The title of this week's ED-you-cate comes from a chapter of a book by Henri Nouwen called 'A Spirituality of Fundraising'. Nouwen is one of my 'heroes of the Christian faith' and I have grown to love his writing over the years. This little book is no exception. It was required reading for an administrator's conference I attended last week, where we were inspired and encouraged to articulate our organization's mission in the world, and how that related to the kingdom of God.
I spent the next evening with a large group of 'friends of NACE' at our annual board fundraising dinner event, and shared for devotions the following passage from Nouwen's book:
Fundraising is a very concrete way to help the kingdom of God come about. What is the kingdom? Jesus is clear that if we make the kingdom our first priority, "all these other things will be given you as well' (Matt. 6:33, NJB). The kingdom is where God provides for all that we
need. It is the realm of sufficiency where we are no longer pulled here and there by anxiety about having enough. 'So do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself" (Matt. 6:34, NJB). Jesus also compares the kingdom to a mustard seed," which, at the time of its sowing, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth.Yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade' (Mark 4:31–32, NJB).
Even a seemingly small act of generosity can grow into something far beyond what we could ever ask or imagine (see Eph. 3:20)—the creation of a community of love in this world, and beyond this world, because wherever love grows, it is stronger than death (1 Cor. 13:8). So when we give ourselves to planting and nurturing love here on earth, our efforts will reach out beyond our own chronological existence. Indeed, if we raise funds for the Creation of a community of love, we are helping God build the kingdom. We are doing exactly what we are supposed to do as Christians. Paul is clear about this: "Make love your aim" (1 Cor. 14:1, NJB). (Nouwen, 2004)
That evening, amongst the great service(thank you, NACE board!), excellent food, and fantastic entertainment it was obvious we were in a community of love, and that they, in turn, were supporting our schools as communities of love. The kingdom of God depends on small and large gifts alike, and He will bless those far beyond what we could ever imagine. With your time, your talents, your resources, and your finances give knowing that you are a part of the Kingdom, where we are making love our aim!!!
