

The Purpose of the Tithe
Some say the original purpose of the tithe is to feed (provide for) pastors and to fund the church. What is the purpose of the tithe today?
“God expects us to give not as an afterthought, but as our top financial priority.”, – Alex Cook
How is Christian fundraising different from secular fundraising? Is there a difference or do we employ the same methods and tactics that secular fundraisers use?
Some of you may have attended seminars and conferences sponsored by Christian groups or you may have read books and articles written by Christians. You may have noticed that there is not much difference in terms of strategies and methods between secular and Christian fundraising. It is only during the past ten years do we find books about a characteristically Christian fundraising such as those written by Scott Rodin, Gary Hoag, and Wesley Willmer.
The Transformational Approach
A faithful and competent steward employs biblical fundraising that is transformational versus transactional in its approach. A transformational approach aims to grow faithful stewards who are rich towards God. It seeks to nurture generous givers who will give towards kingdom work.
Christian fundraisers see their role as sowing biblical stewardship truths in the hearts of people. They believe that God is the fundraiser. They pray for people to be rich and generous towards God. They also model Christian generosity.
The Transactional Approach
In contrast, a transactional approach relies on the leader as the fundraiser for the organization and uses strategies and tactics that are sure to work in order to achieve the target. It is merely a transaction—seeking the gift in order to accomplish the goals of the organization. The focus is on getting something whereas, in transformational fundraising, the aim is imparting something.
Transactional fundraisers rely on their own efforts, but in transformational fundraising, the Christian stewards leave the results to God. Friend-raising or people-raising is all about relationships. Transformational fundraising is about our relationship with God.
In traditional fundraising, success is measured by efficiency and by the amount of money raised. In transformational fundraising, success is seen in raising stewards who grow in the grace of giving. Instead of using worldly metrics, success is measured by kingdom outcomes.
Applying Transformational Approach
The traditional approach, therefore, is unique because it focuses on God and His Kingdom work and transforms both the receiver and the giver in the process.
Some say the original purpose of the tithe is to feed (provide for) pastors and to fund the church. What is the purpose of the tithe today?
We all have a radically generous God. It’s not impossible to begin building a culture of generosity when God is the source! He will supply!
How can we grow faithful stewards in the church? Follow God’s way and begin to plant your life and become the first faithful steward, then let God take over!
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