Sep 26, 2011
Often when running a giving campaign, you hear things from people like, “I’m sorry I could only give, $x, I would give more, but [insert life circumstance here.]” Or you’ll hear things like, “I gave the amount that was suggested, but you know, I could have given more. Maybe you should ask for higher amounts.”
The truth of the matter is this – it doesn’t really matter how much or how little you give. If you are called to give to any campaign or fundraiser it is because God is calling you to give of yourself in a tangible way. The math is really up to him. Sometimes we are aren’t able to give at all, but can only pray – other times we are called to give and can give small or large amounts – according to our current situation.
I was recently in a position of having to raise a lot of money for my wife to receive advanced cancer treatments. It was a daunting number but we took it to God, and having done some online campaigning before I decided I may as well put it out there and hope for the best. Long story incredibly short – we raised the funds in no time by the goodness of God’s moving in the hearts of many.
I was amazed as I watched what would happen throughout the campaign. I would get a notification that we received a $5 donation and next a notification that we got some large amount like $500. The again we’d get a series of $10-$30 donations in a row and then suddenly three $200 donations would come through. One morning in particular God illustrated for me how He works in our generosity. We give out of the goodness of our hearts – and according with our gifts and our willingness to let God work through those gifts – God does amazing things.
This was illustrated in an amazing way when a woman gave $5 to the campaign and apologized for not giving more but hoped it would help and that she would pray for us. An hour later I got another email – a $1,000 donation had come in. Isn’t it incredible what God can do? This woman gave $5 with incredible generosity. It wasn’t a large gift, but it was sincere and heartfelt and probably a stretch for her. And wouldn’t you know, that by her trusting God with that gift he multiplied it by the giving of the next person. I’m certain that the person who gave the $1,000 also gave with incredible generosity and by so doing helped to fill the gap.
The book of Romans tells it like this
“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith;if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching;if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Rom. 12:6-8)
It is our hope at Adore, that we are giving of our gifts accordingly and with great generosity. Generosity is certainly the mark of a missionary. As you consider giving to our “Bricks & Mortar Campaign” – consider your gifts and the “grace given to you.” If God is putting it on your heart to give, we ask that you give from those gifts with a generous spirit and in trust that God will take care of the rest.
- Chris Faddis
Adore Ministries has launched the “Bricks & Mortar” Giving Campaign to support it’s ongoing mission of leading people into worship of God with their whole lives. You can read more about the campaign here and you can also give via your mobile phone at www.adoreministries.mobi.
