A Spirituality of Fundraising

Christian leaders often feel uneasy about asking others for money. Rather than viewing fundraising as a necessary but unpleasant task in supporting spiritual endeavors, Henri Nouwen asserts that fundraising is a ministry. The question that Christians must explore is their relationship with money and whether they find security in God or their possessions. Drawing on many lessons from scripture, Nouwen emphasizes that individuals must be moved to a common vision in order to feel generous in giving to a fundraising effort. For the act of fundraising involves not only the gift of money to a common goal but also the gifts of involvement, energy, and prayer for a common mission. Second Corinthians 9:8 states: "God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly every good work."