You Only Have One Donor

IllustrationStory★★★★

BRUCE Wilkinson, the author of The Prayer of Jabez, was meeting with a leader of a growing ministry. The ministry leader hoped to talk with Bruce and glean some principles from him that would help grow his own ministry. After answering many of the leader’s questions, Bruce asked if he might ask a question of his own.

“How many donors do you have?” The leader grew silent as he started calculating how many donors the ministry might have. After a few seconds, Bruce said, “It sure is taking you a long time.”

The leader apologized and assured Bruce that he wanted to give him as accurate of a count as possible. “I’m not sure. I just need a minute to think about it.” Bruce halted him in the middle of his calculations.

“The mere fact it’s taking you this long means that you’re not approaching this right.” The leader looked a bit puzzled. “What do you mean, Bruce?” “Well,” Bruce continued, “you only have one donor.

Now, the One may work through many, but the only donor that matters is the One. The many just give the ministry what the One has given to them. Your donors aren’t your true source—God is.”

The point

Bruce Wilkinson teaches that while a ministry may receive support from many donors, there is truly only one Donor—God—who gives through many channels; remembering this reorients stewardship toward dependence on God.

Scripture
Audience
Adults
Tone
Reassuring · Clarifying · Encouraging
To tell aloud
about 1 min · 202 words

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