Grandparents and their Giving Legacy

"What am I leaving behind?" These are the words on a small pamphlet that was given to our guests at this month's Grandparents' Day.

Here are some of the legacy messages included in this "non ask" piece:

• We are stewards of the gifts God has given to us. At the end of our earthly lives we will stand before the Lord and be evaluated as to how we managed the gifts God put under our care. We want to hear, "Well done my good my good and faithful servant."
• We cannot take our talent and wealth with us when leave this earth. "Do not store for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, ..." Matt. 6:19-21
• There is a present joy in seeing your assets used and directing them rather than having them distributed upon your death.
• Grandparents can invest in future generations of students.
• Grandparents honor the Lord as they respond to His command to be joyful givers. "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Cor. 9:7

"How do I contribute to future generations?"

• Take stock of your blessings: time, talent and treasure.
• Ask God to give you the desire to be generous with these blessings.
• Pray for clarity and boldness to do something significant for the Lord.
• Seek out areas in the school where you can apply your time and talent. There are many volunteer opportunities available.
• Give financially - this commitment strengthens your partnership with the school.
• Consider planned gifts of stock, other non-cash assets or future gifts that might be included in your estate.

I hope you are asking, "So, how did it work?"

I don't know, yet. But, I am confident that if we communicate faithfully and respectfully and in keeping with God's precepts, we can expect a harvest. It will be on His schedule and His way.

Don't Panic - You'll run off the road

Maybe you have heard the expression, "Desperate people do desperate things". I believe that condition can affect us; it has hit me recently.

When we finalize the budget and calculate the "gap", that lovely plug figure required to balance the budget, we can gasp at the size and wonder what we have gotten ourselves into.

When this reality hits, we (I) can go into an all-hands-on-deck frenzy that makes me want to call and write large donors asking them to rescue us just one more time. Then, we say we need to let everyone know our real needs so they can "be praying" about the school's need. Actually, we just want them to write the check; praying is fine, though.

Prov. 3:5 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;"

Thankfully, I have a friend who reminded me Who is in charge and this admonition caused me to re-phrase an upcoming appeal. Rather than write about the school's needs, here are the messages that were conveyed:

• Thankfulness for the blessing of a Christ-centered education
• Appreciation for the partnership of parents
• Recognition of the privilege of being able to support our children and their teachers
• Joy in giving as we respond the God;s blessing each of us

Don't let the tyranny of the urgent drag you into a crisis mindset; God is not bound by our timetables or budget foibles.

Stay on course, communicate directly and confidently, and encourage your friends to seek the spiritual blessings as they live each day.

Raising Money or Raising Donors?

I want to commend The Sower http://sowerbook.org as one of the best primers for biblical fundraising. Authors Scott Rodin and Gary Hoag make the case and give the guidance for us to become ministers of stewardship, thereby raising "resourcers" for the Kingdom, not just the occasional gift.

The book's "visual" is the sower described in 1 Co. 4:6-9

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building."

In this passage we are reminded that we sow and cultivate in people's lives, and we may have the privilege of reaping, or receiving the gifts.

In taking this approach we need to remember two things:

1. Generosity is not something that we can effect; it is a heart change (transformation) by the Holy Spirit. Have said that, we can encourage generous living and generous giving, the seed that we are to sow.
2. We cannot (or should not) reduce our work to generating a cash transaction. That doesn't bless or grow the donor; nor does it stimulate biblical stewardship. We are to seek spiritual transformation, helping donors to become rich toward God.

Getting our minds and hearts oriented this way is difficult; and many boards struggle with the concept, too. But, ministry is hard work - if it were easy, we would do it in our own strength.

Hospital visits and Stewardship

I have some friends who are in the hospital right now. One is very ill and close to death. The others will survive, but they are in serious situations.

God has given me a burden and desire to visit these friends, so I have been travelling to the hospital every day for awhile to listen, comfort and pray for those who are suffering terribly. Much of the time is spent sitting next to the family members who are worried, tired and grieving. The hope they have is in the Great Physician who is pleased to work through mortal doctors and nurses.

What do hospital visits have to do with stewardship? They remind me of some important truths and they help keep me calibrated and motivated. Here are a few that may resonate with you:

1. Every day I wake is a blessing from God, a day to acknowledge Him as my Master Scheduler.
2. The fact that I can walk into the hospital and walk out is another blessing. So, my tiredness is not important.
3. Everyone needs a good word and human touch. As disciples of Christ we are to come alongside (Gal. 6) and help bear one another's burdens.
4. Giving resources to Kingdom work (including mine) is important, but it is not always the priority; life and death issues can consume the whole mind of a donor.
5. Life on this earth is short. We need to make good use of our time.
6. Our hospital-bound friends may be receptive to the gospel; they may be experiencing the lack of other "saviors", like health and status and wealth.
7. God is pleased when we keep the well-being of others foremost in our minds. If I leave my home thinking, "Where will the next big gift come from?", I am not thinking the Lord's thoughts.

How does the practice of hospital ministry impact my fund-raising? It gives me a sensitivity and care for others and keeps me grateful for the blessing of availability.