Podcast Episode Summary

The Fundraising Masterminds Podcast

Episode 108: Is Fundraising Biblical? What Scripture Really Says About Asking for Money
Date: October 29, 2025
Hosts: Jason Galicinski (“A”), Jim Dempsey (“B”)

Episode Overview

This episode delves into one of the most important and frequently misunderstood topics for Christian nonprofit leaders: Is fundraising biblical? Podcast hosts Jason Galicinski and Jim Dempsey, drawing on decades of nonprofit experience, explore whether the act of asking for financial support aligns with scriptural principles. They address common discomforts—sometimes called the “ickiness” of fundraising—and unpack 10 key scriptures that demonstrate not only the biblical roots of generous giving but show that, when done properly, fundraising is an invitation to joyful, God-honoring generosity.

Key Discussion Points & Scriptural Insights

1. Addressing the “Ickiness” of Fundraising

• Many Christian leaders struggle with feeling uncomfortable or even “icky” about asking for money, seeing it as distracting from ministry or spiritually inappropriate.
• [01:23] A: “A few weeks ago, we did an episode called the Beggar Mentality of Fundraising ... this is kind of the counterbalance of that episode.”
• The distinction is drawn between manipulative, guilt-based fundraising and biblically grounded, Spirit-led giving.

2. The Biblical Basis for Fundraising

a) Scriptures That Affirm Biblical Fundraising

1. Exodus 25:1-2 — The Prompted Heart ([03:34])

   • God commands Moses to ask for an offering, but requests it be received “from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.”
   • Quote [04:24] A: “He’s commanding people to give. But really, he wants people to give out of a willingness, out of a generous heart.”
   • Key principle: Divine command + Donor Free Will = Biblical Giving

2. 2 Corinthians 9:7 — The Cheerful Giver ([07:02])

   • “Each one of you must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.”
   • [07:02] B: “In some translations it says cheerful giving is giving hilariously … that's the kind of attitude that God wants for us.”
   • Joyful giving is an act of free will, not compulsion—mirroring God’s gift of free will in salvation.

3. Deuteronomy 15:10 — Giving Freely, Not Grudgingly ([10:16])

   • “You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all you undertake.”
   • When you give freely, God blesses your work—often in unexpected ways (e.g., health, family, provision).

4. Acts 20:35 — The Greater Blessing in Giving ([15:05])

   • “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
   • [15:53] B: “...when we get a gift from [a donor], we think we’re the ones going to be blessed. But in reality, Jesus is saying, no, the person who gives is blessed more than the person who receives.”

5. Proverbs 11:25 — Mutual Blessing ([16:47])

   • “Whoever brings a blessing will be enriched, and the one who waters will himself be watered.”
   • Giving is a two-way relationship; blessings flow to both giver and receiver.

6. Acts 4:32-35 — Radical Generosity in the Early Church ([17:15])

   • Early Christians shared all resources as needs arose, giving sacrificially and collectively for the good of all.
   • [18:01] B: “...everyone gave in a different way. They gave radically ... they served the body.”

7. Proverbs 3:9-10 — Honoring God with Firstfruits ([18:37])

   • “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops. Then your barns will be filled to overflowing ...”
   • Faithful generosity leads to overflowing blessing—often beyond material wealth.

8. Matthew 6:21 — The Heart Follows Treasure ([22:54])

   • “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
   • [23:16] B: “Your giving reveals your priorities; your heart doesn’t come first, your giving does, and then we determine where your heart is from there.”
   • Giving actually shapes our focus and passion, drawing our hearts to God’s work.

9. 2 Corinthians 8:1-4 — The Macedonian Example ([25:44])

   • The Macedonian church, despite poverty, begged to give generously, overflowing with joy in their sacrifice.
   • [27:18] B: “...they begged Paul for the privilege to be part of his ministry ... that’s powerful.”

10. 1 Chronicles 28–29 — David’s Visionary Fundraising Blueprint ([27:47])

    • David publicly casts the vision for the temple, leads with his own gift, makes a public ask, and the people respond with joyful, freewill offerings.
    • Several elements mirror modern fundraising best practice:
      • Vision casting
      • Leading gifts from leadership
      • Public invitation to give
      • Celebration and gratitude
    • [29:51] A (quoting scripture): “Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord.”
    • [30:50] A: “David cast the vision. He provided lead gifts... a public ask. The response was public and joyful ... then there was an attitude of gratitude celebration afterwards.”

b) Applying the Scriptures to Modern Fundraising

• The show’s “Perfect Vision Dinner”—a fundraising event whose structure is directly inspired by 1 Chronicles 28–29—stands as a living example that scripture gives a blueprint for generous and joyful fundraising.
  • [32:14] A (listener feedback): “She emailed me and said, ‘Wow, I just saw the Perfect Vision Dinner in the Bible’… you guys really pulled this right out of Scripture.”
• Biblical fundraising is not about manipulation, pressure, or guilt, but inviting people into a partnership with God’s work.
• [35:02] A: “...our model is different. It's just getting the right people in the right place at the right time to present an opportunity that will resonate with their hearts and in allowing the Holy Spirit to do the work in their hearts…”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:42] B: “There’s a lot of misperceptions out there, Jason ... Jesus talks about money more than any other topic in scripture.”
• [12:47] A: “...when a child does something for you in love, they’re gonna go out of their [way] to show you ... and that’s what creates that relationship.”
• [14:07] B: “You can never outgive God … giving is that one area that God says, try me and test me.”
• [29:51] A (quoting): “Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord.”
• [33:24] B: “If there's ever a question ... is this something I should do? Well, if it’s done according to scripture ... this was built on the word of God.”
• [36:48] B (closing reflection): “Is fundraising biblical? Absolutely. And secondly, is development ministry? Without a doubt. ... go back to the scripture we gave you and you will see that clearly these were modeled by the Lord in these examples.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & framing the “ick” factor: 00:15–02:18
• Is fundraising biblical? What’s the difference between development and fundraising? 02:18–03:13
• Scripture #1 — Exodus 25:1-2: 03:13–05:35
• Scripture #2 — 2 Corinthians 9:7: 06:42–09:44
• Scripture #3 — Deuteronomy 15:10: 10:16–13:55
• Scripture #4 — Acts 20:35: 15:05–16:47
• Scripture #5 — Proverbs 11:25: 16:47–17:15
• Scripture #6 — Acts 4:32-35: 17:15–18:32
• Scripture #7 — Proverbs 3:9-10: 18:37–21:56
• Scripture #8 — Matthew 6:21: 22:54–25:38
• Scripture #9 — 2 Corinthians 8:1-4: 25:44–27:20
• Scripture #10 — 1 Chronicles 28–29: 27:47–33:24
• Application: Model for Modern Fundraising: 33:24–35:38
• Summary/reflection/Q&A wrap-up: 35:38–37:18

Final Takeaways

• Fundraising, when practiced according to scriptural principles, is not only biblical, but also God-ordained.
• Spiritual fundraising invites donors to participate joyfully and freely in God’s work, resulting in mutual blessing.
• The best development strategies are modeled after biblical examples, rooted in vision, generosity, transparency, and gratitude.
• If leaders feel uneasy about fundraising, reflecting on these scriptures can reframe their perspective and bolster confidence.

For Nonprofit Leaders

This episode calls Christian nonprofit leaders to see fundraising as a ministry itself: an act of faith, a means to disciple others in generosity, and an opportunity to witness God’s faithfulness. The biblical approach is not to pressure, but to invite, inspire, and celebrate every freewill, joyful act of generosity.

“Is fundraising biblical? Absolutely.” – Jim Dempsey [36:48]