Five Ways to Overcome the Fear of Asking for Money

During normal economic times it is difficult for many of us to ask others for money.  I believe it should be hard.  This difficulty usually means you have a strong relationship with this person and you don’t want to do anything to damage it.  Asking a friend for money for a specific project is serious business.

When you pick up the newspaper or hear the news, all the talk is about how bad things are with the economy.  Such news may give you one more excuse to avoid making the ask for a major gift, especially when a friend is involved.

What I would propose is that you acknowledge the fear and even tell your friend how uncomfortable you are in asking for a gift in times like these.  However, don’t stop there.  Individuals are still giving generous gifts to charities with an urgent cause, a clearly defined mission and the ability to show the difference they make in the lives of those they serve. 

What stands in the way is our own fear.  Here are five ways to overcome our fear:

1. You are not asking for yourself.  You are asking for a great cause you know will touch lives for the glory of our Lord.
2. Express the importance of the gift and what can be accomplished only with this size gift.
3. Ask for a specific amount of money.  Don’t ask the donor to just make a gift they can afford.  When you do this it conveys to the donor that there really is not a real urgent need.
4. Express what will happen if this project is not funded.  If possible, tell a story about someone who was blessed by your ministry and what would have happened if the ministry program was not funded.
5. Finally, pray before going to meet with the person.  Meditate upon this Scripture from 2 Timothy 1:7  “But God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and of self-discipline.” 

God is an awesome God and you are asking on His behalf for a ministry project that will touch many lives.  If you don’t believe this is true, you will probably not be successful in your solicitation for the gift.  Ask for the gift because it will help change a life.  You will be blessed by overcoming your fear.