Fundraising is good work but hard work—travel, planning events, creating marketing materials, scheduling newsletters and appeals, writing proposals, submitting grant applications, managing staff and volunteers, preparing reports and presentations, and on top of all —the constant concern about making your fundraising goals looms over your head like the sword of Damocles. Are you tired yet? This verse can encourage you at the end of a long day, month, or year. Take heart in the promise all your work will pay off if you just keep doing good. Now read this verse from your donors’ perspective.
Weary
Giving is also good work but hard work. Your ministry partners have many giving choices and are burdened with the responsibility of making good stewardship decisions. They are also troubled by the cares of life: health struggles, financial challenges, church problems, and kids or grandkids drifting from the faith. How can you encourage them? Consider Isaiah 50:4, “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue to know the word that sustains the weary.” You can lift your donors when they are discouraged. “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up” (Prov. 12:25).
Proper Time
Giving is almost always a timing issue. Your donor might love your ministry and your project but can’t give right now. Most donors aren’t motivated by your calendar; they have financial pressures and priorities of their own. You are eager to reap a harvest, but your donors are also eager to reap a harvest. Some may be waiting on a literal harvest of crops, a quarterly interest payment, or the sale of a property. Be bold and ask but be patient and wait for the proper timing.
Reap a Harvest
Your ministry has a monthly budget to meet which requires a certain amount of donor calls to achieve your goals. If you don’t have inputs (number of asks), you won’t achieve outcomes (number of gifts). Focus on sowing seed and the harvest will follow. Learn to see giving through your donor’s eyes. What will their gift accomplish for eternity? Pray your donors’ generosity will reap a harvest of righteousness for your ministry and for them (see 2 Cor. 9:10).
Don’t Give Up
Galatians 6:9 is a spiritual pep talk to keep us going when things get tough. Isaiah said it like this:
God strengthens the weary
and gives vitality to those worn down by age and care.
Young people will get tired;
strapping young men will stumble and fall.
But those who trust in the Eternal One will regain their strength.
They will soar on wings as eagles.
They will run—never winded, never weary.
They will walk—never tired, never faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31, VOICE)
Perhaps you need this encouragement. Your ministry partners definitely do.
Think About This: When you are tired, everything seems overwhelming. Encourage yourself and your ministry partners with Proverbs 30:1, “I am weary, God, but I can prevail.”
Response: Lord, you are the one who gives me strength to serve you. Help me encourage my ministry partners to continue being generous.
