A Children's Ministry Lesson
"Strings Attached?"
Receiving Large Financial Gift$
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It is difficult for people to detach themselves from their large financial gifts. This is especially true in six and seven figure gifts. It is rare for such gifts to be given with absolutely no strings attached, exclusive access, or involvement in how the gift is used. When a gift is given blindly with no strings often there is already an established trust concerning financial stewardship, a synergy of understanding on how the gift should be used, a death, or the gift was simply "divinely inspired" with the giver being conscience that they were divinely inspired. In the event of a divinely inspired gift, the receiver's accountability is weightier because it is between them and their Creator. The giver's faith is also between themselves and their Creator. However, even with divinely inspired gifts, it may also be divine for the giver to be engaged with the receiver concerning the stewardship of their gift.
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The receiver needs to decide if they are willing to make room for the person along with the person's financial gift. If the receiver can't make room for the person and the financial gift, the receiver may not be ready for such financial gifts. That is not politics or being financially manipulated, it is courtesy. Otherwise the receiver may be perceived like what my 8 year-old daughter said "All they care about is other people's money". With the stewardship of financial gifts also comes the stewardship of donor relationships. This is not game, hidden agenda, or hidden motive. It is simply appropriate and relational maturity.
"All they care about is other people's money." - Aaliyah McDermott |
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It is important to know that often with large gifts comes the involvement of a person. It is wise for the receiver to attach strings to the giver because the chances are the receiver will need additional funding in the future, as well as the giver to attach strings to the receiver. The bible says a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Attaching strings or cords is a strategic method to ensure that both the receiver and the giver don't end up broken or go broke in their shared goals and effort. The bible also says one's gift makes room for them.
Every six or seven figure gift I have witnessed, divinely inspired or not, included heavy weigh in by the giver concerning how the gift was to be used even if the giver's influence and advising of the gift was not the wisest usage of funds. In this case it is the receiver's responsibility to push back delicately but with strength and systematically make their case for the best usage of the giver's funds. Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Proverbs 18:16 A man's gift makes room for him - Sent from my iPhone |
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