“Ebed-Melek the Cushite said to Jeremiah, ‘Put these old rags and worn-out clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.’ Jeremiah did so, and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern” (Jeremiah 38:12-13).

Nebuchadnezzar was knocking on Jerusalem’s door. Jeremiah warned that those who stayed in the city would die; those who escaped would live. Even though he was speaking God’s truth, the city officials accused him of discouraging everyone, “This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin” (Jeremiah 38:4). The officials complained to King Zedekiah, so he turned Jeremiah over to them and they threw him into a cistern. Imagine how desperate Jeremiah felt as he sank into the mud. We can learn five lessons from his dire situation.

Do you feel like Jeremiah? He spoke truth, but no one wanted to listen. Perhaps your ministry has taken an unpopular stand. Maybe the media has caught wind of the story and amplified the situation. No matter how much you try to explain your side of the story, public opinion says, “you are not seeking good, but ruin.” Consequently, you’re stuck with few options.

Thankfully, Jeremiah had a friend who cared. Ebed-Melek was also a city official, but he was convinced that Jeremiah was speaking the truth. He pleaded to King Zedekiah, “he will starve to death” (Jeremiah 38:9). You need people to speak on your behalf when you don’t have a voice. Stand your ground. Be faithful to your mission. Your donors will notice and respond.

King Zed gave Ebed-Melek permission to round up thirty-one friends and rescue Jeremiah. Here’s an interesting fundraising application. You might be so deep in the mud that just one donor can’t solve your problem. Fundraising is a team sport. Motivated donors ask their friends to partner with them on projects close to their hearts.

Ebed-Melek and his friends grabbed some ropes and old rags, went to the cistern, and pulled Jeremiah up out of the mud. As Chase and Michelle raised missionary support, they challenged individuals to “hold the rope as we go over the cliff!” You need some key donors on the other end of the rope pulling for you.

Jeremiah’s cistern experience didn’t silence him. Interestingly, the first person to seek his counsel was King Zedekiah himself. Jeremiah was skeptical that the king would listen, but he spoke truth anyway. If the king obeyed God, things would go well for him; if he disobeyed, he would be the one sinking in mud. (Jeremiah 38:20-23). Learn from Jeremiah’s courage. Always speak God’s truth—no matter the cost.

Response: Father, I’m discouraged about our current situation. Please give me courage to speak truth and faith to trust your plan. Please prompt some generous donors to throw us a rope!

Think About This: When the Babylonians breeched the wall, they seized the city officials who had thrown Jeremiah in the cistern, but God enabled Ebed-Melek to escape (Jeremiah 39:18). You never forget those who helped you when you were down. Neither does God (Hebrews 6:10)!

Have a Spirit-led week!

Ron

If this devotional encouraged you, please forward it to a friend!

Ron Haas has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

17 Caleb gave his daughter Aksah to him (Othniel) in marriage. 18 One day when she came to Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What can I do for you?” 19 She replied, “Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs (Joshua 15:17-19).

Aksah was Caleb’s only daughter whom he gave in marriage to Othniel as a reward for conquering the city of Kiriath Sepher. Her dowry was a tract of land in the Negev, but she wanted more. So, she urged her husband to ask her dad for water to irrigate her land. Scripture doesn’t record Othniel’s response. Perhaps he felt it would seem ungracious or presumptuous ask for another gift, but that didn’t stop Aksah. She went to Caleb and boldly asked for more! Aksah teaches us four lessons about asking!

Othniel was a brave warrior, but when it came to asking, Aksah felt he needed a little push. Sometimes we struggle asking major donors for additional gifts. We question if we should ask again or whether the donor would even consider a second gift. Here’s an important fundraising rule: Don’t decide for your donors, let them make up their own minds about giving to your project.   

This request was so important to Aksah that she was determined to ask for herself. She didn’t wait for Othniel or task a servant to deliver the message. She saddled up her donkey and made a donor visit. Modern technology is wonderful, but don’t rely on mail, email, texts, or even Zoom. Make every effort to visit your donor face to face when asking for a big gift.

When Caleb asked, “What can I do for you?”, Aksah was prepared with an answer. She thanked him for giving her land and then asked for a special favor, “Give me also springs of water.” You must have clear outcomes in mind for your major donor calls. What do you hope to accomplish in your meeting? Not every meeting is an ask, but when it’s time to ask, be clear about what you want your donor to do.

Aksah certainly had an advantage in this solicitation. She was Caleb’s only daughter, her husband was a respected leader who would become Israel’s first judge, Caleb had already given a generous first gift, and then there’s the granddad factor. She was the right person to make the ask. In your major donor relationships, you must earn the right to ask. Big requests shouldn’t be a surprise. How have you strengthened your key donor relationships, so they are ready to give?

Response: Father, forgive me for my reluctance to ask for a second gift. Help me cultivate strong donor relationships. Give me boldness to ask. Prompt my donors to be generous!

Think About This: When you make solicitation assignments for your team, always choose the person who has the strongest relationship with the donor. Make it easy for your donor to say “Yes,” and difficult for them to say, “No.”

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron

Ron Haas has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few” (2 Kings 4:3).

Many ministries face great financial needs, but have few donor leads. Whom can you turn to find the resources you need? A widow approached Elisha with a great need. Her husband, who was enrolled in the school of prophets, passed away leaving her with a sizable debt. It was so insurmountable that her creditors threatened to take her two sons as slaves. Grief-stricken, she cried out to Elisha for help. His answer can help you solve your desperate need.

Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil” (vs. 2). Many times, we view ourselves as having absolutely nothing to work with. Look closely at your database. Namestorm with your board members. Can you identify anyone who could give $100,000 to your ministry? How about $50,000… $25,000… $10,000… $5,000? Work down your list until you find a lead. Everyone knows someone who could give $1,000.

Elisha helped her realize that she had more resources beyond what she had in her house—she had a network of neighbors and friends. You have relationships with those you serve and those who love those your serve. Our minds always jump to millionaires and billionaires we’ve never met and will probably never meet. Instead, focus your efforts on those in your immediate circle.

Elisha gave her curious instructions. “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few” (vs. 3). Can you imagine the scene? “Mary, could I borrow as many empty jars as you can spare?” She gathered jars of all sizes. Sometimes, we look for one mega donor who can give a mega gift to solve all our problems. It’s easy for a donor to say no to a large request. Ask them for a gift they can say yes to!

The woman filled her house with empty jars, went inside, and shut the door. Then she and her sons witnessed God’s miracle of provision. One by one she filled each jar from her little jar of oil. When the last jar was filled, the oil stopped. She must have wished she had asked a few more neighbors for a few more jars. Don’t stop reaching out. Don’t stop telling your ministry story. Don’t stop asking for gifts no matter how small. The minute you stop asking, the gifts stop coming.

Response: Father, I feel like this desperate widow. Open my eyes to relationships I have and give me the courage to ask for help. Give me faith to trust you for your provision.

Think About This: A master bonsai gardener took an overgrown, partially dead juniper tree and transformed it into a work of art. He commented about his finished product, “You have to use what you’ve got to get what you want.” Use what you have and let God transform it into something beautiful for his glory.

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron

Ron Haas has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

17 The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.”18 “Drink, my lord,” she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. 19 After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.” 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels (Genesis 24:17-20).

Abraham gave his servant detailed instructions about finding bride for Isaac. He was not to look among the daughters of the Canaanites but travel back to his homeland and search among his relatives (see Genesis 24:1-4). Abraham’s servant prayed that God would reveal the right young woman by prompting her to give him a drink and water his camels. God answered immediately in an incredible way.

Rebecca’s over and above response teaches us four important truths about donor endurance. Sometimes we are reluctant to ask a major donor repeatedly for support for fear they will tire of us and stop giving altogether. Donor fatigue seems real, but is it?

Abraham’s servant prayed specifically that the woman would give him a drink and offer to water his camels (Genesis 24:14). He didn’t overwhelm her with a big ask, but wisely started small, “Please give me a little drink from your jar.” Most million-dollar gifts start with a small entry gift. Don’t shock your key prospects with a huge first gift. Ask for a gift that makes it easy for them to say “yes.”

Watering camels is a huge job. A thirsty camel can drink more than 30 gallons of water in 15 minutes. If Abraham’s servant had an entourage with ten camels, we can understand why Rebecca ran so quickly back and forth from the well. Rebecca’s eager response wasn’t just because she had a good work ethic. Her generosity was a sign of God’s answer. God can bring special donors to you who have the gift of giving enthusiastically.

When Rebecca finished her task, Abraham’s servant gave her a gold nose ring and two gold bracelets. It wasn’t just a generous tip for doing a great job, it was a proposal for marriage to Isaac. Develop a lifelong relationship with your key ministry partners. As your friendship deepens over the years, so will their financial commitment to your success. God rewards those who are generous by giving them more opportunities. “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion” (2 Cor. 9:11).

Response: Father, lead me to donors you have selected to partner with our ministry. Grant them the energy and resources to give generously until the job is finished.

Think About This: Jesus promised “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap” (Luke 6:38). That doesn’t sound like donor fatigue. Don’t view generous donors as a well that could run dry. See them as rivers of living water that God abundantly supplies to refresh others.

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron

Ron Haas has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

“For the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the road, at the fork of the two roads, to use divination: he shakes the arrows, he consults the images, he looks at the liver” (Ezekiel 21:21).

19th century philosopher William James penned this witty word play, “Is life worth living? It all depends on the liver.” A healthy liver is key to living a healthy life. Your liver performs approximately 500 functions including synthesizing amino acids and cholesterol; metabolizing carbohydrates, proteins, and fats; and producing bile which assists digestion in the small intestine. The ancient Babylonians believed that the liver could inform their decisions. Should we turn right or left?

What guides your ministry direction? How do you decide what programs to pursue or eliminate? What factors do you examine to determine if you need new facilities to accomplish your mission? Your non-profit is too sophisticated to look at a liver—instead, you’ve developed a strategic plan! Consider these four perspectives.

Autocratic leaders desire to control every aspect of their organization, especially direction. This type of leader makes all the decisions with little to no input from followers. Many non-profits started from the vision of one individual who saw a need, took the risk to create a solution, and it worked. Top-down decisions are made quickly, but they can also demoralize followers who don’t feel their voice is heard.  

This approach to strategic planning believes that the best innovative ideas come from the frontline staff who serve every day. Bottom-up planning is more democratic and can lead to small, incremental changes. While it is imperative to achieve buy-in from key staff, a bottom-up approach sometimes lacks support from leadership or trustees.

An inside-out strategic plan suggests that everyone in the organization knows more about how to help than everyone outside the organization. One challenge with this perspective is that organizations can become insulated and focus more on internal issues. Always remember Peter Drucker’s wise admonition, “Organizations exist to serve people outside the organization.”

It’s healthy to make decisions with information from your community and constituency. What do your customers want and expect from your organization? Carefully listening those you serve helps you respond more effectively to their needs. However, if you chase the demands of people who don’t align with your mission you could possibly drift off course.

Effective strategic planning takes elements of all four approaches, but the best strategic planning refuses to rely on human understanding and seeks God’s direction. Moses experienced a wonderful promise, “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. God has a perfect future for your ministry and will guide you along the right path, if you ask.

Response: Father, please forgive us for leaning on our own understanding when developing our strategic plans.

Think About This: Make Isaiah 30:21 a key strategy when mapping your direction. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

Have a Spirit-led fundraising week,

Ron

Ron Haas has served the Lord as a pastor, the vice president of advancement of a Bible college, a Christian foundation director, a board member and a fundraising consultant. He’s authored two books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising and Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for At the Center magazine and Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.

1. Writing. News flash—donors aren’t scanning their inbox eager to open your newsletters, fundraising appeals, and emails. You must grab and keep their attention within the first sentence. Share encouraging stories of how your ministry is making an eternal difference and ask. Be ruthless with your red editing pen and cut all needless words. Get to the point.

2. Speaking. TEDtalks are 18 minutes. It doesn’t matter how famous, wealthy, or influential you are; you have 18 minutes to make your point. Set a time limit for your featured gala/banquet speaker. The longer they run into overtime the less generous your donors will be. Coach them to get to the point.

3. Watching. Six second funny cat videos can get millions of views. Most YouTube videos are 7-15 minutes. Marketing videos should be two minutes or less. The quality of your content is more important than length. Your video should be as long as it takes you to tell your compelling story—not a second more or a second less. Get to the point.

4. Visiting. Don’t overstay your welcome during a donor visit. Plan on 45 minutes to an hour. You can stay longer if your host keeps the conversation going, but don’t dawdle. Before your meeting, determine what outcomes you hope to accomplish and guide the conversation toward that end. Implement the 3 Bs: Be Good, Be Brief, and Be Gone. Get to the point.

5. Asking. The most critical moment of your donor visit is the “ask.” Instead of asking, some ministry leaders hint and talk around the ask. Some nervously ask for a gift but keep on talking after they ask. If you keep talking, you risk talking your donor out of the gift. Stop talking; listen for their answer. Get to the point.