This is an article I wrote for the Missions Ministry once upon a time about raising money for missions trips.
We are sorry that we can't cut you a check to fund your upcoming missions trip.
Aside from not having the resources to hand out blank checks, we also are not convinced it would be biblical.
"If a man will not work, neither let him eat" (2 Thess. 3:10). The bible also says "it is required in stewards that one be found faithful" (1 Cor 4:2). God's not a big piggy bank for the lazy and neither are we! He's a God who entrusts us to be stewards of his possessions (like money) for the work of ministry, and will entrust us as we show ourselves faithful.
We would love to share with you what the bible has to say about finances, stewardship, God's provision, and ideas on how you can raise money. We can pray for God's provision of the finances you need. We can proof-read support letters and give feedback and suggestions. We can share with you our experiences of what worked well and what didn't.
"With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible"(Matt. 19:23) It may seem like an impossible dream to go on a missions trip, especially if you're a student or don't have a bank account bursting at the seams (who does?), but the good news is God is faithful (1 Cor. 1:9) and a rewarder of those who diligently seek him (Heb. 11:6) and is in no way short on money.
First, you should do a heart check. Why do you want to go on a mission trip? Is your motive to serve God selflessly, or because you just want an exotic vacation?
God sees the motives in your heart (1 Chronicles 28:9) and deals accordingly. You shouldn't expect God to fund a self-centered lifestyle; God funds lifestyles of service to Him, He's not a foolish investor. Are you ready and willing to serve?
Second, you should pray and ask God to provide for your financial and other needs. Phillipians 4:6 says we should not be anxious but let all our requests be made known to God with through prayer and petition with thanksgiving. Let God be your first approach not your last resort.
Third, you should work for the opportunity. Show your would-be investors that this is important enough to you that you're willing to accept a personal cost to go on this trip. If your trip isn't important enough for you to invest in, why should they?
One of the way God provides for our needs is by giving us the natural skill and ability to work (Ex. 36:1). Are you willing to pick up an extra shift at work or do some odd jobs or babysitting to make extra money? Can you organize a carwash, garage sale, bake-sale, or other fundraisers? Do you have possessions you could sacrifice to raise money for your trip?
Esther was able to use the talents God has given her by taking what had once been boring inexpensive plain canvas tote-bags and hand-decorating them (with puffy paint and fabric to include a verse reference and a map of Africa) and selling them as a fundraiser for her trip to Uganda.
Debbie, the director of Believers World Outreach, has told us many times in all her experience leading missions trips she has never seen anyone who is earnestly trying not be able to raise the money they needed for their trip. She has seen some people not try and then not come up with the money, but the people who work hard to find ways to raise the money have consistently seen the Lord's provision.
Asking for support is an opportunity to let other people participate in serving God who don't have the time, ability, or physical health neccesary to go on a missions trip to where the spiritual harvest is more fruitful than it would be locally. Asking for support is not about "fundraising" or "need" but about letting those who care about you share in the spiritual fruit that will abound in your heavenly account as a result of this trip (See Phillipians 4:10-17).
One way to do this is by writing a support letter. We've found these to be enormously successful. And even if the people you ask do not have a lot to give financially, or can only contribute through prayer or fasting, they'll still get a reward. Remember the story in Mark 12:41-44 where the poor widow gave two coins worth very little into the Temple offering and Jesus said those two coins were worth more than the large offerings the rich gave because instead of giving out of abundance she gave everything she had? Heavenly reward is not proportional to how deep the pockets are of the giver. If your friends and family can't contribute anything substantial, that's okay. God will make up the difference. Even a small contribution has value.
Also, If you hold a fundraiser such as a carwash or garage sale, don't be shy about letting people who come know why you're raising money. Sometimes people will give above and beyond what you ask or may even ask to make a contribution directly to your trip without anything in exchange because they believe in the cause you're working for.
Time and time again the missions ministry has seen provision for missions trips, that is nothing short of miraculous. Many times it has been at the eleventh hour too, really testing own faith.
Darla felt really called by God to go on a trip to Guinea, but didn't have any of the money since she was also raising money for another trip she'd committed to; some of us had doubts that God would provide. But when we saw a man at a bible study she attended write a check for the entire amount Darla needed to go to Guinea right before they needed to purchase the airline tickets, our faith grew. And she's not the only one we've seen this happen for either. God is not short on money. He CAN pay for your trip. The question is, are you a worker worth your wages? (See 1 Tim 5:18).