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/
