Fundraising in light of Christ's return

Jesus sent you on a mission.

And Jesus came and said to [His disciples], "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)

Your mission is to make disciples of all nations. To accomplish your mission, you do fundraising. Fundraising is part of the mission, but fundraising doesn't become the mission.

Jesus Himself is on that same mission. So while Jesus is very much interested in your fundraising, He's far more interested in completing the mission. His wedding is at stake, after all! (Revelation 19:6-9)

That means that Jesus will return during someone's fundraising - likely many someones. They will be raising funds because Jesus sent them on a mission. But one day, while they're in the midst of raising funds, when they least expect it, He will return. The mission will be over. Their fundraising will be over - even if they never completed it.

Maybe you're one of them.

Let that give you perspective: it won't matter on that Day whether you've raised 9% or 99% of your support. It won't matter if you've been raising support for two months or two years. What will matter is how faithful you have been with the time you've been given. And more than that: since none of us has been as faithful as we ought to have been, what will really matter is the grace of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Let that grace refresh you and challenge you as you await the end of your mission.

He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20 ESV)

Chosen

Tomorrow will determine whether America will spend the next four years under the leadership of President Barack Obama or President Mitt Romney (or, as my Libertarian friends often remind me, President Gary Johnson.) Regardless of who wins, consider the following phone call you might receive on Wednesday:

You: "Hello?"
President: "Hello, friend. This is the President of the United States of America calling."
You: "Mr. President? Are you sure you have the right number?"
President: "Absolutely. You're just the person I want to talk to. I have a special task for you."
You: "Me? There are over 300 million people in America, many of whom are far more capable than myself. Surely you..."
President: "On the contrary, there is only one person in the world that I'd want for this mission. You."

How would you feel at that point? Whether you like him or not, wouldn't you feel honored? Wouldn't you joyfully and likely fearfully accept the mission?

If so, consider how much greater an honor, how much greater a calling, how greater a mission you have from the God of the universe, your Creator, Redeemer and sovereign King? If you would feel incapable in being chosen by the President, how much more in your selection by the self-existent I AM?

Jeremiah had an encounter with God along those very lines:

Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." But the LORD said to me,
"Do not say, 'I am only a youth';
for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the LORD." (Jeremiah 1:4-8 ESV)

Like Jeremiah, you need not be afraid. God is with you, and He has specifically chosen you - not from among a mere 300 million people, but from all people throughout all the world throughout all time.

He could have chosen anyone. He's chosen you.

He could have sent you anywhere. He's chosen your mission field.

He could have chosen any time to send you. He's chosen now.

As part of that mission, He has called you to raise funds. He could have dropped a boatload of money in your lap at the same time He called you. Most likely, He didn't. So He has something better in mind.

He wants you to build up a support team so that they too might be blessed in your mission. He wants you to learn some valuable lessons in preparation for your mission. He wants you to know and treasure your Savior, Jesus Christ, as He shows you the unsearchable riches of His grace in this season of ministry.

Tomorrow it may seem that the whole world has changed. Your God - and the mission He's chosen you for - have not. Go, therefore, and raise those funds!