Fellowship - Lesson 19 - Fundraising

Fellowship – Fundraising

Lesson 19: Fundraising

Introduction

Many when you speak to them concerning fundraising will automatically think that money is what is required, and Africans do not have much of that. The automatic reaction is to conclude that we cannot do an activity unless a European intervenes and pays for it. There is then the thought that there is very little chance that a European is going to help us, so we just give up on the idea or become desperate. Often this pattern ends in a resentment and jealousy for our European Brethren and Sisters who seem to have so much when we have nothing. Worse still, that anger that is felt may be pointed at God. By the end of this article it is hoped that it will be realized that this way of thinking is quite wrong in every aspect, and entirely non-Biblical.

Our Heavenly Father knows

First let us start by talking about our Heavenly Father. Each saint has his or her circumstances, God-designed to ensure that nothing is lacking to enable that preparation to prepare them for the Kingdom. So each day will have its opportunities, its trials, its problems, and our Father and Christ will watch each one of us, at times, we trust, with pleasure and satisfaction but at times, we know, with sorrow. But it is important that we should put aside all doubts, all depression and look forward with eager anticipation to the coming days and months of the year. Let our faith and our works demonstrate clearly that we are truly disciples and companions of Christ, as were those first century disciples. This we can be, whether we are sixteen or ninety, well or ill, for our heavenly Father knows every thought and the desire of every heart.

We turn to the first moments of discipleship of the twelve. The facts are stated with extreme brevity and simplicity. Turn again to Mt. 4:18: “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Verse 22: “And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.” It was for them just another ordinary day that begun, just the everyday scene repeating itself: the quietness of the seashore, the sound of the water, the movement of the boats, the activity of the fishermen, each one busy with his nets, with his boats. And then the quiet approach of Jesus. No shouting or pleading, nothing dramatic or theatrical; just “Follow me.” He gave them no extravagant promises. It was weeks later that Peter asked: “What shall we have, therefore?” They did not argue or bargain with him or stipulate conditions of services; there were no contracts or holiday arrangements, no overtime promises.

It was unquestioned and immediate obedience that was asked for and given. “They straightway left their nets, and followed him.” They left all worldly assets, their homes, their families. This was—and is—the only standard of real discipleship. But our circumstances are so very different. It is almost impossible to see ourselves as such disciples. We are more like—we hope we are more like Martha and Mary and Lazarus. Grandfathers, grandmothers, elderly, middle-aged, teenagers, with family homes. When we heard the Truth we obeyed it in baptism, and then we went back to the security of our homes and to our way of life.

Yet our call is just as real and our response needs to be just as positive as was theirs. In place of physical association and companionship with Jesus our following is a conscious, uncomplaining association with the Word of God, with its requirements, those commands that require obedience, a continuous striving to copy the characters of which Christ and God approve.

The gospel record of Matthew tells of disciples and discipleship acceptable to our heavenly Father and that will see those men leaders in the Kingdom. They followed the perfect qualities displayed by Christ as a leader. When Jesus called those two brothers, Simon and Andrew, to leave everything and follow him, he did not demand from them impossible tasks, some herculean task. They were ordinary, humble men and the call to follow and accompany the Son of God was what was required. Because they had been with him in his temptations his Father appointed unto them a Kingdom. That is what Christ wanted, just friendship as it were, just someone to accompany him, to share his trials, and this they did.

There was nothing hesitant or half-hearted in their obedience. Looking back, or asking for time would have been fatal. Theirs was a positive, conscious, full-time service as disciples. Ours is no less real but faith is required to see it.

Our heavenly Father knows what things we “have need of, before [we] ask Him” (Matthew 6:8), and He will direct our steps in the attainment of them in the ways best suited to our needs as His children. “Meanwhile,” says Bro. Roberts, “it is ours to pray, and in faith commit our way to God; it is not our privilege to receive explicit guidance as in the case of David... Our wisdom is to recognize the exact measure of our privileges, and embrace them to the full.”

If God withholds His hand, we can be sure that it is for our benefit; and we like the disciples must obediently follow.

Are Africans poor?

This may seem like a silly question. You might answer, “of course they are”. If we are talking purely about per capita income, then this is entirely true. Comparing the GDP in 2019 between Tanzania and United States the average American will earn 65 times more than the average Tanzanian. So in purely monitory terms the African is poorer.

However, such things need to be put in context. To buy a cup of coffee in New York will cost the man in the street almost 1,000 times more than it would cost in Tanzania. The average American will get ten days off work a year, and work a 50 hour week. So, whilst earning 65 times as much, they can actually only afford to buy a tenth of what a Tanzanian can. And, what price do you put on your time? In many respects the Amercian can be described as poor too.

All this being said, there is no doubt that an African leads a hard life in comparison to an American. The context though, should not be thought of in terms of the African being poor; we should think in terms of our being different. We possess different things. If we were to share what we have on a basis of both sides benefiting then everyone gains.

What has always been the problem with aide is that it tends to be very one sided. The African purely takes, they tend not to give back in return.

Paul quotes Jesus in Acts, “It’s more blessed to give than receive” (Acts 20:35). If pressed, we generally believe it—or we think we do.

We struggle with believing that giving is better than getting, and why wouldn’t we? Acquiring and hoarding are part of our broken nature. We love the security of having stuff. We’re a disposable culture addicted to the emotional boost of buying something new.

And what about non-economic forms of giving? Do we really believe giving attention, encouragement, and compliments are better than being on the receiving end?

Here are 20 reasons why giving is better than receiving:

1. Giving is how God demonstrates his love for us

John 3:16 is one of the most well-known verses of all time. It says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

In the very presence of Jesus, God demonstrates that He is love—and love gives. If we truly want to be like Jesus, we’ll give.

2. Giving makes you happy

There have been many studies about the happiness level of people who gave money to charities or volunteered their time. Across the board, these studies always seem to point at the happiness of people who give.

It was found in a 2002 survey by the National Opinion Research Center’s General Social Survey that 43 percent of people who gave blood two or three times a year were very happy, as opposed to the 29 percent who didn’t.

3. Giving communicates something important about our worldview

Psalm 50:10 says, “For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.” This beautifully reveals the sovereignty of God and His ultimate ownership of every resource.

Our hoarding communicates a belief that there’s only so much to go around and, if we don’t get it, someone else will. There isn’t room for faith that God is able to supply us with what we need.

4. Giving is the way God blesses others

When God was talking to Abram about creating a nation that would be his, the point was always about being a blessing to others. He tells Abram, “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing” (Gen. 12:2).

God doesn’t often drop His providence out of the sky. He blesses us so that we will be able to bless others.

5. Giving helps us live longer

The journal Health Psychology published a study in 2012 that found that people who regularly volunteer live longer. But there was a catch—it had to be for unselfish reasons.

If you volunteered for any reason beyond the joy of giving, it didn’t have the same long-term health benefits.

6. Giving joyfully makes God happy

Paul spells it out for us: “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 8:1). That’s pretty self-explanatory. When we give as joyful expression, it delights our Maker.

7. Giving increases our social connectedness

It makes sense that when we give to others, they feel closer to us. What we might not realize is that giving to others makes us feel closer to them, too.

In her book ,The How of Happiness, Sonja Lyubormirsky writes, “Being kind and generous leads you to perceive others more positively and more charitably, and this fosters a heightened sense of interdependence and cooperation in your social community.”

8. Giving is an act of obedience

While God doesn’t want us to give out of compulsion (2 Cor. 9:7), He does want us to give. In fact, Jesus encourages us to give to everyone who asks of us (Lk. 6:30). That’s a pretty sobering statement.

9. Giving is contagious

The “pay it forward” idea isn’t a myth. It’s a fact. When people experience a generous kindness, they’re more apt to treat others with the same sort of benevolence.

In a combined study between the University of California, San Diego, and Harvard, the first laboratory evidence was found that showed how cooperative behavior is infectious. It spreads through social networks.

10. Giving gives your life meaning

There is often a disconnect between who we think or say we are, and who we actually are. Now, many people would say that they’re not selfish, but they still make decisions based on what is ultimately best for them.

It isn’t until you actually become generous that you can say that giving is important to you. Once you do, you’ll find that it begins to define you more profoundly than you previously thought possible.

11. Giving battles depression

One contributing aspect to cycles of depression is the feeling of isolation. Studies have shown that volunteering and giving to others helps combat self-hatred.

12. Giving puts God “in our debt”

In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells us, “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward” (Matt. 10:42). The fact that God is keeping tabs down to glasses of water given in His name should be pretty motivating.

The writer of Proverbs says it in even more emphatic language, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed” (Prov. 19:17). God in your debt. Ponder that a second.

13. Giving increases our confidence

One critical element to a poor self-image is constant focus on ourselves and our state of being. Self-preoccupation breeds a false self-understanding. Giving helps to move our focus away from us and on to others.

It’s great to have a strong sense of self-awareness, but that inner voice can be a constant force for criticism and negativity. Being generous not only changes where we’re placing the spotlight, but it helps give our brain a positive argument for why we’re not so bad.

14. Giving builds trust

When you give gifts to others, you are trusting that they will use the gift responsibly. If you’re like me, you’ve heard a lot of people say, “I can’t give a gift to that person, they’ll just waste it on [fill in the blank].”

Building up a history of generosity gives you plenty of stories where people did act responsibly. Generous people are generally optimistic people.

15. Giving makes you listen differently

Generous people tend to listen to people’s stories with the question, “Is there a way I can help?” The more they give, the more they hear a need or request behind someone’s story.

16. Giving makes you look at your resources differently

The more people give, the more they begin to see all of their resources as potential opportunities.

When they begin pressing themselves to be more altruistic, they’ll generally think in terms of money. As they are captured by a spirit of benevolence, they begin to see things like time, attention, praise, and the benefit of the doubt as tools of generosity.

17. Giving generates contentment

The Scripture says that the eyes of man are never satisfied (Prov. 27:20). This need to amass more and more is completely real.

People who are bitten by the generosity bug begin to see their own belongings differently. Seeing and responding to the needs of others helps create a sense of peace in their own desire for acquisition.

18. Giving promotes a universal good

A study at the University of Pennsylvania used a twist on a common game theory construct to prove that cooperative behavior is not only encouraged in a large group, but it pays off for everyone.

19. Giving helps create lasting relationships

A 2011 report from the National Marriage Project found that regular acts of generosity on behalf of spouses creates a harmony that serves the relationship in the long term. We’re talking about little acts of kindness like fetching a cup of coffee or offering a back rub.

20. Giving makes you likeable

Let’s be honest: When you’re a genuinely generous person, people find you trustworthy and kind—as long as it seems genuine and philanthropic. If it feels forced or manipulative, all bets are off.

It’s the right thing to do

Ultimately this list is all about how you can benefit from giving. On some level, that’s okay. When Jesus says, “It’s better to give than to receive,” He’s not making a statement about benefit.

We need to become generous people because it’s the right thing to do, not because we’ll benefit. But it sure is nice to know that when we do, we’re going to get quite a bit out of it.

See how God uses real-life people and circumstances to spark generosity in people and increase joy through giving.

So, I’m guessing that when you started to read this article you were thinking it would be all about how to get money. Well, how wrong, and un-Biblical that is. The Bible way of fundraising is concerned with our giving, cooperation, and serving one the other. How very amazing it is to think that we as Africans have something to give to the Europeans. We have so much that they do not have. Intrigued? Then read on...

Ask and it shall be given unto you

The scripture teaches that when you have a need then you should “ask and it shall be given to you” (Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9). I have been on the receiving end of Africans who think that because our Lord Jesus Christ said these words that I because I have white skin should give to them whatever they ask of me because they have dark skin. Is this what our Lord meant?

Firstly, our Lord Jesus Christ in the context was teaching his disciples how to pray. So the asking here is not talking about asking a European for money, it is about asking God for our needs. The context is “forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us” (Luke 11: 4).

Secondly, the context is “Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, friend, lend me three loaves” (Luke 11:5). At the time of Christ bread would be baked in a local community oven (often associated with the Synagogue, see lessons 2 , 3). So, the friend is a member of the local co-operative. In part, those loaves would belong to the person asking.

Thirdly, notice also, some key words and phrases - “lend” (Luke 11:5) – indicative that there is an intention to reciprocate the kindness; “I have nothing to set before him” (Luke 11:6) – indicative that this is not for self but so as to be able to give to another; “heavenly Father give” (Luke 11:13) – indicative that we should ask God not a European; “the Holy Spirit” (Luke 11:13) – indicative that Jesus is actually talking about understanding Gods Word, rather than literal bread i.e. the “bread that came from heaven” (Exodus 16:4); “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts” (Matthew 7:11) – indicating that this is talking about our giving, not our receiving.

Fourth, note that needs and wants are two entirely different things. Our Heavenly Father knows what we have need of (Matthew 6:32). Often those wants and desires that we have are opposites to what we have need of. We may want to not be hungry; but we may need the hunger to teach us a spiritual lesson. When we pray to God, and we ask Him for something, does He always give it to us immediately? No, because He knows what we need as opposed to what we desire. I often think of my earthly father in this respect. For so many years he suffered with sickness. We of course prayed that he might get well. But that sickness taught my father humility and humbleness. We all need to learn those lessons before we can enter into the kingdom. This is what is being taught in Mark chapter 6. We will recall that the disciples were battling their way across the lake in a storm. Jesus came to the disciples walking on the water. But very clearly it was not the intention of our Lord to stop. It was his intention to “pass them by” (Mark 6:48). It would have been better for the disciples if he had. Their faith was being tested at this time; and on this occasion they failed.

When we ask a European for anything, then the European may follow a similar pattern to what our Lord followed, and what our Father follows every time we ask. They will look upon the situation and ponder in their minds what is best for us. Should they give or not give. What is most likely to get us into the Kingdom. And we must do likewise; when anyone asks of us, stop first before giving. Will my action benefit the individual in the long term. Quick fixes will not get an individual into the Kingdom. Our giving may even get them cast out. And, our giving may get us cast out also.

Europeans will see your need

Our Heavenly Father knows what things we have need of before ever we ask of Him (Matthew 6:32); and likewise the European missionary almost definitely has the same perception. For this reason it is well worth asking yourself the important question of why the European has not given for my need. Do they not know about the need, or are they just mean and negligent in their duty; or do they see the need as just a want that if they give to me will put a stumbling-stone (Romans 9:32; 1 Peter 2:8) before me that will cause me to fall, and not enter into the Kingdom? Is my cause a righteous cause? Am I seeking the kingdom first? Could I raise the funds for this myself, without help? Am I deserving of their aide? What can I do to reciprocate their kindness?

Whoever we ask will:

• know our need before we ask

• have the needs of others to consider

• have our long term needs to manage

• want to help whether we are deserving or not (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Mark 6:39; Matthew 5:45-48; the parable of the good Samaritan)

• have to consider their own salvation

When you have considered all the possibilities, you may wish to change your request; you may even decide that asking is not such a great idea after-all.

Beware, sometimes you will be given what you ask for with the intention of teaching you a lesson. Sometimes that lesson will include you falling a very long way.

Not just money

Let us be clear, fundraising is not about money. Money is a means to an end. If you have a crowd of 100 hungry people at a Bible Study what you need is a nice hot cooked meal, you do not need money. You cannot eat money. And I would not think money (particularly Tanzanian money) is particularly wholesome or tasty. If you make a fire with money it would not burn for very long, and it certainly would not cook much.

Where does food come from? Even a child knows this. Meat comes from an animal. Vegetables are grown in the ground. Mother and Father cultivate the land, and given time there is a crop. The chickens forage for food. I (the child) collect water from the well. Father makes charcoal from cutting down trees. Mother cooks the meal. Did you hear any mention of money in all of that?

All the work, all the time, all the effort – it came from the family unit. In an Ecclesia we have a much bigger family unit. When the Ecclesial Family work together, it works in exactly the same way. We have an end goal “the meal”. Each person has their part to play. Cooperatively together the event is funded. Not with money, but with time, hard-work and effort (Ecclesiastes 5:12).

Planning

To make an Ecclesial event work; it all comes down to planning. Our “giving to the LORD” (Colossians 3:23) does not involve the sacrifice of animals, but it does involve personal involvement and personal sacrifice.

Let us continue our assessment of how we prepare for an event at which we know there will be 100 hungry people. Let us say it will be a Bible School. When should we start preparation for that huge family meal?

For simplicity let us consider the relish that needs to be prepared. After all, any meal is very bland without a relish. We will be making our relish from cabbage. So we will have to grow some cabbages. We normally plant our cabbages in late spring so that they start to seed in late summer – about 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost. Cabbage comes to harvest in 80 to 180 days from seed and in 60 to 105 days from transplants depending on the variety.

It can be quickly seen that preparations for our Bible School are needed as much as a year in advance of our school. And, before we plant our cabbages, where are the seeds or the transplants coming from? Perhaps one of our members grows cabbages and have some spare seeds; what can we give to that Ecclesial member in exchange for a few seeds?

Planning is key to preparing for any event – and often we do so years in advance. Our Ecclesia hold an annual study and serve. Some of the work of preparation occurs as much as seven years in advance of that study. The study only lasts for one day each year.

One thing we as Tanzanians have that Europeans do not have is plenty of time for planning. Our time is free!

The co-operative

Any house-keeper will tell you that sharing is cheaper. A pot cooked for 100 guests will cost less than ten pots for 10 guests even though it feeds exactly the same number of people. This is because there are economies of scale (buying food by the sack is cheaper than buying food by the handful). And, also due to the lack of waste.

We have spoken a great deal in this course regarding the benefits of working together in cooperation. A fellowship is exactly this. Working together to benefit all.

Self-funded giving

Whilst much of fundraising has little to do with money; we list here a number of activities that you could be involved in that will raise a little money where needed. Always remember though that the Biblical way of thinking about this is not “how much money I can earn for me” but rather “how much money can I gain to help others”.

Bring and buy - jumble sale

We all have things that we no longer need. Childrens clothes are amongst some of the most common things to lose there usefulness. As the children grow, the very small clothing that they once could wear become of little use. We might have other children who can wear the clothing, until the very youngest of our children grow out of them. The clothing may still have many years of usefulness – but not to our family.

Books are commonly something found at the “Bring and Buy” sale. Once we have read the book, it is unlikely that we will read it again. Others might like to.

Plants are also commonly found here. We might grow 100 plants from seed easily; it is unlikely that we will ever need a 100 of anything. But if one individual grew 100 plants of one variety (let us say banana) and another individual grew 100 plants of another variety (let us say cassava) then they could swap 50 each and both would benefit.

The bring and buy sale can be held at our Ecclesial hall, or at our home. Simply anyone can bring their unused items for sale or exchange. Normally these sales can raise quite a lot of funds for a future Ecclesial event.

Busking

To busk you need a certain amount of musical talent, and a musical instrument. Find a place where there are a lot people walking by, or sitting restfully. Public cook-houses are a good place to do this. Play your instrument, and onlookers may toss you a few coins.

Singing lessons

To do this, you will need to be a good singer yourself. If you are then why not teach others how to sing? Lessons in singing can be charged for. Whether for money, or in exchange for something else that is useful for your Ecclesia.

Cleaning

Everyone has something that needs cleaning at some point. Whether it is their home, a motor-vehicle, bicycle, a pet dog or their pig, clothing or even their toilet. Some of these tasks are not pleasant and many are more than willing to pay someone to do these tasks for them. If you have plenty of time, a bar of soap and a little water then here is another good way of raising money for your Ecclesia.

Baby care

Babies can be a big handful for any mother. If you are capable of looking after someone’s baby then this is a useful way to help mothers in need.

Recycling

Modern man seems to throw everything away. Piles of rubbish heap up at the side of the road. There are so many benefits that come from someone’s ingenuity of collecting all that rubbish up:

• Much of the rubbish (even plastic) can be sold on and recycled

• The environment is better for the rubbish not being there

• There is less disease without rubbish

• A good way to raise funds

Even if the only benefit is a little heat from burning the rubbish, then we have gained.

A Show

Staging a play, or a talent show, or having a movie night can be amazing fun, a real opportunity to spend some time with Brothers and Sisters. We might raise some funds this way too.

Other possibilities

Some other things that you might consider:

• walking pets (like dogs) or babies

• selling your skills / time

• working for Europeans in an “unpaid” exchange

• online work – e.g. https://www.upwork.com/

• translation

• go without for a day

• making videos for https://www.youtube.com/

• lawn mowing

• Carriage / selling at the bus-stand

• carriage service

• walk to school for a week

Remember that you do not have to get paid for any of these tasks. You can do this as voluntary help to aid anyone in your Ecclesia. This can be your way of giving to help others. And anyone who gives will surely also receive (Matthew 10:8).

Warnings

Safety

Always make sure that whatever you do does not put you or others in danger

Do not ask others until you know that you cannot afford it yourself

Asking others should always be the very last resort, not the first thing we do

Do not proceed until you know that it can be paid for

The worst thing would be to find that there is no way to pay for your event after it has happened

Do not take loans

The Bible warns “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8)

Conclusion

Fundraising can be as much fun, if not more fun than the final event. It is much more about our giving than it is ever about our receiving anything. Fundraising is beyond doubt very much part of our Ecclesial fellowship. It is something that we do in unity, and in collaboration one with the other, with Europeans too, but ultimately with the Lord Jesus Christ and with God the Father also. Sharing what we have on a basis of both sides benefiting is a situation where everyone gains.