Biblical Foundations for Support Raising

WARNING: Not a terribly interesting post, but it might help some people who are in the middle of fund raising.

It is humbling to ask people for money. I avoid it if I can. However, recently, I've had to ask friends and family members to support me in two different ways: Project Destiny and the Partnership Program for Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. I sent out 63 support letters for Project Destiny and I have been contacting individuals about Gordon-Conwell. It has been amazing to see how folks have responded in generosity-- and even more amazing to realize how God is providing a way forward on a trail that he has blazed.

I've gotten a chance to think a bit about the biblical foundations for fundraising lately:

My understanding of Christian support-building is that the Church is one body whose purpose is to glorify Christ in this world and to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed, especially to those who do not know it. To live this out, members of the Church should see their own lives and possessions with an Acts 2 mentality: sharing everything in common, devoting to prayer, and supplying for one another’s needs. To those who have Christ in common, the Gospel is of immense worth, and its a joy to participate in its advance.

Because of this, I can boldly ask—knowing that, while I am asking people to help me, I am also offering an opportunity to partner for the sake of Christ and for the spread of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul himself offered this idea in his letter to the Philippians: “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.” In other words, the opportunity to give is also a ministry to the giver by offering them a chance to have this attitude in Christ. The result is a double-blessing for all involved: the joy of partnering in life-transforming Gospel work and the blessing of being connected to others in supporting or being supported.

While I may boldly ask, I may not expect anyone to give—I may not coerce, manipulate, or guilt anyone to contribute or pray for me. The Apostle Paul wrote, in the second letter to the Corinthians, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” I believe that the end will not justify the means—that each “means” is also an “end” in itself. One goal of partnership ministry, besides the “end goal” of supporting a ministry, is to provide opportunities for and to cultivate the “cheerful giver.” Any practice that short-changes this aspect of support-raising is unbiblical and may, in fact, be the manifestation of unbelief in the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of potential partners.

In any case... I hope this helps you if you find yourself in a situation similar to mine where you have to fund raise for the Gospel.