by David Rostad
Is there a theology of fund raising? Probably not. Are there biblical examples of fund raising? Absolutely! Are there times when we, as pastors and churches, need to make concentrated efforts to gather funds for a particular purpose or project? Most definitely!
There is, of course, a theology of giving. At Prairie Creek, the church where I pastor, we want everybody to recognize tithing as the standard God has set down for his people. It is not an obligation of faith, but an expression of faith and trust in God’s ability and desire to provide. In our church bulletin each week is listed the amount received in tithes and offerings the previous week. Written below this information are these words: Save 10%. Pay God 10%. Live on 80%.
I’m not so ignorant as to assume everybody follows this motto. But I do believe that, by displaying it each and every week, it’s having an impact on those who read it, write their checks, fill out their envelopes, and place them in the offering.
Recently I received this testimony of tithing. “Bill” and “Jean” have attended our church for the past three years. First the wife came with her children; then she invited her husband to join them. He had been a Christmas and Easter attender but decided to give it a try. He has been here every Sunday ever since. He gave his life to the Lord and even went on a recent missions trip with Prairie Creek.
Perhaps the most amazing testimony was when he came to his wife and said, “Jean, we need to start tithing.” Now that’s the kind of testimony any pastor loves to hear-not just for the added funds, but because of the spiritual growth it indicates in the lives of the people you pastor.
Biblical examples of fund raising include the Israelites giving beyond measure for the construction of the tabernacle. And then there was the Apostle Paul exhorting the Corinthian believers to complete the task of giving for the care of the saints in Jerusalem. These examples are not of tithing, but of freewill giving above and beyond the regular expression of faithful tithing. This is concentrated fund raising for a particular purpose or project.
In the last five years, Prairie Creek Community Church purchased seven acres of land and built a 14,000-square-foot church building without any special fund raising strategy. After establishing the principles outlined above, we had already begun practicing them as a church body. We had saved 10 percent, given 10 percent, and lived on 80 percent.
Thus, when we were ready to purchase land, we were short by only $20,000. In order to raise the additional funds, I declared a month of double tithing and led the way. After a month, we had the necessary funds to purchase the land with cash in hand.
Next, we once again began setting aside 10 percent of our weekly offerings in a building fund and encouraged the congregation to make additional contributions as well. We had only one caveat: We would not build on our land until we had at least $100,000 in that fund. Once that amount was attained, we went to the bank with the equity of cash and land to borrow the remaining funds necessary to build. We have been in our building for three years now.
My personal attitude towards fund raising is this: “Let God take care of raising the money.” Another way to say it is Psalm 23:1-“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
I take no credit for having great faith in this area of church life, nor do I recognize it as a measure of my spirituality. The reason I can trust God in this way is because my dad, Henry Rostad, always provided for my needs as a child and even beyond. Growing up in the Rostad household, there was never a worry or concern that we wouldn’t have clothes, food, or any of the other necessities and even some of the pleasures of life. Once I became a Christian, this confidence in my Father’s provision naturally transferred to my faith and trust in God. If my earthly father knew how to provide for me, how much more would my heavenly Father!
So, the Lord is my provider. I will always be taken care of.
How have you seen God’s provision in your life lately?
David Rostad is pastor of Prairie Creek Community Church, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
