Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:6-7
“I am reminded of Paul’s use of the word truth here, especially as it relates to love and giving. There is nothing that can get muddied quicker than the truth when it comes to the transactional nature of giving and receiving. We use the word gift, but in truth we often view the money as flowing into a contracted situation in which results are promised. The balancing act here is to view the gift as the result of a true partnership built on transparency with unity that strives for transformation and honors the communion of giving and receiving.”
Rob Martin in When Money Goes On Mission: Fundraising and Giving in the 21st Century (Chicago: Moody, 2018) 269-270.
This is a great book that I endorsed and commend to anyone who wants to integrate their faith and fundraising. Check it out on Amazon. It contains a unique combination of wit and wisdom. Martin is a master storyteller.
Think for another minute about the importance of truth and transparency. Without these two working together, we will not see generosity flow. The partnership between givers and receivers breaks down.
What is the ingredient that fuels truth and transparency? It’s love. Love motivates us to protect truth, to preserve hope, and to guard trust. With love, we uphold truth and transparency so as to encourage generous giving and receiving.
This explains why I serve with Global Trust Partners. We multiply disciples of faithful administration and mobilize peer accountability groups like ECFA that champion truth and transparency to increase gospel participation.
Today I am heading to the Philippines with my wife, Jenni. There we will speak truth with love in many settings in Manila while also encouraging the ongoing work of CCTA (Christian Council for Transparency and Accountability) there.