INTRODUCTION

Jesus for Asia’s goal is two-fold. One is to reach the unreached, the other is to engage God’s church in reaching the unreached.

Over the last 18 years of ministry we have spent a lot of time in prayer and study about how God wants to fund His kingdom. It’s a big deal to us that funding seems to be a major impediment to extending the Kingdom into all the world. Jesus recognized money as a second master (Luke 16:13) and money can become the repository of our trust in the place of God. So, while money is a benefit to His cause, it is also the idol of the world.

Everybody in the world wants more money. Many would even kill for it. Money is seen as providing safety. Most people assume that if you have enough money, then you don’t need to worry. However, God wants us to look beyond money and see Him as the true source of safety. He provides what we need, but His goal is greater than just providing what we need physically. He sees that what we really need, what will give us greater peace and security, is not an ample amount of funds but a deeper view into His nature as Father. He wants to wean us from a dependency on money to a faith in Him.

When our faith is fixed in Him as a good Father, then we will have peace and confidence whether we have money or not, because we know that He will work all things out for good. His desire is to pour out riches upon all His children, but He knows that we tend to fall in love with the gifts and forget the Giver. It’s like giving poison to our faith. So He often takes us through the wilderness to wean us from trusting in money, so that He can give us more money without it turning our eyes from Him or drawing our affection away from Him. He’s looking for people that He can safely pour resources through for the saving of mankind.

This all affects the way that we do “fundraising.” Many missionaries are averse to “fundraising” and we are also averse to it in the traditional sense. Many people see fundraising as trying to talk people into donating. They see it as twisting people’s arms to give with little or no reward. But we don’t see it like that at all. We see it as actual ministry to believers. Let’s walk through some principles first.

PRINCIPLE 1: Use what we have in our hands, even if it is not enough. God can multiply our resources.

In the feeding of the 5,000 Jesus asked the disciples to feed the hungry multitude. The disciples looked at their resources and concluded it was impossible, so Jesus went ahead and fed the people with 12 baskets left over. In Desire of Ages, p. 371, Ellen White writes:

“The means in our possession may not seem to be sufficient for the work; but if we will move forward in faith, believing in the all-sufficient power of God, abundant resources will open before us. If the work be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment.”

She also says:

“He has bidden us, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.’ Mark 16:15. But how often our hearts sink, and faith fails us, as we see how great is the need, and how small the means in our hands. Like Andrew looking upon the five barley loaves and the two little fishes, we exclaim, ‘What are they among so many?’ Often we hesitate, unwilling to give all that we have, fearing to spend and to be spent for others. But Jesus has bidden us, ‘Give ye them to eat.” His command is a promise; and behind it is the same power that fed the multitude beside the sea.’ (Desire of Ages, p. 369)

PRINCIPLE 2: This is an opportunity to grow our faith. We want to accomplish a task; He wants to develop a character.

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:31-33)

We can surrender our need for funds into His hands and trust Him to provide. So, if we can trust Him, why do we need to “raise funds?”

PRINCIPLE 3: God wants His church involved in His work!

In all of the Gospels, you will never find Jesus saying, “Welcome to My Kingdom. Now go home and live a good life.” Rather, Jesus gives an entirely different message:

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

This familiar passage is not an invitation. It is not optional. It is a command. Jesus gives a directive to His people to join Him in His work. Many of God’s people don’t understand that this is a command, and many who do, don’t know how to get involved.

PRINCIPLE 4: “Fundraising” is ministry!

“The gold and the silver are the Lord’s; and He could rain them from heaven if He chose. But instead of this He has made man His steward, entrusting him with means, not to be hoarded, but to be used in benefiting others. He thus makes man the medium through which to distribute His blessings on earth. God planned the system of beneficence, in order that man might become like his Creator, benevolent and unselfish in character, and finally be a partaker with Christ of the eternal, glorious reward.” (Counsels on Stewardship, p. 15.)

So, for man to become like Christ, he must be given opportunities to give for the furtherance of the kingdom. That’s what you, the missionary, can do like no other. You’ve been in (or are going to) places where there is little light, and in sharing your burden for the lost you can create a similar burden and opportunity in others, thereby awakening the same interest that Christ feels for them. Not all will respond, but those that do are becoming more Christlike, which is extremely important to heaven.

That’s why we call it . . .

PRINCIPLE 5: “Awareness raising” instead of fundraising.

Awareness raising is important because how can God get His church involved in His work unless someone tells them of the need? Most Adventists in North America today are clueless of the real progress of the Gospel in the world. Most have been told it’s almost done. Many would get involved if they saw a place where they could help.

PRAYER IS ESSENTIAL:

“Our Heavenly Father waits to bestow upon us the fullness of His blessing. It is our privilege to drink largely at the fountain of boundless love. What a wonder it is that we pray so little. God is ready and willing to hear the sincere prayer of the humblest of His children....

Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse where are treasured the boundless resources of omnipotence?” (Steps to Christ, p. 94, 95)

In our experience, heart searching, and praying in faith, are the most effective ways to raise funds. However, God usually doesn’t send big donors because of prayer, but opens doors to share and to engage His people with His work.

By focusing on sharing the needs in the mission field, as well as your needs as you prepare and then work in your assigned country, you give room for the Holy Spirit to move on hearts to join in the work in various ways.

PRINCIPLE 6: We often use the word “invest” instead of “donate.”

This communicates the idea of the eternal reward in the friendships we will have in heaven with those we have helped to save. This concept is founded in the verse in Luke 16:9:

“Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.” (New Living Translation)

Those who come alongside you and support your work with prayer or resources should understand that they are investing with you in sharing the Gospel. Through their partnership they have a part in souls that are rescued “out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

PRINCIPLE 7: When we present at churches or gatherings, we don’t ask for money.

We can tell of the challenges, successes, and stories of people and let God inspire people to give if that is His will. We don’t believe in the hard sell tactics of many. If you are doing what God wants you to do, then He will supply the need. He may want you out in the mission field; He may want you engaging His church. Usually He wants a tension between both. He wants people who feel the need, who have an urgency for real people, to call His people to action. He wants revival. You may be His best strategy.

PRINCIPLE 8: It’s not fundraising, it is friend raising.

We want to connect with donors as long-term friends who have a real interest in the work and will pray that the funds they give will truly go to make a difference.

PRINCIPLE 9: There is no one “right” way to do it.

Some people raise a lot of money before they go, some use their own money, which is just enough to buy plane tickets. God honors both ways if they are honest before Him.

“But when we give ourselves wholly to God and in our work follow His directions, He makes Himself responsible for its accomplishment. He would not have us conjecture as to the success of our honest endeavors. Not once should we even think of failure. We are to co-operate with One who knows no failure.” (Christ’s Object Lessons p. 363)

PRINCIPLE 10: Read stories of miracles that will build your faith.

Reading the stories of people just like you who have put it all on the line for Jesus and building His Kingdom will inspire you and build your faith.

Click here to access the reading list.