George Verwer on fundraising:

If you want to study the subject of fundraising and you're looking for

a few motivating chapters in God's word, then you should read 2

Corinthians 8 & 9. These passages are especially sharp in some of the

modern translations.

 

II Cor. 8 from The Message reads:

"Now friends, I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in

which God is working in the churches in Macedonia Province. Fierce

troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to

the very limit. Their trial exposed their true colors: They were

incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered

something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous

gifts. I was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of

whatever they could - far more than they could afford! - pleading for

the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians. "This

was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us

completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given

themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply

flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives. That's what

prompted us to ask Titus to bring the relief offering to your

attention, so that what was so well begun could be finished up. You do

so well in many things - you trust God, you're articulate, you're

insightful, you're passionate, you love us - now, do your best in

this, too."

 

The start of chapter 9:

"If I wrote you more on this relief offering for the poor Christians,

I'd be repeating myself. I know you're on board and ready to go. … So

to make sure that there will be no slip-up, I've recruited these

brothers as an advance team to get you and your promised offering all

ready before I get there. I want you to have all the time you need to

make this offering in your own way. I don't want anything forced or

hurried at the last minute."

Not just the Apostle Paul, but all of us are involved in the raising

of funds.  If we already have our own personal support, then we can

raise money for other people's needs and for important projects we

know about. Other OMers are under considerable pressure due to the

lack of finances. It always amazes me how some people can know about

these needs and not be moved and do something about them.  All of us

are called not only to raise money for our own personal needs, but

also for buying the tools we need in order to do the job.