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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.

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.

A series of white human figures standing on progressively taller rectangular pedestals, set against a vibrant orange background, with the words 'Develop a Persuasive Case – 1 Corinthians 2:4' on the left side of the image.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Develop a Persuasive Case

by Ron Haas
June 6, 2025

“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:4).

Have you ever agonized over finding just the right words, phrases, or tag line for your fundraising materials? A case for support is your major donor tool to express your need and how your donors can help meet that need. We wordsmith every sentence to be as compelling as possible hoping to unlock our donors’ hearts and minds. You need a case statement for all your fundraising campaigns like the annual appeal, major gift campaigns, capital, and endowment campaigns. Fresh graphic design, great photos, infographics, and clean typefaces are all important, but your case statement must answer six key questions:

What is the need?
Needs come in all shapes and sizes. What specific need are you trying to solve? If you need a building, focus on what will happen inside the building. Sometimes we try to solve all our problems in one campaign, but it can be overwhelming to donors. Make the need manageable so that donors feel they can make a difference.

Is this need urgent?
Urgency is a key decision-making factor. Some causes are inherently urgent—providing clean water, feeding widows and orphans, and evangelizing the lost. If your need doesn’t seem urgent to you, it won’t seem urgent to your donors. Find ways to express your compelling arguments in simple terms.

How will your ministry meet this need?
We love talking about ourselves. Sometimes, we communicate that we have all the answers and donors just help us accomplish our goals. Write less about your organization and focus more on those you serve and how your donors are ministry partners in providing the solution.

Whom will be impacted?
Your case for support is not just a laundry list of projects you hope to accomplish. Effective case statements share facts and evidence but must tug at the heart. Donors make giving decisions with their minds and hearts. Stories are the most effective way to communicate whom your fundraising campaign will help.

What will happen if you fail?
Whom won’t be helped if you are unable to raise these funds? What key programs will be limited? What opportunities will be missed if your donors don’t participate? We like to think failure is not an option, but if your supporters don’t give sacrificially, failure is a possibility.

How can your donor get involved?
Use donor-centric phrases to call your donors to action, such as: “This significant project will only happen because of your generous support,” or “A better future is possible for our students, because of you,” or “Your gift will provide even more meaningful experiences to our current and future students.”

Think About This: You can say all the right fundraising words to persuade your donors and still not motivate them to give. Paul didn’t rely on wise and persuasive words, instead he relied on the Spirit’s power. The greatest case for support you could ever make is to share stories of how the Spirit is working through your ministry to change lives for eternity.

Response: Father, please accomplish your will through our ministry. May the Spirit demonstrate his power in our lives and those we serve.

A male and female lion resting together on dry grass in a woodland setting, with the words 'Asking King and Queen – Nehemiah 2:6' displayed on the right side of the image.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Asking King and Queen

by Ron Haas
June 4, 2025

Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time (Nehemiah 2:6).

Nehemiah heard of Jerusalem’s desperate situation; the city walls had been destroyed and the people were living in constant danger (Neh. 1:1-3). He wept, prayed, and planned for four months about how to solve this problem. One day as he was serving as cupbearer, the king noticed Nehemiah’s sadness and asked what was wrong. This was Nehemiah’s major donor moment—he shared his burden and asked the king for (a) passports, (b) royal timber, and (c) time off. This verse adds an interesting dynamic, the queen was sitting beside the king and heard every word. The fundraising application is clear: as often as possible, you should include husband and wife when you ask for a gift.

Emotional
Generally, women tend to be more emotionally expressive than men. That’s important to remember because what your ministry does to serve people should have an emotional element. Nehemiah himself was moved to tears for the people living in Jerusalem (Neh. 1:4). He was motivated to act because of the critical needs of hurting people. Include both husband and wife as you share your stories of changed lives. Men might make an intellectual giving decision; women are more concerned with issues of the heart.

Relational
It’s interesting that the queen is mentioned in the context of the king’s question, “How long will it take and when are you coming back?” It seems that the king and queen liked having Nehemiah around and were going to miss him when he was gone. The cupbearer wasn’t just an ordinary slave, he was the king’s confidant. As official taste-tester, he had sipped multiple glasses of wine to ensure that the king and queen were not poisoned. In your donor development work, make personal friends with both the husband and wife.

Intuition
One great reason for meeting with husband and wife is to tap into a woman’s intuition. Women possess a knack for knowing what others are feeling and thinking. Jon Voight observes, “There’s something real in women’s intuition. It’s an accurate signpost for decision making, but it usually bumps up against man’s logic. So, we have to put ego aside and listen to them.” Include wives in your solicitation conversations, perhaps one will share some insights that will improve your project.

Life Span
Actuarial tables calculate the average life expectancy for women is 79 years and 72 years for men. Perhaps you’ve seen a funny meme of why women live longer than men that usually includes electricity, water, ladders, and other risky, non-OSHA approved activities. You should cultivate wives as major donors, because statistically they will be making giving decisions years after their husbands have passed on to Glory.

Think About This: An administrator pitched a husband and wife on a clock tower project. The husband’s first reaction was, “I don’t think we are interested in this.” His wife responded, “I think it’s a great idea!” To which the husband continued, “I think we’re interested in this.”

Response: Lord, please give me insight to include husbands and wives in our giving opportunities.

Flat lay of a dark desk with a laptop, coffee cup, notebook, pen, and wireless earbuds, with the text "World’s Best Fundraising Boss – Ruth 2:8" on the left side.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

World’s Best Fundraising Boss

by Ron Haas
April 22, 2025

So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me” (Ruth 2:8).

One of the biggest fundraising challenges is retaining talent. The average development staff tenure is 24 months. Fundraising can be fast-paced, stressful, frustrating, and exhausting. Some people simply burn out and give up. Staff leave for many reasons, but common complaints are unrealistic expectations, low appreciation, and toxic work environments. People usually quit their boss before they quit their job. How can you foster a healthy atmosphere where your team loves to come to work? Boaz earned his “World’s Best Boss” coffee mug with these six leadership actions:

Lead Spiritually
Every day Boaz greeted his harvesters with, “The Lord be with you” (Ruth 2:4) and his staff responded in kind. As the fundraising leader, you should create a healthy spiritual atmosphere. Do you model the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23)?

Ask Questions
“Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, ‘Who does that young woman belong to?’” (Ruth 2:5). Boaz didn’t treat his employees as nameless faceless tools to accomplish a job. One absent-minded executive always called his maintenance director “Rod” when his name was Rob. Boaz showed a personal interest in each one to learn their story.

Provide Training
Some onboarding processes are atrocious. We teach people how to swim by throwing them into the deep end of the pool. Boaz gave Ruth specific instructions, “Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women” (Ruth 2:9). Give your team the proper training they need to be successful.

Create Safety
“I have told the men not to lay a hand on you” (Ruth 2:9). It’s sad to hear when Christian ministries have allowed employees to make inappropriate remarks to their female staff members. Paul was clear about avoiding sinful communication, “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving” (Eph. 5:4).

Show Grace
Boaz instructed his team, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don’t reprimand her. Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her” (Ruth 2:15-16). Show grace to your new team members as they learn your system and give them quick wins to build their confidence.

Be Kind
Boaz welcomed Ruth to the team by (a) offering her cool water (2:9), (b) inviting her to sit with them at mealtime (2:14), and (c) speaking encouraging words to her. “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants” (Ruth 2:13).

Think About This: Ruth stayed because Boaz specifically asked her to stay. “Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me” (Ruth 2:8). Don’t assume that your staff know how much you appreciate them. Tell them.

Response: Father, help me reflect Christ’s love and kindness to my team.

A majestic, snow-capped mountain stands against a vibrant, colorful sky at sunrise or sunset. The bold text "Give Me This Fundraising Mountain!" overlays the image, emphasizing determination and faith in achieving fundraising goals.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Give Me This Fundraising Mountain!

by Ron Haas
April 2, 2025

“Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said” (Joshua 14:12 NKJV).

Moses sent twelve spies into the Promised Land to see if it really was flowing with milk and honey (see Num. 13). They brought back amazing stories and a single cluster of grapes so enormous two of them had to carry it on a pole between them. Despite the abundance, ten spies focused on the giants, and saw themselves as grasshoppers in comparison. Joshua and Caleb saw things differently. Caleb proclaimed, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Num 13:30). Unfortunately, their enthusiasm couldn’t overcome the bad report the other ten spread throughout the camp. As a result, the Israelites refused to move forward by faith, and God forced them to wander in the wilderness for forty years.

Fast forward forty-five years. Joshua has conquered the land and is dividing the spoils among the tribes, when Caleb comes forward to collect the inheritance Moses had promised. Caleb’s faith encourages us to take on fundraising challenges that others deem impossible.

Different Attitude
Caleb was an exceptional leader because he had a different attitude (see Num 14:24). Everyone else was worried about the BUGs (Big Unfriendly Giants) in their fortified cities and talked themselves out of victory before they even started. Caleb didn’t deny the challenges, he just saw them as opportunities. Successful fundraising requires a positive outlook. Donors aren’t eagerly waiting for you to ask them for money. Don’t talk yourself out of asking by thinking, “this major donor will never give to our project.” If you don’t ask, you’ll never know how they would respond.

Wholehearted
Steve Jobs made this observation, “You have to be burning with an idea, or a problem, or a wrong that you want to right. If you’re not passionate enough from the start, you’ll never stick it out.” Caleb “followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly” (Josh. 14:14). He stayed passionate about claiming his inheritance. As a fundraiser, do you believe in your ministry? If you are not passionate, why will your donor be? Is fundraising a calling or merely a job? Fundraising is no place for the halfhearted.

Divine-Human
You won’t be successful through your own efforts. Fundraising is a divine-human effort. The Lord must turn hearts toward your ministry, but you must ask for the gift. “The Lord caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for” (Ex. 12:36 NLT). Caleb trusted in the Lord, rolled up his sleeves, and started fighting giants, “the Lord helping me, I will drive them out” (Josh. 14:12).

Think About This: If you have a fundraising dream but others don’t, pray that God will lead new people to your ministry who will catch your vision.

Response: Father, please give me the fundraising mountains you’ve promised. Give me strength and perseverance to keep asking. Give me faith like Caleb.

A peaceful rural landscape featuring a vast field with golden-brown grass, bordered by a dense tree line under a partly cloudy sky. The text "More Fundraising Lessons from Farming" is prominently displayed in a bold, earthy font, with a reference to James 5:7 underneath. The image conveys themes of patience, growth, and stewardship, drawing a parallel between farming and fundraising principles.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

More Fundraising Lessons from Farming

by Ron Haas
March 26, 2025

“See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains” (James 5:7).

Fundraisers can learn valuable lessons from farmers. Both occupations require hard work to prepare the ground, sow seed, and wait patiently for the harvest. Consider these applications:

Patience
Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” Sowing and reaping take time. Fundraisers have urgency because of the great ministry needs or budget pressures, but a wise fundraiser is patient and realizes that it takes time for donors to consider your gift request. Fundraising is like a marriage between your ministry partner and your mission. Most people don’t propose to their future spouse on the first date. Likewise, you shouldn’t ask for a six or seven figure gift on your first visit. Slow down and build a strong relationship. Be faithful to sow the seeds of how your ministry is making an eternal difference.

Hard Work
Paul encouraged Timothy to learn ministry work ethic from the “the hardworking farmer” (2 Tim. 2:6). Farmers work from sunrise to sunset in all kinds of weather. Lazy farmers don’t last long. Solomon observed, “A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring has nothing to harvest in the fall” (Prov. 20:4 MSG). Farming is not a 9 to 5 job and neither is fundraising. It takes discipline to keep calling donors who don’t return your calls. It’s much easier to make excuses than to invest in the hard work of identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors. All too often, we give up too soon. Keep sowing the seed if you hope to reap a harvest.

First to Receive
Paul continues his lesson to Timothy, “The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops” (2 Tim. 2:6). The farmer works for the benefit of everyone else, and he should reap some of the benefits first. If he is not strong and healthy from the food he produces, he will be unable to share future harvests with others. This has an interesting application to fundraising. Your ministry should make the development department a budget priority, not an afterthought. If you don’t provide your fundraising team with the tools and resources to be successful, your entire ministry will suffer.

Faith
Farmers plant and trust God for the results. You are not just trusting God for the right moment to ask your prospective donor; you are also trusting him for the autumn and spring rains that soften hearts. When you wait on the Lord for his harvest, he promises abundance. “The time will come,” says the Lord, “when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested” (Amos 9:13 NLT). Pray that the Lord will bless you with more gifts that you can handle!

Think About This: “For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations” (Isa. 61:11). As fundraisers we must work hard, but ultimately it is the Lord who produces the harvest.

Response: Lord, help me sow faithfully and wait patiently for your harvest.

A lush green farm field stretches into the horizon under a partly cloudy sky, illuminated by the warm glow of the setting or rising sun. The text "Fundraising Lessons from Farming" is prominently displayed at the top in bold black letters, with a Bible reference beneath it. The image conveys themes of growth, cultivation, and patience, symbolizing the parallels between farming and effective fundraising.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Fundraising Lessons from Farming

by Ron Haas
March 19, 2025

“When a farmer plows for planting, does he plow continually?
Does he keep on breaking up and working the soil?” (Isaiah 28:24)

Fundraising and farming share many similarities. Farmers must sow seed on fertile ground, provide the plants with plenty of sunshine and water, remove life-sapping weeds, and patiently wait for the harvest. Isaiah portrays God as a heavenly farmer who plants and brings forth an eternal harvest by his great wisdom. His parable applies to fundraising in three ways:

Know when to stop cultivating
When farmers prepare the ground, they are careful not overwork the soil. Modern farming techniques such as low-till or no-till, keep soil disturbance to a minimum. At some point, a wise farmer stops plowing the ground and sows the seed. Yet some fundraisers are always in cultivation mode. They look for one more conversation, one more visit, one more event before they are ready to ask. It sounds spiritual to keep preparing the ground because you think the donor needs more time, but if you don’t plant seed, you won’t reap a harvest. If you don’t ask, you won’t receive.

Choose the best plants for the soil
A wise farmer knows which plants thrive in which soil type. Are you planting caraway, cumin, wheat, barley, or spelt? (see Isaiah 28:25). Caraway prefers cool weather, cumin requires full sun, and fertile, well-drained soil. Wheat likes lots of sunshine and warm weather. Barley can tolerate somewhat alkaline soils. Spelt can be grown on poorly drained, low fertility soils. Similarly, your donors also have individual interests. Perhaps they are motivated to help the homeless, scholarship an underprivileged child, or give to enhance your technology. Some donors like bricks and mortar projects, some don’t. Ask the right donor the right gift amount for the right project.

Use the appropriate tools
“Caraway is not threshed with a sledge nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin; caraway is beaten out with a rod and cumin with a stick” (Isa. 28:27). Caraway and cumin produce delicate seeds that are used as spices. The farmer would crush the seeds if he used a sledge or rolled over them with his cart. Instead, he chooses the right tools to protect the grain for the greatest yield. Cash gifts are not always the best way for your donor to give. Perhaps it would be better for them to transfer an appreciated stock, give real estate, make an in-kind gift of goods or services, or donate tangible property like rare books, works of art, or valuable collectibles. Use the right tools to help your ministry partner maximize their gift.

Think About This: Farming requires great knowledge, so does fundraising. How does the farmer know when to plant and when to harvest? Isaiah 28:26 says, “His God instructs him and teaches him the right way.” How do you know when to stop cultivating and ask for a gift? The Spirit will lead you to say the right words at the right time.

Response: Father, give me wisdom and skill to sow seed and reap a bountiful harvest. I’m grateful for your provision for our ministry because, “All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent” (Isa. 28:29).

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