The Spirituality of Fund-Raising: Your Thoughts?
In his little book, The Spirituality of Fund-Raising,Henri Nouwen lifts up and presents many insightful thoughts about money, ourselves, and the role of “giving” our financial resources as it relates to our spiritual life.
What are your thoughts about Henri’s book? What words of wisdom do you find within its pages? Are there parts of the book–and Henri’s approach to fund-raising–that trouble you………..or which you find to be simplistic and lacking substance?
What thoughts do you have to share?
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December 29th, 2005 @ 10:07 pm
I just finished reading through THE SPIRITUALITY OF FUND-RAISING with my wife who was on Young Life staff before having our baby boy. We thought it would have been really helpful to have a few points of view from donors themselves.
I am not fearful about fundraising but then again I am not chaffing at the bit to do fundraising instead of ministry to lost high schoolers.
I do however enjoy talking about Young Life and about the great joy that it is to come alongside them, love them, and then pour out my heart to them all about Jesus and His love. I also love to talk about the things that I have had the privilege of seeing Jesus do first hand through people in Young Life. I think that looking at it in that respect makes meeting with people or calling people much more enjoyable…and if they give great, if not it is still great to talk about Jesus with them.
One aspect that I do find uncomfortable to deal with as a Christian is treating people with more money differently than people with less money. I have seen this done more in strategizing how to raise money…targeting rich potential donors. It seems we should target those who share in our love for Christ dominantly. Am I alone on this one? Is there scripture that talks about this kind of thing? … Are these verses out of context?
James 2:1-4
“1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.
2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.
3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’
4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”
What about this one?
James 2:8-9
“8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.
9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
January 5th, 2006 @ 8:41 am
Thanks for sharing verses condoning favouritism. Mother Teresa was once asked why she spoiled the poor. Her response was she felt extremely privileged to do so……..everyone was so busy ’spoiling’ the rich !
February 10th, 2006 @ 4:31 pm
Hi everyone,
I have been unavailable to address this group for quite some time due to illness and death in my family. I am curious as the last entry is from November. Is this reading group still active?