Never Do Fundraising Again

This post is Excerpted from Never Do Fundraising Again! © 2012 Relationship Resources

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Not long ago Joshua, a dear friend (and partner), called to talk about how hurt he was by a Christian  ministry. In the fifty-five years of our friendship, we had never seen him so downcast, pained and angry.

For many years, Joshua’s wife, Martha, had given generously and prayed fervently for her favorite ministry. After she died, Joshua sent a large gift in her memory, with a letter telling about Martha’s love for their work. When he received a letter from them, he eagerly opened the envelope, and was devastated that all he found was a sterile receipt—no acknowledgment whatever of Martha’s life, or that this was a gift in her memory. Joshua regretted every gift given, and said he would never give a penny to that ministry again. All he needed was one or two sentences, expressing gratitude for her faithful love for them. They lost all that support because of the lack of just one sentence.

An attitude of gratitude is so critical that, without it, most will be doomed to struggle financially.

God responds to a grateful heart. Giving thanks to Him is mentioned at least 125 times in the Bible! When we thank Him for His provision we glorify Him (2 Corinthians 4:15). He responds to our financial needs when we consistently thank Him for His financial provision, and for those whose hearts He has touched to be partners in the gospel.

He has created us in His image, to respond as He does. When we express our gratitude to others, they respond with prayer, giving and involvement. Our motivation for thanking God and people must not be to get them to respond, but an expression of our genuine gratitude.

Gratitude saturates Paul’s letter to the Philippians.We believe this must be the foundation stone of our relationship with our partners. It provides the motivation for how we relate to them. Paul begins by assuring them that he thanks God for them. Shouldn’t this be the first action of all gratitude, to thank God for His blessings?

We believe unexpressed or poorly communicated gratitude is the number one reason for low missionary support.

Blessings on you today and in the coming days.

Gaylyn Williams, Author of 2031 Names of God: Transform Your Life As You Get to Know God in New Ways

Co-author of Never Do Fundraising Again: A Paradigm Shift from Donors to Lifelong Partners. This is a great resource for any missionaries, short-term or long-term, who have to raise their support. Get a free sample by following the link above.

© 2019 Relationship Resources, Inc.