Perhaps because I was born and raised in a Confucian cultural world until adulthood, even though it has been 30 years since I came to America, I still feel somewhat uncomfortable talking about money. Even when we are simply exchanging money, Koreans tend to put it in an envelope before handing it to the other person. If almost all Koreans treat money this way, then pastors engaged in spiritual ministry are even more cautious and hesitant about talking about and handling money. An extreme pietist might even think of money as the root of evil that ruins churches and ministries.
In reality, money itself has neither positive nor negative ethical value. The ethical value of money is neutral. The Bible does not say that money itself is (ethically) evil. Rather, it says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10a). If money itself were evil, then churches should not even collect offerings, since evil money could contaminate the church. The morality of money lies not in the money itself, but in how it is earned and used.
Without money, a church cannot carry out ministry or even sustain itself. Without money, mission organizations cannot do missions. If we are called as pastors and missionaries, we must develop the leadership to generate resources for ministry. If a pastor has never once preached a sermon asking for offerings, he is not a “pure” pastor but one who has neglected his duty. If a missionary has never asked churches or individuals for mission support because he does not want to burden others, one might question whether he truly has the courage and skill to cross cultures and preach the gospel.
Many gospel workers, including missionaries, approach fundraising with this mindset: “It is only natural that people do not want to give up money they worked hard to earn. Since I must persuade those who do not want to give to provide ministry funds, fundraising is the most nerve-wracking and difficult task of all—perhaps a necessary evil.” If you have approached fundraising with this assumption, I hope that from today on you will adopt a new perspective and a new premise for your ministry. The premise we should have is this: “Everyone, without exception, is willing to contribute at least a small portion of their resources to something valuable and meaningful. My task is to persuade them that my ministry is precisely that kind of work—worthy of their investment.” If someone is not persuaded, do not feel embarrassed at all. They are not opposing or attacking you; they are simply unconvinced. In other words, they are not the partner the Lord has given you for your ministry. Just give thanks and move on. If you become red-faced and feel humiliated, you are not a leader. If you have an inflated view of yourself, you can never become a leader. Why do you think you must never be embarrassed or misunderstood? If, when humiliated, you cannot brush it off as though nothing happened and move forward with a smile, you are not a leader.
In many cases, missionaries focus their fundraising on their own ministry and family needs. When the focus is there, those who are asked to give will inevitably ask, “Why should your ministry and your family’s needs come before my life and my family’s needs?” What supporters want to know is not your needs but the value and the solution. Rather than appealing, “We cannot do this work because we lack funds. Please send money,” supporters would rather hear, “When this vision is fulfilled, God’s kingdom will be advanced in this way. If you and I join forces, we can accomplish this work.” If your fundraising centers only on the problem—”My ministry cannot function because there is no money”—remember that wise investors never invest in a sinking ship.
When Moses raised funds to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness, the result was this: “All who were willing, whose hearts were moved, came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments” (Exodus 35:21). In short, Moses’ fundraising moved the hearts of the people. If fundraising focuses only on need, it cannot inspire. A shared dream, noble values, and the confidence that with the resources we already have, we can turn the situation around—these are the messages that inspire.