Fundraising Lessons From the Story of David & Golaith

This page is a Bible Study or written sermon - I freely admit it. It is truth from the Word of God that helped me be effective in raising support. You won't miss any significant tip on fundraising if you skip this page; but if you haven't slain your giant of financial need you might enjoy it . . .

#1. Financial motivation is not wrong!

“Now the Israelites had been saying, "Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his father's family from taxes in Israel." David asked the men standing near him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, "This is what will be done for the man who kills him."

Obviously David was interested in the reward! There is nothing wrong with that. David asked at least three times - “He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before.”

Do you have a struggle asking for money?

#2. David practiced and was skilled at his trade.

“But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."

Yes, the slaying of Goliath was a miracle, BUT God anointed a practiced and skilled man. Don’t let a wrong view of “trusting God” cause you to be sloppy or unskilled.

Are your skills in fundraising developed?

#3. David knew the tools of his trade.

“Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.”

Do you have tools you use in your fundraising?

#4. David knew specifically the goal and process.

“David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head.’”

That is exactly what David did. He was not “flying by the seat of his pants.”

Do you have a specific plan for your support raising?

#5. David acted aggressively.

“As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.”

Are you aggressively pursuing your support raising?

#6. David executed his game plan.

“So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine's sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. “

Are you executing your fund raising plans?

#6. David celebrated and enjoyed the spoils of battle and victory.

“David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem, and he put the Philistine's weapons in his own tent. David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem, and he put the Philistine's weapons in his own tent.”

Do you enjoy the benefits of your support raising work?