Ready to Start a New Year

In Exodus 33:12-18, God calls Moses to lead His people.  Moses comes back to the Lord in this amazing conversation and says:

• Who are You sending with me?
• Teach me your ways so I may find favor with you
• Remember that this nation is your people

God replies, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

As if to underscore the necessity of God's Presence Moses says, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.  How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us?  What else will distinguish me and your people from all of the other people on the face of the earth?"

As we know, God is pleased with Moses and insures that Moses' requests are granted.  In the big picture, it is Moses coming into alignment with God's plans.

As resource raisers, we must pray that God's Presence (the Holy Spirit) is going ahead and with us.  It is incumbent on us to realize our total dependence on the Lord to raise up givers and gifts. 

As Moses declared, we dare not venture into the financial fray without asking to be filled with His Presence and to follow His lead.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. - Proverbs 16:9.

Let's make it an obedient year!

Giving Away Blessings

This past week I was at the annual conference of the Association of Classical and Christian Schools in Dallas.  At this conference I was able to conduct two workshops: the seasons of stewardship - how the sower prepares the soil. plants seeds, waters and fertilizes, nurtures growth of seedlings, and watches God bring in the harvest. 

The second workshop provided more detail on how the school can reach out and into the community through tours, music, and service.  The attendees were very gracious and told me that the talk was helpful.

In particular, here is one note that underscores one of the major points. "Your words echoed our mission statement: 'To mold and shape the minds and spirits of all students to what God has intended them in Christ to be.'  The focus being first on giving the blessing of God's Word and love to one another."

That is the goal of Christian fund raising or development; to help people grow in their love for the Lord through vigorous and regular blessing.  Secular development is man and technique-centered; it does not have the beauty of seeing the Spirit involved in transforming hearts.  What a privilege we have in our work.

Who have you blessed today?

Development is Relationship, right?

Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend a development workshop at a Christian college.  The vice president of development spoke about the importance of relationships.  The major points:

• Why people don't give to an organization (they aren't asked, aren't convinced, or don't understand)
• Why we fund raisers are hesitant to ask (don't know how and fear of rejection) 
• Fund raisers need a Fund Raising Plan comprised of:
• Create the case
• Have needs and objectives
• Identify potential giving sources
• Develop the plan
• Make the ask
• Important details
• Developing the "ask cycle"
• Cultivation
• Communication

While I can agree that all these are useful pieces, this method or techniques misses the heart of stewardship: raising up donors to be generous to God with thankful and glad hearts. 

Sadly, had it not been for the venue of the meeting, this training could have been at any secular non-profit organization.  The gospel, discipleship, the Bible's instruction on giving were no where to be found.

I believe that God has "raised up" Christian fund raisers to help people to connect their faith and their finances.  In this way, God uses us to show His dominion and authority over all of life, including how we do our charitable giving.  Biblical stewardship gives us a road map of how we are to disciple donors.  It also give donors an impetus and template by which they can respond to God's blessings by returning to Him money to be used for Kingdom expansion.

How the Fall Fundraiser Went

This past week we had our Fine Dessert, the official kick-off of the Annual Fund campaign. The Dessert serves two purposes. It showcases some aspect of every part of the school and it gives us the opportunity to invite financial partnership.

This year we produced a new video which you can see here. This promotional piece was followed by a five-minute appeal (write me if you would like a copy) and then by the student presentations. The entire program (excluding the dessert hour) was seventy minutes. During this time we demonstrated something from every grade and guests could see the progression of the education from the youngest to the oldest.

On each seat was a ScholarShare booklet (the name for the Annual Fund campaign) plus a response form and return envelop. Several of those in attendance made contributions that evening totalling about $10,000. I was also able to announce that $55,000 had already been committed by eleven families, which was a huge encouragement.

Going forward, I will be interacting with those who contributed and pledged. It is a joy to hear about their commitment to classical and Christian education.

As a follow-up, we will be sending out an end-of-year report on how the Lord has blessed the school. Yes, we will include a giving envelop because many people contribute in December.

As you do your appeals, remember that donors invest in people who are transformed and who are transforming their world by being equipped with a complete Christian worldview education.

Grateful Donors Love to Give

Today it happened. A donor responded to a very targeted appeal to assist a low-income family with a need for tuition assistance.

Last week I described the need of a student to get more aid than we normally allow. Five people were contacted who I thought would be pleased and willing to hear the request. Each one said they would; three have already indicated they were going to help.

Today the wife of one of the men I contacted came in with a check plus the promise of a corporate match from her employer. She was thrilled to be able to help the tuition deficit, and she was also grateful that I approached her husband first. "In doing so", she said, "he is stepping into the leadership role that he should take."

This donor thanked me (the school) for allowing them to participate in helping a school family and she was grateful for putting her husband in his leadership role.

Another person responded today and said they felt privileged to be in a position to help; they thanked me for thinking of them.

2 Co. 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Christian Generosity "Works"

For some people, being generous is a not a natural act. They (we) share because the Bible tells us to share - so it must be right and good for us. Some people are so awed by the amazing grace shown to us on the Cross of Calvary that generosity is the natural expression of gratitude and love.

If, then, generosity is Biblical and good for us, what are the specific blessings that we experience and that we can share with our donor friends? In other words, how does generosity work?

1. Generosity is brilliant because it changes our lives. People who give generously feel great about it and find themselves blessed in ways they never expected. Great things happen for the giver and the receiver - bi-lateral blessings if you will. Jesus confirmed this in Acts 20:25 (more blessed to give than to receive). Proverbs 11:25 tells us "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."

2. Generosity connects us with others. When people are generous and gracious, they exude love and happiness. That type of kindness is very attractive to others. Also, when we give it makes us draw closer to the one we are blessing. If we allow this behavior to continue we become empathic and we realize that we have even more to share.

3. Generosity helps us invest in what matters. Generosity causes us to invest in high-yield instruments, the lives of others. Spiritually, generosity protects us from short-sighted, bad investments of our time, out talent, and our treasure and creates long-term wealth. In a sense, everything we do is an investment. How we do our "sowing and reaping" is a function of our maturity. Again, Jesus taught us about this in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:19-24) where He instructs us about investing where moths and rust so not destroy.

4. Generosity frees our hearts. "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This is the reason Jesus gives to invest wisely and for eternity. Money is the mirror of our heart before God. The checkbook is the visible manifestation of this reality. When asked about my stewardship work, I will say (with a smile), "my job is to relieve people from the burden of wealth." Having less simplifies life and allows us to spend more time listening to God's leading.

These are some benefits that we can have in mind as we help people see the "genius of generosity".

Donor Growth and Maturity - Conformer and Individual

Wes Wilmer in his book God and Your Stuff: The Vital Link Between Your Possessions and Your Soul describes the stages of maturity of the donor as he or she grows closer and closer to the mind of God in terms of possessions and giving.

The six categories:

1. Imitator


2. Modeler


3. Conformer


4. Individual


5. Generous Giver


6. Mature Steward

Today, we will review the middle two stages:

Stage 3: Conformer

Faith Characteristics: Faith becomes a basis for love, acceptance,and identity; involves most aspects of life and is shaped mainly by relationships. Faith does not yet form a cohesive "philosophy of life."

Evidence in Use of Possessions: Gives because it is the thing to do. Like recognition, tax benefits, and other personal gain from giving.

My thoughts: Again, this individual would rather be on the "right" side than run the risk of being wrong. The emphasis is still on "me" on not others. A measured approach.

Stage4: Individual

Faith Characteristics: Begins to "own" one's faith. Faith is less defined by others as one becomes able to personally examine and question one's beliefs.

Evidence in Use of Possessions: Starts to give in proportion to the what God has given. Danger of becoming prideful regarding giving or giving for the wrong motives. Wonders why others don't give more.

My thoughts: "Gets it" individually, but is still looking around at others. Knows where gifts comes from and acknowledges that, but can get become a little judgemental toward others.

As you can imagine the last installment will describe the kinds of donors we all seek to be. Before we assume that we have "arrived", let us bow our knees and ask what more we need to learn.

Growing and Maturing Donors - Imitators and Modelers

Last week I met with a generous donor who loves the school. Instead of asking for a gift or a pledge, I asked him to tell me about why he gives. He said, "No one has ever asked me that before".

Questions like this and others (see the previous blog post) cause our donor friends to think more deeply. His answer reflected his recognition of God's blessings and his passion for the kind of education his children are receiving.

Today I want to share the wonderful work of Wes Wilmer, V.P of ECFA and author of God and Your Stuff: The Vital Link Between Your Possession and Your Soul. In it, he describes the correlation of soul maturity and use of possessions in six stages.

1. Imitator


2. Modeler


3. Conformer


4. Individual


5. Generous Giver


6. Mature Steward

Stage 1: Imitator

• Faith Characteristics: Like a child, is marked by imagination and influenced by stories and examples of others


• Evidence in Use of Possessions: Is able to mimic the examples of others in giving when shown or instructed.


• My thoughts: This is where we find the new donor, not really sure about the theology or rationale for giving, but knows instinctively that it's right thing to do.

Stage 2: Modeler

• Faith Characteristics: Takes beliefs and moral rules literally. Perception of God is largely formed by friends.


• Evidence in Use of Possessions: Gives specifically when given an example to follow.


• My thoughts: These donors are the "go to" who don't need an explanation, they just need the destination and some guidance in how and how much to give.

Most of our donors will fall into these two categories. Later this week we will discuss the other four so we can learn how the Lord grows us in our giving maturity.

Asking Donors the Money Questions

Donors, like all followers of Christ, are in different stages in their walk and maturity about money. Some are very new (childlike in the scriptures) and they are imitators in that they follow the example of others.

We will explore these levels in a subsequent blog when we look at the good work of Wes Wilmer.

In the meantime, however, we meet with people and we should have some basic conversations about money with them. We can and should ask:

• "Do you give to your local church?"
  


• "What other ministries or causes do you contribute to?" and "What is it about their mission and work that causes you to support them?"


• "What motivates you to give so faithfully?"

These are not asked to manipulate or to paint someone into a corner; it is so we can get to know them so that we have our conversation at the right level. Again, we cannot give milk drinkers solid food until they are ready.

Remember, Jesus was unashamed to talk about giving as He "sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put," in Mark 12:41-44, in order to teach his disciples the difference between giving out of one's surplus and giving sacrificially. He was not timid talking about money and giving, and neither should we be. Jesus loved asking questions, not because He did not know the answers, but to get people to think.

It comes back to our motivation. Are we asking these to induce shame or guilt? Or, we are asking so that our donor friends think through the rationale for why they do what they do?

The way we think about donors impacts how we pray for and encourage them.

Lord, give me your heart for this fellow saint. Amen.

The Legacy of Generous Giving

I am thankful for national Christian leaders like the National Christian Foundation (NCF) who helps donors with planned and other significant giving. What follows is compliments of NCF and reprinted with their permission.

According to a recent study by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, teenagers report that their parents are the biggest influence on whether they give their time or money to non-profit charities.

Do you know what teen givers say their parents do?

Here are the top ten parenting techniques that separate giving teens from non-giving teens, in their own words:

1. They explained how I can help other people by my actions.



2. They encouraged me to speak up in family discussions.



3. They spoke to me about the volunteering and giving they do.



4. They supported me on things I cared about.



5. They told me why they were proud when I did good things.



6. They encouraged me to be my own person.



7. They set goals for me to achieve.



8. They spoke to me about the way my actions made other people feel.



9. They taught me to always consider other people’s views.



10. They explained the importance of giving to others.

Even though we do not see a thread of Christian generosity in this list, imagine how much more potent this teaching can be when we tie it to the work of Christ on the cross as He purchased eternal life for us.

As we talk to our donor friends, here are two more questions we can pose: "How do you inculcate your generosity to your children? What are some of the disciplines that you employ to make giving a way of life and not just a grudging obligation?"

Generous Giving - the Story within the Story

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

"And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will."

Look at these poor people giving their money away - they even ask for the privilege of doing so! What did these Macedonians have that we don't have?

I think they asked the right question first. They did not ask "How much shall I give?", but must have realized that the preceding question "Who is the real owner of everything I have?". Maybe, the question is upstream from there. More foundational: "Who owns me?"

That's the real question we have to ask ourselves and our donor friends. We cannot meet with people and we beat around the bush to see how generous they are feeling before we do the "ask".

As I compiled the year-end statistics I learned that the Lord brought in almost 40% more than last year. As wonderful as this overall number is, there are wonderful stories behind this:

• The new family that didn't think they could afford the tuition and they gave a big gift


• The donor with no children but sees this school as critical for our area and wants to scholarship a student


• The non-Christian couple who loves our school and volunteers in many ways - they gave generously


• The grandparents who increased their giving by 40%

Each one of these is a reason to celebrate God's goodness. Let's make sure we don't lose these precious gems while we gaze at the whole jewelry case.

Fundraising Success by Connecting Faith

Two months ago I met with newer school family who had given a small annual fund gift in December. The family was thrilled with how their child was doing in the school and is grateful to the Lord for leading them to our school. They have become regular volunteers and are present at all school functions.

However, it was only seven months earlier when the parents were concerned that they could afford the tuition, much less the younger siblings who were not school age yet.

Throughout the school year, God blessed their private business and grew it to the point that they gave me permission to speak to them about a larger year-end gift. When we met together we looked back over the year and marveled at God's abundant provisions to their family that is now totally committed to Christian schooling. In the span of a few months, they went from "can we afford tuition?" to "how can we say thanks for the blessings?".

So, I encouraged the family to pray about a gift that reflects their thankfulness. I promised not to ask again, but that I would pray for them as they sought the Spirit's leading in how to respond.

The result? This week we received a gift that was almost 6 times their first gift! When I called to thank the father he told me that they feel very good about this act of worship (giving).

Further, he said that they believe this is just the beginning of giving larger and more frequent gifts.

We are called to help people connect faith and finances for their growth and God's glory.

Developing Generosity in Givers

This morning my friend, Gary Hoag ( Generosity Monk ) gave me a pointed reminder from Peter Marshall: How much should I give?

“Give according to your income lest God make your income according to your giving.”
Peter Marshall (1940-2010), cf. 2 Corinthians 8:11-12. Quoted in Handbook for Christian Living by Charles F. Stanley (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2008), p. 551.”

As a stewardship officer I am asking people to respond to God's love through Christ's death by returning to him in proportion.

How do we give back to the One who gives Eternal Life? What does that mean in terms of giving the tithe and offerings?

On one hand I don't know where to begin; God owns it all and I owe Him everything. On the other hand, he only requires the tithe. So, we've narrowed down giving to somewhere between ten and a hundred percent.

So, how do we do define generosity? I have suggested giving past the point of pain and to the point of joy. Still kind of nebulous, right?

I know of a local person who increased his giving by five percent each year until he gave seventy five percent and used twenty five for himself.

Then there is R.G. LeTourneau, a famous manufacturer of earth-moving equipment who gave much more that he took in and established an excellent technical university in Texas.

How much is generous? I can't say, but you'll know it when you see it.

Malachi 3:10

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Was the Fundraiser a Success?

It depends. How do you measure "success"?

If success equals raising the Annual Fund, then it was not a success. If success means that every school family filled out pledge card or gave a gift, we weren't successful there, either.

Okay, did you get some big lead gift or more? Yes, sort of. We had a family pledge $10,000 This will be their first major gift and it represents some good spiritual growth in the father.

What else? Of the school families who pledged or contributed, all but one were new families to the school - that is exciting that the new families are catching the vision early.

One of the new donors is a young single woman who makes a very modest salary, but she is totally on board with the style of Christian education (classical) and sees the potential of students being educated in this environment. Her first gift was $250, very significant for someone at her station in life.

Lastly, in my "ask" I told our guests that we SHOULD give because we NEED to give. I explained that our gratitude to God for eternal life purchased by Christ must have a way of being expressed. Giving gifts is an important part of our responding with thankful hearts. Thankful hearts lead to generous giving. Generous giving is stewardship in action and leads to Kingdom building (treasure in heaven).

In conclusion, the evening was a success because Christ was held high and His people were encouraged to love Him and walk with him deeply.

Matthew 6:25-33

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Sailing and Stewardship

One of the first things I learned when I started sailing small boats was that, while I should have our destination in sight, I may not be able to sail straight to it. Winds, currents and other conditions demand that we may have to "tack", or sail in diagonal directions to eventually arrive at the destination.

Development and stewardship is, in many ways, similar. We must tack in building and developing relationships. I see this in two areas:

1. The Lord wants us to pray and to rely on Him. If He makes the process the "cause and effect" as we find on the transactional world, where is our faith? If it is a linear process, then we reduce the process to "this many visits or appeals" equals this many dollars. So, we just get better at turning the crank on the find raising machine.


2. On the higher level, there are people and organizations that we can and should bless, and there is no immediate return or connection with the goal of raising funds. Here, we need to see that we stewards need to be available to the King to be used in a way that advances His Kingdom. Most of us do not have vast sums of cash wealth, but we have much to share with others. Who knows, maybe we can even help them with their fund raising!

The sailing analogy breaks down a little because, in development, we may not be able to see the destination that the Lord has for us. However, we can watch the prevailing winds (the Spirit) and sail in the direction He points.

The results are His after all; to God be the Glory.

The Generous Giver

Charles Stanley has recently released a marvelous post which is copied below:

June 7

A Cheerful Giver

2 Corinthians 9:6-12

God loves a cheerful giver because He Himself is one. He wants the bounty that He pours out on His children to overflow toward others. Sadly, many people treat their wealth more like a personal reservoir than a divine channel. The reservoir mentality treats wealth as a means to provide solely for one's own family, goals, and desires; money for God's work is given reluctantly.

The stingy person figures that as long as he offers something, it shouldn't matter that he'd rather not.

However, attitude is vital. To God, the state of a believer's heart is more important than his or her actions (Hos. 6:6). Lukewarm giving is a signal that we aren't fully engaged in seeing the Lord's work done. We'd rather ensure our own security. What surprises the tightfisted believer is that God does not fill a reservoir.

Even people who appear affluent never feel that they have enough. True contentment comes with accepting that our wealth—however limited—belongs to the Lord and is sufficient for our needs. As soon as we understand that, our reservoir bursts its banks to become part of God's divine channel. As He pours in, we cheerfully pour out with full confidence that He will provide for both our needs and our gifts.

The Lord's ultimate plan does not include making all of His children prosperous. His purpose is to make every one of us generous with all that we have—wealth, compassion, knowledge, etc. Cheerful giving is courageous giving because we have to trust that the Lord will provide.

Christian Stewardship and the Expectant Heart

The school where I work has an end-of-the-year "mini" campaign to raise the balance of the Annual Fund.

In organizing this work, we enlisted a parent to chair the campaign and thirteen Class Captains to pray for each class and to follow up to encourage 100% participation from the other parents.

I don't know what the Lord will do with our specific financial goals, but even now I can see some of the marvelous work He has begun:

1. Several parents have expressed their confidence in what the Lord will do for the school and are praying
2. A parent visited me this morning and told me she thinks she will will write a "missionary letter" to her congregation and ask them to support this school that ministers to unbelievers
3. A set of grandparents who are willing to tell their story so that other grandparents will be motivated to give to the campaign
4. Another meeting this morning with a Classroom Captain who said that our conversation helped her enlarge her vision for the school. She said she will urge her husband to do more than they first thought.

That's the role of the stewardship officer. We are to be seed planters, vision casters, gift revealers, and faith encouragers. In doing this work, we trust the Holy Spirit to do the "heavy lifting" of moving in hearts so that His people desire to release generously into the Kingdom role He has for us.

Eph. 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

A Reason to Give Generously

Philippians 4:10-19


I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.


I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.


I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.


I can do everything through him who gives me strength.


Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.


Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.


Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.


I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.


Recently, my school had the kick-off of the Annual Fund campaign, a drive to raise $150,000. I had the privilege of inviting guests to consider a Kingdom investment into Tall Oaks Classical School ( http://www.talloaksclassicalschool.org/ ) that would impact the educational lives of hundreds of young people.


Armed with this superior training these young people go on to be witnesses for Christ in the many endeavors of their lives, professionally, in families, and in the community.


This argument for giving is the "value proposition" and it is good place to start as donors are considering where they should give.


It was and is freeing to be able to invite people to give because it is also good for them to give. I do not have to single-handedly raise the funds. The One who owns the cattle on a thousand hills will provide. That position allows us fundraisers to be grateful receivers of these gifts.


Paul is encouraging generous giving so that "it may be credited to their (heavenly) account". He knows from where his help comes and knows that his needs will be met.

How about our own school or ministry? Are we trusting the Lord to provide so that we can minister to others in the grace of giving? As we encourage our friends to give as they have been given we are helping them to become "conduits of blessing" where riches are passed through, not bottled up where they will become stagnant and useless.

Let's not let the calendar or fiscal year dictate how we interact with fellow believers. If we believe our theology about God's timing and His sovereignty we have the freedom to walk alongside and be the ministers of stewardship God has called us to be.

The Millionaire (Donor) Next Door

In recent conversations with other development officers, I hear the this popular refrain, "If we just find the wealthy donor who is waiting for us to show up with our compelling story..."

It probably goes without saying, but this situation does not exist. Wealthy people who are ready to give are already seeking out opportunities to give and already have an idea of the kinds of ministries they are interested in supporting. Also, there are no wealthy people who feel guilty about their wealth such that they are looking for place to assuage their guilt.

Instead, I encourage ministry leaders to look at the people who are already involved with the ministry. Sadly, we assume that a person's current level of involvement is all there will ever be. So, a donor who volunteers a few hours per month and give $50 each month may not be on the radar screen.

This is a problem in several ways. First, we need to honor and thank everyone who God brings to support the ministry work. Secondly, we may be missing an opportunity to help those who are supportive to become even more engaged.

Here are four questions that might be helpful in going to the next level:

1. Tell me how you got involved with us? What was it that first attracted you to our work?

2. What do you see today? How is that different than what first got you involved?

3. What do you see for our future? In three years, what could see the Lord doing here?

4. How do you see yourself participating in this future? Are we utilizing your gifts as fully as we can? How can we do this better?

By "going deeper" with our donor-friends we are being good stewards of our time; not going after new donors while there are current friends we can get to know better.

Try this and let me know what you think of this approach.

The "Giving Blessing"

Acts 20:35 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

If you ask a child what is the most exciting part of Christmastime, they will likely answer - 'getting presents'. That perspective agrees with our own memories of Christmas.

As we grow older, however, we come to see that there is more fulfillment found in the deeper meaning of life.

The deeper level of fulfillment in life is not found in what we get but what we give. Children, of course, cannot understand this - how could anything be better than getting good gifts?

But, as every parent and grandparent knows, there is no gift we could ever receive that exceeds the joy of watching the bubbling enthusiasm of your own children (or grandchildren) wildly tear open a box and squeal with glee as they delight in its contents. Then come the kisses and hugs from grateful recipients. That's a recipe for pleasant memories!

Why should it be any different with the wealth with which God has blessed us? If we or our donors miss the deeper joy of giving then we are stuck trying to derive satisfaction from material wealth that we try to hold on to.

As encouragers of Kingdom giving, let us remind our donor-friends of this generosity-induced blessing. And, let us share in this wonderful joy.

The giving of good gifts, however large or small, reminds us of the greatest gift ever given: the gift of eternal life from the Father through the Son.