Do we, in the stewardship business, have the right or the opportunity to discuss the concept of legacy? Do donors to our schools see the whole picture of where they are investing? Is there a benefit to them in this life?
Thankfully, the scriptures answer these questions for us.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 — “Command those who are rich in this present world … to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
In this passage we are to command the rich to be rich toward God. We should tell our friends to be generous and willing to share. Why? Because these investments are laid up in heaven, a place that is not subject to the oscillations of the earthly investment world.
Part of our work, then, is to connect the riches of Christians with the eternal consequences of a Christian education.
What are the implications of this when we write an appeal letter? I believe that, rather than talk solely about our school's financial needs, we must describe what God has and is doing in the school while we encourage the donor be rich to kingdom work.
Notice how Paul describes the life benefit to the donor, "...that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." True life and true living is that living where our purposes are aligned with the Lord's.
What a privilege for us "stewardship shepherds" to be able to play a small part in God's work of advocating His kingdom here on earth.
Lastly, if we are able to have these kinds of interactions with donors and friends we can trust God completely if He directs the gifts to go somewhere other than our school. After all, He owns it all and there is plenty available for all of His projects.
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