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A sunrise over four distinct paths—dry cracked ground, a dirt road, a rocky path, and thorny terrain—stretching into the distance, with the text “Four Fundraising Volunteers” and “Matthew 13:8” displayed in the sky.
Fundraising Verse of the Week

Four Fundraising Volunteers

by Ron Haas
April 7, 2026

“Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop, a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 13:8).

Choosing who serves on your volunteer fundraising team is one of your most important leadership decisions. The right people multiply your impact; the wrong ones drain your energy and stall progress. Jesus’ parable of the four types of soil teaches how people receive the gospel, and it offers surprising insight for recruiting volunteers. Just like the farmer encountered different soil conditions, you’ll discover people respond very differently when asked to help with fundraising.

Hardened-The path
The first type of ground Jesus mentions is the hard-packed path where birds eat the seeds before they can even sink in. In volunteer recruitment, these are people whose hearts are closed to your mission or who want nothing to do with fundraising. Their first response is, “I can’t ask people for money.” Maybe they just don’t see asking for money as ministry. Don’t take it personally. Not everybody is wired for fundraising.

Shallow-The rocky ground
The second type is rocky soil with just a thin layer of dirt. Seeds sprout quickly but die fast when the heat comes because their roots can’t go deep. These volunteers sign up enthusiastically and make big promises, but when the work gets hard or takes longer than expected, they disappear. They lack the deep commitment needed to finish. Experienced leaders learn to look past initial excitement and discern whether someone truly understands what they’re signing up for.

Distracted-The thorny ground
The third type is thorny ground. Seeds grow here, but weeds choke them out. These volunteers genuinely care about your mission and want to help. But their lives are just too crowded. Work pressures, family needs, and a dozen other commitments squeeze out their ability to serve well. They show up to meetings occasionally but can’t really dig in. The problem isn’t their character, it’s their calendar. Leaders need to help these folks make an honest assessment if this is the right time for them to serve. Perhaps you could suggest other ways they can support your work instead.

Fruitful-The good soil
Finally, Jesus describes good soil that produces a huge harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was planted. These volunteers have a “Here am I. Send me” attitude. Their commitment is real, and they have time to serve. They don’t just show up; they go all in. They don’t just complete tasks; they multiply your impact by bringing others along and modeling what generosity looks like. Pray that the Lord of the Harvest will send these types of workers to you.

Think About This: The farmer’s job isn’t to create good soil; it’s to find it and develop it. Smart leaders invest most heavily in people who show they’re ready rather than spreading energy equally across everyone. This doesn’t mean you’re unkind to those who can’t commit. It means you’re stewarding both your time and theirs well.

Response: Lord, please help me recruit the right people for our fundraising team.Give me wisdom to recognize who is ready to serve and grace to release those who aren’t. Help me build a volunteer team who will cultivate an abundant harvest.

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.

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