End-of-year giving decisions are made from December 10-31 in America. In other countries start-of-year financial plans are under consideration. What better time for your giving partners to keep you “top of mind” than now—at the end of one year and the beginning of another!

It was not Jesus who said the Pharisees were lovers of money. It was a parenthetical comment by Luke, who was stating what everyone already knew!

Guest Blog written by Myles Wilson

I spent a week recently with a mission organization in South Africa whose staff come from backgrounds ranging from economically deprived to comfortable middle class.  They wanted to explore examples in scripture where people were supported in God’s Kingdom work so that they could build funding models consistent with these principles.

One question that came up with was Should we use a straight line or a circle?

Guest Blog written by Myles Wilson

They asked if I’d help them explore examples in scripture where people were supported to be involved in God’s Kingdom work.

As we looked at 1 Kings 17, where God used ravens to provide for Elijah and then used the widow in Zarephath, one of the guys asked, What’s the widow got to do with it?  Why is she even in the story?

A mission leader asked me a great question this week. One of his top staff turns in excellent fundraising plans—his funding goal is clearly identified, and his Top 25 prospects are listed. But he never seems to act on the good work he has done in planning. He is successful when he makes appeals—but he never gets around to it.

The leader was perplexed. What is going on here?

Donors just told me they are stopping support. What do I do now?

If Jesus was poor—how poor? Homeless? An itinerant beggar? Or was He wealthy?

I have been meditating on the Lord’s prayer the last few days. Have you noticed that the Lord’s prayer is primarily asking? It contains six requests:

Our Father who is in heaven...

This week I received a note saying:

“I feel charged after a funding appointment, love it. BUT the management of database, emailing, texting, phone calling to get one appointment, drains me.”

Our friend is not alone. Many gospel-workers long to accomplish big things, but little administrative things kill their joy. I get it. That’s when Zechariah 4:10 helps me...