Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
I am often asked by colleagues in the philanthropy field, “What has been your largest gift?” or “What are the characteristics of your most significant donors?” My reply is always the same: the gift was never the focus, and the chief characteristic was that of being a good steward.
To my knowledge, none of our most significant gifts have come after the capacity to make a large gift was accomplished. In fact, the vast majority made a commitment to be good stewards when they had very little and often questioned whether their gift would make much of a difference.
It was at this crucial beginning point that God’s blessing of their commitment began to occur. Sometimes it’s wise investing in financial products, other times it’s a remarkable increase in the value of property or some other tangible asset. There is a correlation between the growth of that asset and the faithfulness of their stewardship.
Our donors remind me so much of the advice given by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:26, “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” Very few of our donors are among the wealthy and powerful. They are, in fact, simple, quiet, humble people of modest means—but people through whom God has made a tremendous difference for this ministry.
So, as you consider your own path of stewardship, please don’t focus on how you can make a large impact. Simply follow God’s path of stewardship clearly laid out in scripture. The blessings of the fruit of your stewardship will produce a harvest unimaginable at this point in your life!
By Dr. Ron Mackey, Vice President, Community Engagement
