Fundraising: A Beautiful Activity?
“And then I learned that the Levites hadn’t been given their regular food allotments. So the Levites and singers who led the services of worship had all left and gone back to their farms. I called the officials on the carpet, ‘Why has The Temple of God been abandoned?’ I got everyone back again and put them back on their jobs so that all Judah was again bringing in the tithe of grain, wine, and oil to the storerooms.”
Royston Koh (second from right) and Pak Teguh (third from right) coach Indonesian Navigator staff in biblical fundraising over coffee in Bandung.
Learning that the Levites had forsaken their roles in the temple and were working on their farms, Nehemiah was furious that the worship of Yahweh had deteriorated. Why weren’t the Levites working in the temple?
They weren’t paid for their work in the temple because of shortage of funds. But Nehemiah confronted the leaders to re-establish that “all Judah was again bringing in the tithe .…”
Indonesian Navstaff Pak Teguh, with whom I zoom monthly, is helping his fellow Navigator staff in fundraising. The goal of fundraising coaching is to help empower each staff to receive full support to meet personal, family and ministry needs. Pak Teguh remarked, “Sharing vision and opportunity to give is a ministry as it allows the giver an avenue to worship God. And their collaboration will increase the Kingdom.”
Many missionaries staff struggle with asking for support. My role as a coach is to direct them to the Bible and help them overcome obstacles. I enjoy seeing the smile on their faces when they discover through Bible study that asking is not begging. Biblical fundraising is the noble task of inviting friends to partner with you in the ministry of extending God’s kingdom. This new perspective frees and emboldens mission workers. Fundraising then becomes a joyful activity because it is advancing the gospel.
After the study, a staff concluded:
“God can provide everything for His work by Himself. But he wants others to be involved. The benefit is for both givers and receivers. As receivers, we need to build deep relationships with our giving partners.”
This quote brings out a fundamental error. Many believers think that “full-timers” (the clergy) do the work of God, and givers (the laity) are simply supporters. However, biblically we see that it takes both givers and receivers working in partnership to effect His work. Yes, we need Levites—“full-timers.” And Yes, we need “all Judah” as well. Both work together to see that the worship of God is in place.
Givers short change themselves if they view their giving as anything less than building the work of God.
A beautiful thing
“Fundraising is a very rich and beautiful activity. It is a confident, joyful and hope-filled expression of ministry. In ministering to each other, each from the riches that he or she possesses, we work together for the full coming of God’s kingdom.”
Similarly, the Apostle Paul describes generous giving as “a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:18b) Wow! Imagine you and me bringing a smile to the face of our Heavenly Father. Isn’t that motivational enough to give?
Whatever brings a smile to the face of God must certainly be a beautiful thing.
Royston Koh, International Funding Coach, The Navigators Singapore
Royston and his wife, Sin Yow, joined the Singapore Navigator staff in 1979. They have served in administration and Church discipleship ministries. Royston’s focus is now enabling both Navstaff and organisation to be adequately funded. He enjoys reading as a hobby.
