In his book, People Raising, William Dillon says that that fund raising can be viewed as a three-pronged relationship: God, the Potential Resource, and the Mission. While this appears to be obvious, I would suggest that stewardship development requires that we pay close attention to each of these aspects.
We need to trust God in our efforts to develop stewardship. He is the ultimate source of all gifts and He is the one who inspires the mission and the giver. While we can use human resources, like fundraisers and promotional resources, our ultimate trust is in the Lord.
"But remember the Lord your God, for it he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today (Deuteronomy 8:18)."
"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these will be given you as well (Matthew 6:33)."
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17)."
Believing prayer is the key to any stewardship effort as it turns our minds and hearts to the Lord, our Provider.
The Potential Resource is not a checkbook, an estate, a foundation, or a credit card. It is always a person with the potential to give. We need to pray that God will increase this person's passion for the Lord and his mission. This person or group of people always give out of their abundance in the midst of many circumstance that affects their ability and decision to give. Such people should be treated with respect as sons or daughters of God who have much going on in their lives. We should pray for and with these people and ask the Lord to bless their lives beyond the blessing of giving.
The Mission always stems from the work of God. God's Spirit is responsible for raising up workers and sending them into the harvest field. He directs these workers and helps them identify their specific role in building the Kingdom of God. Godly people are much more likely to support a mission where God's fingerprints are evident. Faith stories and testimonies that link the Mission with the work of the Lord motivate people to prayerfully support the Mission.
May God give us the wisdom and diligence to pay attention to each aspect of these key relationships to stewardship development.
Ron Hamilton,
Conference Minister
Book mentioned above: "People Raising"
William P. Dillon, Moody Publishers, 1993.