Biblical Christian Fundraising

When participating in Christian fundraising for mission trips and other activities, there are a few decisions you need to ask before you begin.  And the most important question to ask is, "Is my method of Christian fundraising Biblical?"

Most readers of this website will quickly realize that I am not a big fan of the most popular methods of Christian fundraising being used within the church today.  However, good, godly Christians have debated a lot more important issues than this through the ages on which they never reached agreement (e.g., George Whitefield and John Wesley).

What I am trying to say here is that I could be wrong, but I have to follow my convictions on these things in my own life.  And I want to encourage you to do the same with your Christian fundraising for mission trips, or any other worthwhile missionary purpose for which you may be raising money.

A Look Back at Christian Fundraising

When I look at the book of Acts and the epistles of Paul, I do not see the early church participating in Christian fundraising that is even remotely similar to those we practice today.

It is true that they did not have access to some of the technology we have today, but even still, I have my doubts as to whether they would have approved of some of the actions we take today to raise money during our mission fundraising.  Of course, there is no way to be dogmatic about this since we can't actually ask Paul!

But we can ask the Lord to guide in these things.  When we look at the way Jesus raised money for His "ministries", what method did He use?  It appears He simply asked God, in other words, the "George Mueller Method" of Christian fundraising.  And the apostle Paul appears to have simply asked the Lord and others to help.  So what is right?

Christian Fundraising for Mission Trips

Whether you are fundraising for mission trips or trying to raise money for a different Christian ministry, please ask yourself whether the method you are using is within the spiritual paradigm or a product of the world's system?  Are you working on the laws of sowing and reaping (giving and receiving) or upon the laws of buying and selling (competing and acquiring)?

I believe that a contemplative appraisal and an honest answer to this question should determine our course of action for Christian fundraising.  Ask yourself, "Is what I am doing using God's way of giving and receiving, or the world's way of buying and selling?

Some people may say, "What does it matter if it works?  I just want to help these other people/ministries in a way that produced results!"  Well, is a Robin Hood mentality appropriate for the Kingdom of God?  Hmmm.

Once again, I am not saying that I am right, but I sincerely believe the law we see demonstrated in the Bible is the Law of Giving and Receiving (Sowing and Reaping), and that is the Law we should follow in Christian fundraising.  If you disagree, it's OK!  I may be wrong.

I want to congratulate you and thank you for your desire to help others in the name of Jesus Christ, who died to give us life and to share that life with others.  And I wish you the best of success in your Christian fundraising to take His name to the uttermost parts of the earth.