Luke 11:5-8 “Then Jesus went on to say: Suppose one of you goes to a friend in the middle of the night and says, “Let me borrow three loaves of bread. A friend of mine has dropped in, and I don’t have a thing for him to eat.” And suppose your friend answers, “Don’t bother me! The door is bolted, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give you something.” He may not get up and give you the bread, just because you are his friend. But he will get up and give you as much as you need, simply because you are not ashamed to keep on asking” Luke 11:5-8 (CEV).
Jesus told this parable to teach his disciples to pray boldly. This passage also reveals four lessons about fundraising.
Our friend was asking to meet an urgent need for someone else. When you engage your donors, your motivation is to serve others.
Our friend turned to his friend for help. Sometimes we dream about gifts coming from people we’ve never met, but we must ask those who know and appreciate our ministry.
His friend wasn’t interested in helping. Fundraisers hear a lot of “nos.” Some reasons for not giving seem valid, some seem like excuses.
His friend finally gave only because our friend kept asking. One of the most admirable qualities for a fundraiser is persistence.
Asking is an important part of the giving process. Yes, some are prompted to give on their own, but others need encouragement. Luke 11:8 (GW) “I can guarantee that although he doesn’t want to get up and give you anything, he will get up and give you whatever you need because he is your friend and because you were so bold. Keep praying boldly! Keep asking boldly!
God bless,
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.
