treating people like smart adults who can make their own choices. Honesty becomes your strongest tool—one sneaky conversation can mess up relationships for years, but being straight with people builds trust that lasts. Be clear right from your first phone call: “I’d love to meet with you to share what we’re doing and see if you might want to help support us.”

Lets People Get Ready
When donors know why you’re coming, they can think of good questions, figure out what they might be able to give, and maybe bring their spouse or financial advisor into the conversation. This shows you respect their time and see them as partners, not just people with money. Being clear about what you want keeps the relationship strong no matter what they decide about giving.

Creates Real Partnership
Giving benefits the ministry and the donor. Think long-term friendship, not a one-time deal. You’re not just asking for money—you’re giving people a chance to be part of something eternal while helping them reach their giving goals. Focus on what’s important to them: what they care about, what interests them, and their desire to make a difference. This changes how you think about conversations from “I need something from you” to “I’ve got something exciting to share with you.”

Gets Rid of Stress and Works Better
Being honest makes fundraising way less stressful for everyone. You don’t have to worry about finding the “perfect moment” to bring up money. Donors like knowing what to expect, which means they don’t have their guard up and you can have more natural, helpful conversations. This honest approach often leads to bigger gifts because people feel respected and informed instead of tricked. People are more likely to say yes when they’ve had time to think about your request; even when they can’t give, they appreciate the approach.

Think About This: One fundraiser schedules meetings this way: “The best part of my job is meeting with people who care about what we’re doing. I’d love to share the exciting things God is doing through our work and ask if you’d like to join us through prayer and giving. When would be a good time to get together?” This honest, excited approach sets the right tone from the beginning.

Response: Father, help me always be honest when I talk to people about our work. Give me wisdom as I invite people to pray and give generously.

Two silhouetted figures standing side by side against a muted, abstract background with the title Mission-Fit Donors displayed on the image on the other side of the image 3 John 9,12.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Mission-Fit Donors

by Ron Haas
January 19, 2026

“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us” (3 John 9). “Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone” (3 John 12).

The contrast between Diotrephes and Demetrius in 3 John provides a striking illustration of the difference between toxic and healthy donors. Understanding these patterns can help you avoid destructive donor relationships and focus your efforts on mission-aligned supporters.

Diotrephes – The Toxic Donor
Imagine someone rejecting the Apostle John—”the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:7), the same John who penned “God is love” (1 John 4:16). Incredibly, some people didn’t love John, and unfortunately some people don’t love your ministry. Diotrephes-type donors are self-focused, demand excessive recognition, micromanage organizations, or withdraw support when they don’t get their way. Watch for these warning signs:

Closed doors: Diotrephes pulled back the welcome mat for John. Donors who are not mission-aligned usually aren’t looking for opportunities to “be generous on every occasion” (2 Cor. 9:11). You can knock on their door all day, but they won’t answer.

Divisive influence: Diotrephes spread “malicious nonsense” about John. Occasionally, donors who oppose you will “falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (Matt. 5:11). Ask God to silence them (see Psalm 31:18).

Self-serving gatekeeping: Diotrephes didn’t just refuse to support traveling missionaries—he actively prevented others from giving or helping. Some donors may work against you to keep you from sharing your message with others (see 2 Thess. 2:16).

Consider Eric, a successful “Christian” real estate developer who gave to a secular university that named a building after him. When a Christian college president attempted to cultivate a relationship with him, Eric questioned whether a college of 2,000 students was worth his attention compared to a university of 40,000. He failed to see the eternal value of Christian higher education. After investing considerable time in cultivation, the president wisely redirected his efforts toward donors who were genuinely mission-aligned.

Demetrius – The Healthy Donor
Thankfully, Diotrephes wasn’t the only voice in the church. Demetrius had a sterling reputation—he was “well spoken of by everyone” and “by the truth itself (3 John 12).” His alignment with John was clear. Everyone recognized his integrity. Healthy donors don’t listen to criticism from others. They understand your commitment to truth and stand with you.

Paul and Linda participated in a feasibility study for a small classical Christian school. When asked what range of gift they might consider, they joyfully responded, “This school has made a tremendous impact in our children’s lives and we plan to give $1 million!” They are a perfect example of “the millionaire next door” – humble, gracious, and ready to make an eternal difference.

Think About This: You can’t say the right thing to the wrong person, or the wrong thing to the right person. Toxic donors will never give up on their agendas, while healthy donors will never give up on you. Rather than trying to appease donors with self-serving motivations, invest your time and energy in relationships with those who genuinely share your mission and values.

Response: Lord, please grant me discernment to navigate challenging donor relationships. Help me cultivate mission-aligned supporters who will truly partner with our ministry for your kingdom’s sake.

quotation marks Nighttime city skyline with glowing lights stretching across the horizon, overlaid with the text Worried About Many Fundraising Things and a scripture reference, conveying busyness and overwhelm in fundraising.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Worried About Many Fundraising Things

by Ron Haas
January 12, 2026

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,  but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

Martha had a servant’s heart and wanted everything to be perfect for Jesus. No doubt her meal was a lovely Jewish feast with a fish course, soup, a main course of meat or poultry, followed by dessert. Naturally, there were more tasks to complete than time to do them. Luke records, “Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” (vs. 40).  So, Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her prepare. Jesus gently rebuked her and reminded her to focus on what mattered most—cultivating a relationship with him.

Fundraisers also face the distraction of many competing priorities. Each task seems important, but you must prioritize among many good things to focus on the most important—cultivating relationships with your key donors.

Many things
What are your “many fundraising things”? Fundraisers live in an intense, fast-paced environment juggling multiple tasks simultaneously—coordinating volunteers, managing donor communications, overseeing events, and tracking financial goals. The constant pressure to meet deadlines, respond to donor inquiries, and adapt to unexpected challenges creates a whirlwind of activity that demands your every waking moment.

Few Things
Martha was worried and upset about many things, but Jesus said only a few things were needed. It’s easy to fall into the fundraising trap of “just one more event.” Before agreeing to the next ice bucket challenge, ask yourself: Does this event deepen my relationships with donors, or is it simply another activity without fundraising focus or return on investment? It’s much better to do a few things well than many things haphazardly. More activities don’t necessarily mean greater productivity.

Better Things
Fundraising is a constant struggle between making things complex or keeping them simple. Sometimes we confuse our donors when we try to do too many things at once—running multiple campaigns and sending mixed messages. If you can’t clearly communicate your campaign story in sixty seconds, it’s too complicated. The best fundraisers keep their message concise by telling one clear story and making it easy for people to understand your mission and how they can partner with you.

One Thing
John 12:2 records the second time Martha hosted Jesus, “Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.” Martha again served but this time she was not distracted with busyness. She had learned to cherish spending time with Jesus. The highest and best use of your fundraising time this week is investing quality time in cultivating relationships with your key donors. Everything else should take second place.

Think About This: If you’re going to conduct an orchestra, you must turn your back on the crowd. Likewise, if you prioritize cultivating donor relationships, you must say no to many good but distracting fundraising activities. Martha finally chose wisely. Will you?

Response: Lord, please remove the clutter from my calendar and schedule some divine appointments. Prompt me with the name of one key donor you want me to contact this week.

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