Press Release – article – “Redefining How We Raise Resources”

Title- The Sower

Authors – R. Scott Rodin and Gary G. Hoag

Publisher – Winchester: EFCAPress, 2010

It’s a short 76 page book and a fast read.  John Howze, in charge of resource development at the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission, lent to me his copy.  It’s my first book that I have read on gathering financial resources for non-profits.

But the message of the book is much more than the typical steps and pleas in fundraising.  Requesting money is not simply about financial transactions and number crunching, it is about life transformation.  It is all about seeing hearts filled with the joy of God as they give.

Consider the words of Peter Chrysologus,

O man, send your treasure on, send it ahead into heaven, or else your God-given souls will be buried in the earth.  Gold comes from the depth of the earth–the soul, from the highest heaven.  Clearly it is better to carry the gold to where the soul resides than to bury the soul in the mine of the gold.  That is why God orders those who will serve in his army here below to fight as men stripped of concern for riches and unencumbered by anything.  To these he has granted the privilege of reigning in heaven.

Rodin authors the first half of the book, challenging the reader to grow as a sower.  With my new job at the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission, I celebrate the generous acts of giving that I see every week, for example:

• A resident at the City of Refuge who cooks a hot, delicious meal for a city-wide ministerial luncheon.
• A young mother who brings an overstuffed suitcase of nice men’s clothes to The ARK men’s transitional housing.
• Businesses in town generous with their products or services.
• Believers in local churches giving their time and finances to spread the love of Christ to those in need.

Hoag contributes to the second half of the book, laying out 12 principles for giving that correspond to the four seasons of the year.  Hoag concludes the year of God doing the fundraising for ministries with Thanksgiving.  “The culmination of harvest is the Thanksgiving feast.  At that time, the laborers’ work is done, the harvest has been bountiful and portions have been distributed to all who share in the experience.”

Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.  For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! – II Corinthians 9:10-15

God accomplishes the work!  To God be the glory!