“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
We take great care when selecting the perfect gift for that special person, but nothing compares with our Heavenly Father’s gift of his only Son to be “an atoning sacrifice for our sin” (1 John 4:10). Praise God for his generous, sacrificial gift of salvation! Without God’s generosity to us, we would be eternally lost and without hope. Paul responded to God’s gift with this doxology of praise. How should you respond to the generosity of your donors? Gifts from your ministry partners accomplish four results.
Practical
Henry Ford said, “Nothing happens until someone sells something.” In ministry, nothing happens until someone gives something. Generosity starts a chain reaction of blessing. “This service that you perform is… supplying the needs of the Lord’s people” (1 Cor. 9:12). Gifts solve real problems and enable you to serve others. With a balanced budget you can educate more students, feed more hungry people, and reach more people with the Gospel. More money means more ministry.
Personal
Your ministry benefits when donors give, their generosity also demonstrates the genuineness of their faith. “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves” (2 Cor. 9:13). Giving is an expression of “the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ” (vs. 13). James warns us that faith without works is dead. “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” (James 2:14-16). Giving transforms mere talk into action.
Praise
Generous giving prompts “many expressions of thanks to God” (vs. 12). Great news about a generous gift spreads like wildfire. “Others will praise God for… your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else” (2 Cor. 9:13). Share with your donors how their gift is making an eternal difference and how your whole team is thanking God because of their generosity. Tell an impact story that would not have happened without their gift. Thank them for sharing with you and the other ministries they support.
Prayer
We are encouraged to pray for missionaries who are sharing the gospel throughout the world. Many donors don’t realize that those who benefit from their generosity are also praying for them. “And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you” (vs. 14). The greatest way to thank your donors is to pray for them. Ask for their prayer requests, spend time praying for them, and follow up to hear how God has answered.
Think About This: So many great things happen when donors give generously. You have the privilege of asking your donors to partner with you to accomplish eternal work. This week thank your donors for their generous, sacrificial gifts to your ministry.
Response: Father, I am so thankful to you for our donors. Please help me express my gratefulness to my donors in ways that give you all the glory.
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 three books: Ask for a Fish – Bold Faith-Based Fundraising, Simply Share – Bold, Grace-Based Giving, and Keep on Asking – Bold, Spirit-Led Fundraising. He regularly presents fundraising workshops at ministry conferences and has written fundraising articles for Christian Leadership Alliance’s Outcomes magazine.
