Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in His kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 2 Corinthians 8:1-2
“I recently heard the testimony of a pastor who took his youth group to Guatemala on a mission trip. They visited the trash dump on the outskirts of town and met the people who make their living by picking through the garbage.
Later, they visited a local church where the people from the dump would gather for a meal every day—a meal freely provided by the church. When the pastor asked how this outreach ministry was funded (assuming of course, that funding for such a ministry would come from donors in the USA or wealthier people in Guatemala), he was surprised by the answer. The local church members who work in the dump give generously from their meager earnings so that their neighbors could also have food!
The gift didn’t come from some outside wealthy anonymous, faceless, organization. It didn’t come from child sponsors or a relief committee in the USA or Europe. Rather the food was freely given by the poorest of the poor—Christians who daily demonstrate the love of Christ to their neighbors in the most tangible and personal way through radical generosity!
This powerful story illustrates one simple truth: The ministry of giving is for everyone!”
Ron Frey in “Giving is For Everyone!” blog post dated 1 August 2016 on the new Ministry Fundraising Network website. Check it out!
The Ministry Fundraising Network (MFN) serves the global church and its ministries by directly helping leaders and financial development staff with biblical fundraising motivation, strategy, best practices and national accreditation councils for financial accountability.
This is a great story to launch the MFN blog! What I love most about the Macedonian and the Guatemalan generosity is that God is clearly seen through their sacrificial and unexpectedly generous giving. Is God clearly see through your life? Does your giving surprise or exceed anyone’s expectations?