Make it Transformational: A Blog for Champion Discipleship

I had one of those "life lesson" moments this past week with my 5-year old daughter that interestingly ties into Mission Increase's May training on "thanking."  It went like this...

My husband had been away on a business trip.  Typically when he comes home he has a little surprise gift for our daughter.  Well, after this particular trip he brought home a t-shirt for her.  After handing it to her, she inspected it, then decided it was not what she wanted, and promptly turned up her nose and walked away.  Oh, and she asked if he got her anything else.  (Again, she's 5-years old so maybe this response is not too surprising!)

Needless to say, we did NOT praise this behavior.  And, after talking with her about how to respond when someone is thoughtful enough to give you a gift (even if it's not a princess-themed t-shirt or a fun toy), I realized something...that we not only have to learn how to GIVE (TG Principle 9), we have to learn how to RECEIVE.  And, frankly, if we can't receive well, we'll surely not thank well.

My question for us in the nonprofit world to consider is this...how well do we receive gifts?

Do we turn up our noses when a gift is not at the level we hoped or expected?  Or do we show a heart of gratitude even if the gift is $5?  Do we respond with indifference when we receive a gift that doesn't come close to comparing to that "larger" gift we received?  Do we recognize (or even care about) the story behind each and every gift and the transformative qualities it had for the giver?

I imagine we're all guilty of what my 5-year old did, although maybe not so blatantly!  It might instead come in the form of sending off an impersonal receipt, or sadly it might be not sending anything at all to acknowledge the gift (I know plenty of organizations that have a policy to NOT send a gift acknoweldgement if it's under a certain dollar amount).  It also might be that you haven't taken the time to call people who give to your organization (unless the gift is big enough of course) in order to discover the story behind the gift, or learn how you might equip them to get further involved.

Let me encourage you to consider how you receive each and every gift.  Are you thanking God that this person is abounding with the grace of giving?  Are you showing gratitude toward the person for their step in faith to give?  Are you taking time to get to know the story behind the gift and then encouraging the person to grow in their understanding and involvement in the cause?  If you said no, or are not sure of the answer to any one of these three questions, it's time for a refresher course in how to receive well!

I’m handing the reins of this post to my good friends at Pacific Lifeline in Upland, California, who put together the following commendation letter.  If you attended one of our MIF “Thanking and Receipting” workshops, you’ll recall we challenged you to thank God and commend your champions.  This letter is a great illustration of just this point.  Well done, Pacific Lifeline!

“Your recent gift of [$received] is evidence of the good work God is doing in you.  I commend you for responding to God’s stirring in your heart to be a part of His work at Pacific Lifeline.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Philippians 1:6: “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it in the day of Christ Jesus.”  While sometimes this verse is consoling when I have a day when I just don’t feel like I’ve measured up, more often it is a reminder of God’s promise to each of us.  He is doing a good work within us.  He will be faithful to continue that work.  All we have to do is respond in obedience.

Thank you for obediently responding to God and partnering with Pacific Lifeline in empowering women and children to achieve self sufficiency.  He is faithful in His good works in these families’ lives as well – lives are being transformed through our counseling, case management, parenting classes, life skills classes, and children’s activities. 

The next time you see your reflection, please remember that God is doing a good work in you.  And please also use it as a reminder to pray for the good works that He is doing in the lives of women and children at Pacific Lifeline.

Partnering together,
Kirstin Grubb
Director of Development”

In our most recent workshop on Thanking and Receipting we considered the significant place of contentment in the life of the believer. We did so primarily by looking at the passage in Philippians 4:11 where Paul asserts, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” So, I thought it helpful to share a few observations about contentment that we made during our most recent time together.

It’s learned – Consequently, it’s not latent (which sounds familiar)! We have been enrolled in the school of deep character cultivation during our seasons of need as well as our seasons plenty. And while need is a great teacher, I would propose that Biblical contentment is even more challenging to learn during seasons of plenty. Just consider our common experience. Is it not true that during such times we are tempted to jettison God (see the OT) and misconstrue the success of our recent efforts, concluding (wrongly) that it was our efforts alone that accomplished this great thing?

It’s evident – Our belief about who it is that provides for the needs of our organization will find its way into every single mailing, conversation and fundraising event that we host. At times overtly, most often subtly, but its presence is inevitable.

It’s predicated – Essential to the endeavor on which we find ourselves is our theological understanding! Contentment is necessarily built on a right understanding of the abundance and trustworthiness of God. We must understand God and His purposes rightly if we desire to cultivate a deep and lasting contentment.

It’s inevitable – Many of us are often tempted to make the mistake of assuming that because the resources aren’t flowing as they once have that it’s directly correlated with our efforts and thus personal failure. But perhaps it’s not that easy. And perhaps God has much to teach and show us during these seasons of lean. In fact, I would contend that if we’re willing to see it, these seasons of lean reveal to us a new plenty.

It’s imperative – Paul models it, but more importantly God is calling us to it - so there’s much at stake.

So, how are you cultivating contentment and perhaps more importantly, how are you teaching God’s people to do the same?

Here’s a place to start. Since the summer reading season is upon us I commend to you the following book to add to your summer reading list:

     The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs

Here’s to resting in the sovereign and gracious care of our great God! Happy reading.