Fundraising—How King David got Temple donations

CHURCH FUNDRAISNG WITH CHEERFUL GIVERS. Classic art by Thomas Wortil illustrates one technique for raising money to pay the church’s bills.

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I’VE SEEN PREACHERS FUNDRAISING by using one sure-fire technique. But I’ve never seen anyone credit King David for the idea they’re using.

David’s story is the perfect Bible passage for fundraising.

So here it is, King David’s method of fundraising, borrowed by churches everywhere:

1. ID a sacred project that needs money. Let’s say you need a sanctuary, a sound system, or a roof that doesn’t drip in a rainstorm.
2. The preacher announces how much she’s donating, which is a lot. And when she does, everyone squirms and her husband has an accident in the pew.
3. The preacher invites everyone to show God the depth of their devotion, faith, and credit. Regarding taking out a loan, in David’s time, people who couldn’t pay their debts were sold into slavery.

I came across David’s story for the first time last week, while paraphrasing 1 Chronicles 29 for the Casual English Bible.^®

Before David’s pitch

Here’s the setup to the pitch David made to a massive crowd of Israel’s leaders he had invited to Jerusalem. He told them his son Solomon was chosen by God to build the Jerusalem Temple. David said it was a staggering responsibility for an inexperienced young mortal to build a temple for an immortal. So David said he decided to help Solomon by stockpiling construction material: gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, precious stones, and marble.

The Pitch

Here’s what David added:

“In addition to that, I have some gold stashed away for myself. Silver, too. And I’m so committed to God that I’m donating it to the Temple. I’m contributing to paneling the walls with gold and silver. And I’m donating 112 tons of gold from Ophir and 263 tons of refined silver. My gold and silver will also go to artisans creating whatever gold and silver objects are needed for the Temple. Now, who will join me by showing their devotion to the LORD?” 1 Chronicles 29:3-5, Casual English Bible®

In ancient Hebrew weight, David donated 3,000 talents of gold and 7,000 talents of silver. A “talent” is 34 kilograms or 75 pounds. David’s staggering donation as a model for giving to the church’s next building fund is preachable but not reachable. Except perhaps in the rarest of times. In sheer weight, David donated the equivalent of 54 dump trucks. The average dump truck weighs about 7 tons.

The Donation

The people donated in a big way. Imagine 711 dump trucks driving bumper to bumper in a two-mile-long parade. In weight, that’s what the Bible says Israel’s people donated to the Temple.

“Total donations collected:

• Almost 190 tons of gold
• 375 tons of silver
• 675 tons of bronze
• 3,750 tons of iron.

People who owned precious gemstones donated them, as well.” 1 Chronicles 29:7-8, Casual English Bible®

Applying the math

I’m not recommending David’s technique. I’m simply crediting him with what many Christians see every other year or so, when their local church needs to raise money.

If you run the numbers that worked for King David, you may be able to calculate your own results. David donated a little more than 7.5 percent of what Israel donated.

So, let’s say you want the church members to donate half a million dollars. Ask the preacher to write a personal check for $37,975. Voila.

Or try Paul’s pitch

Apostle Paul had a different approach to fundraising. He told rich city folks to give what they could. Then he told them what humble Macedonians out in the boonies had already given.

Writing to the comparatively rich church in Corinth, Greece, Paul said:

“I know I don’t need to bother writing you about this mission work of helping our fellow believers. I know you’re ready to help. I’ve been bragging about it to churches in Macedonia…If you’re not ready, and some Macedonians happen to join us when we visit you, we’ll be pretty doggone embarrassed. So will you.” 2 Corinthians 9:1-4, Casual English Bible

Or consult a fundraising company

Many churches, especially big ones with a large appetite, consult fundraising pros.

Here’s a layman’s personal observation that might save a church some money: Have you ever come across a fundraising outfit that didn’t exploit King David’s approach, or Paul’s, or both?

Peace to you.

 

Paul’s high-pressure fundraising letter

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