154: Developing Discipline - Ongoing Stewardship

"...We must now consider what is the main cause of ingratitude..."

This week, I am reading a quote from On Benefits by Seneca the Younger, published in 59 AD.

Reflection questions:

• Have we noticed signs of excessive esteem, greed or jealousy slipping into our thinking when we are reviewing our campaign goals and what donors have given?
• What are ways you can lean into gratitude this week?

Reflection on quote:

In our final episode on developing discipline during capital campaigns, we are discussing ongoing stewardship and the mindsets that can block gratitude.  Throughout this series, we used the metaphor of riding a wild stallion without a saddle. Previously, we discussed developing disciplines with money beliefs, prioritizing tasks, planting seeds of awareness, and the fear of rejection. 

During capital campaigns, we can fall into one of these mindsets that block ongoing gratitude and stewardship because we are confident in the necessity of our work and this campaign project. As a result, we might believe that donors are duty-bound to give to our campaign. We might continually expect donors to give more and more to the campaign. Or, we might be jealous of other campaigns where a donor gave more. 

It is easy for us to slip into these root causes of ingratitude, especially when we are faced with the pressures of a campaign.  When we do, to paraphrase Seneca, we become unworthy of what we have received.  And, in small towns, our ingratitude is often discussed among donors. The reality is that donors do not have to fund our campaigns or fund them at a greater extent than other campaigns. Instead, we develop a discipline of gratitude for every donation.

Next week, we will start a series on leading with integrity during a capital campaign.

This work has entered the public domain.

To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper and to schedule an free explore coaching call, visit ServingNonprofits.com.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

Transcript

0:00

Welcome back. Every week we pause to reflect because capital campaigns, especially in small towns, aren't just about buildings and budgets. They're about people choosing to be generous. This podcast explores the beautiful space where generosity occurs through ancient and modern writings from all cultures and religions seeking deeper wisdom for capital campaign work in small towns. Whether you're just starting out or deep in the middle of a campaign, these five minute reflections will ground you, encourage you, and remind you why this work matters. In our final episode on developing discipline during capital campaigns, we are discussing ongoing stewardship and the mindsets that can block gratitude. Throughout the series, we have used the metaphor of riding a wild stallion without a saddle. Previously, we've discussed developing disciplines with money beliefs, prioritizing tasks, planting seeds of awareness, and the fear of rejection. We are ending this series using ancient wisdom from On Benefits by Seneca the Younger, published in fifty-nine AD. Seneca uses the word benefit to denote an act of generosity. Quote We must now consider what is the main cause of ingratitude. It is caused by excessive self-esteem, by that fault innate to all mortals of taking a partial view of ourselves and our own acts, by greed or by jealousy. Let us begin with the first of these. Everyone is prejudiced in his own favor, from which it follows that he believes himself to have earned all that he receives, regards it as a payment for his service, and does not think that he has been appraised at the valuation sufficiently near his own. Greed does not permit anyone to be grateful, for what is given is never equal to its base desires, and the more we receive, the more we covet. His greed ever stretches itself out further, and he does not understand the greatness of his success because he always looks forward to the point at which he aims and never back towards that from which he started. A more violent and distressing vice than any of these is jealousy, which disturbs us by suggesting comparisons. He gave me this, but he gave more to that man, and he gave it to him before me. After which he sympathizes with no one but pushes his own claims to the prejudice of everyone else By complaining, I shall not make myself deserve to receive more, but shall become unworthy of what I have received." Unquote During capital campaigns, we can fall into one of these mindsets that block ongoing gratitude and stewardship because we are confident in the necessity of our work and of this project. As a result, we might believe that donors are duty-bound to give to our campaign. We might continually expect donors to give more and more to the campaign, or we might be jealous of other campaigns where a donor gave more. It is easy for us to slip into these root causes of ingratitude, especially when we are faced with the pressures of a campaign. When we do, to paraphrase Seneca, we become unworthy of what we have received, and in small towns, our ingratitude is often discussed among donors. The reality is that donors do not have to fund our campaigns or fund them at a greater extent than other campaigns. Instead, we develop a discipline of gratitude for every donation. Let us reflect on two questions this week. Have we noticed signs of excessive esteem, greed, or jealousy slipping into our thinking when we are reviewing our campaign goals and what donors have given? What are ways we can lean into gratitude this week? Next week, we'll start a series on leading with integrity during a capital campaign. Share this podcast if you enjoy these five minute reflections and subscribe to receive these reflections released every week. To explore small town capital campaign coaching deeper, visit serving nonprofits.com. See you next week.