Galatians 6:7-10
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers."
There are (at least) two frustrating dimensions in development:
1. Having so many rejections when you are in the middle of doing so much to raise funds - planting seeds.
2. Having those you report to get frustrated because the money is not coming fast enough - this is the "long germination" syndrome.
There is always a delay between sowing and reaping. Farmers and gardeners will experience a lot of anxiety, watching over the dormant seeds for weeks and weeks.
But, it always comes up. We will see the fruit and benefits "come up". Paul is reminding us not to lose heart - we are called to persevere even when the odds or conditions are stacked against us.
What is "doing good" sowing? In verse 10 we are told to "do good" to all people, but especially Christians. This phrase is very sweeping and comprehensive. It means that we are not confined to evangelism and discipling; loving is larger than that. It means seeing a need and meeting it, as it is in our power to do so. Alleviating pain and comforting are examples.
How does this help me in my development goals? Paul does not tell us; he leaves us to guess. Maybe we are to "discover" the benefits of such a lifestyle. In the short run, such a life entails a tremendous number of sacrifices. You bind your heart up emotionally to people who may have no intention or ability to respond in kind. You may miss other "more profitable" relationships where the giving ground is more fertile.
Here are some benefits. Lives are changed, and we may even be thanked. Second, we may have been used to be a soothing balm in a family. Third, we may see those who burdens we have carried become burden bearers.
If we do not only measure our sowing by outward success, we will find our own character changed deeply through ministry. Our consciences will be clear and hearts happy since we are less self-indulgent. We develop a less selfish and more faithful character which serves us well under pressure.
Even under the pressure of raising funds.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
How do we measure development success?
The Greatest Commandment - Matthew 12:28-34
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.
To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
Spring is the time for fund-raising events. My school has its major event this week.
Even before the event transpires, there is peace and joy about the outcomes. Why?
All the "hard work" in developing the relationships has already occurred; the event is the "dessert" that punctuates the relationship with the school. Yes, we fret over the logistics and the presentations, but the fruit is the growing connection with the school as we share the story of our mission and let the Holy Spirit make the connections.
But, what about the money? Isn't this a fund-raiser? Oh, yes, and the Lord has already brought in $9,000 in corporate contributions more than the cost. So, any gifts received will be designated for scholarship for needy families.
A friend reminded me recently that real stewardship cannot happen without love. That love is expressed by the giver because he or she has experienced the truest love from the Father through the Son.
We measure development success by dollars raised or pledged and, sadly, stop there. What if we could see the hearts of the new friends that we made or the old friends who were so blessed through the event? How would these count toward "the goal"?
I'm not sure, either, but we cannot ignore these dividends in light of the commandment "to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
When you think of your most significant relationships or interactions, what comes to mind? Hopefully, you are thinking of someone who came alongside and loved you and encouraged you in your walk with Christ. Did they spur you to see your life as a gift from God that is to be used for His glory? Did they encourage you to live victoriously and confidently?
Can the "wealth of friends" be a contribution to our schools? Yes, and giving will follow those passions that the Lord ignited.
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.
To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
Spring is the time for fund-raising events. My school has its major event this week.
Even before the event transpires, there is peace and joy about the outcomes. Why?
All the "hard work" in developing the relationships has already occurred; the event is the "dessert" that punctuates the relationship with the school. Yes, we fret over the logistics and the presentations, but the fruit is the growing connection with the school as we share the story of our mission and let the Holy Spirit make the connections.
But, what about the money? Isn't this a fund-raiser? Oh, yes, and the Lord has already brought in $9,000 in corporate contributions more than the cost. So, any gifts received will be designated for scholarship for needy families.
A friend reminded me recently that real stewardship cannot happen without love. That love is expressed by the giver because he or she has experienced the truest love from the Father through the Son.
We measure development success by dollars raised or pledged and, sadly, stop there. What if we could see the hearts of the new friends that we made or the old friends who were so blessed through the event? How would these count toward "the goal"?
I'm not sure, either, but we cannot ignore these dividends in light of the commandment "to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
When you think of your most significant relationships or interactions, what comes to mind? Hopefully, you are thinking of someone who came alongside and loved you and encouraged you in your walk with Christ. Did they spur you to see your life as a gift from God that is to be used for His glory? Did they encourage you to live victoriously and confidently?
Can the "wealth of friends" be a contribution to our schools? Yes, and giving will follow those passions that the Lord ignited.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Zacchaeus and financial commitment
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.
He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' "
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
In the past I have challenged the development officer (or minister of stewardship) to seek the "bi-lateral" blessing in the asking for a gift. It is bi-lateral when the steward (donor) experiences blessing from God as they respond to His call on their lives and (temporary) possessions and the school who received the gift is blessed as well.
This is the transformational giving that begins the "whole life stewardship" that we will speak to in the future.
Until confronted with the truth about himself, Zacchaeus was self-sufficient and in total control of his money.
He obeyed Jesus and got of the tree, encountered Jesus as a guest in his house, and then responded mightily with his treasure.
Jesus clearly ties the Gospel transformation to Zachaeus' response, "Today salvation has come to this house,..."
This is a vivid example of how and why we fund-raisers must link the Gospel to giving. If we merely solicit a gift for the good of the school, we miss the spiritual dimension of giving. Giving is an act of worship and it reflects God's grip on our life.
We do not want to assuage someones guilt for having too much money, nor do we want to puff someone up who "graces us" with a large gift. The Kingdom must always be in view and the Lord cares deeply about our motivations for giving, not just the act.
If we can ask for gifts and help the donor see the Kingdom impact, we are becoming the ambassadors of Christ that He calls us to be.
Let's think about "linkages" the next time we seek funds.
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.
He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' "
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
In the past I have challenged the development officer (or minister of stewardship) to seek the "bi-lateral" blessing in the asking for a gift. It is bi-lateral when the steward (donor) experiences blessing from God as they respond to His call on their lives and (temporary) possessions and the school who received the gift is blessed as well.
This is the transformational giving that begins the "whole life stewardship" that we will speak to in the future.
Until confronted with the truth about himself, Zacchaeus was self-sufficient and in total control of his money.
He obeyed Jesus and got of the tree, encountered Jesus as a guest in his house, and then responded mightily with his treasure.
Jesus clearly ties the Gospel transformation to Zachaeus' response, "Today salvation has come to this house,..."
This is a vivid example of how and why we fund-raisers must link the Gospel to giving. If we merely solicit a gift for the good of the school, we miss the spiritual dimension of giving. Giving is an act of worship and it reflects God's grip on our life.
We do not want to assuage someones guilt for having too much money, nor do we want to puff someone up who "graces us" with a large gift. The Kingdom must always be in view and the Lord cares deeply about our motivations for giving, not just the act.
If we can ask for gifts and help the donor see the Kingdom impact, we are becoming the ambassadors of Christ that He calls us to be.
Let's think about "linkages" the next time we seek funds.
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