"Teacher, be teachable"

Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."

Ph. 2:3 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."

One of the problems that I have observed is that many of us operate as Lone Rangers in the fund raising world. We reason that:

"I'm paid to do this, so it's my job"

"No one else knows how the development function works (in my unique situation), so there is no one who can really help."

"I have volunteers who help with mailings and things - isn't this asking?"

It seems that we administrators have a strange sense of pride when it comes to asking for real help and wisdom. Some of us have the need to "go it alone" in our work believing this is our calling or burden. Or, maybe we are already overloaded. I have been told that "I don't have time for advice; I can't get everything done as it is!"

The foolish person does not know what they do not know and, hence, plunges ahead without the benefit of wisdom from others.

The wise person knows what they don't know and and he or she has great respect for the wisdom and insight of others.

Are you known for being teachable? Do you seek advice from others? A wise friend once reminded me that Jesus taught in parables or stories and that our communications should include stories of how God has blessed families through our school. That was great advice; ever since we try to tell stories of the consequences of a Christian education and to dwell less on our particular need. Our donors, like us, relate to stories.

Whether you seek advice from someone within the school, or a donor, or a peer, make sure you are doing so with a humble heart and that you are earnestly seeking advice, not just using the conversation as a pretense for some other objective. God knows and sees the condition of our hearts.

As we teach others about stewardship we need to be seeking the Lord's wisdom in every aspect of our work. It may mean putting down the mailing and picking up the phone.