Meals Together: Food and Fundraising
“This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
Photo by Dan Gold
This comment was made by the Pharisees, the serious Bible teachers of Jesus’ day. They meant it as a criticism. But actually it’s a compliment—it would make a great Christian epitaph on a tombstone! “Here lies [your name]…Dined with Sinners!”
The gospels record 12 meal-times where Jesus had meaningful ministry—not counting the two feedings of the multitudes:
John 2:1-10 Wedding feast at Cana
Luke 5:27-32 At Levi’s house with Levi’s tax collector friends and others
Luke 7:36-50 A Pharisee asked Jesus to dine with him
Luke 10:38-42 Hosted by Mary and Martha
Luke 11:37-52 A Pharisee asked Jesus to have lunch with him
Luke 14:1-24 At the home of a Sanhedrin leader
Luke 19:1-10 Jesus invites himself to Zaccheus’ house
Matthew 26:6-13 At the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany
Luke 22:14-27 Last Supper
Luke 24:28-32 At the home of the two men on the road to Emmaus
Luke 24:36-43 Resurrection appearance to the Eleven at Jerusalem
John 21:1-23 Breakfast on the beach at the Sea of Galilee with the Eleven
Over meals Jesus taught powerful truths or healed physical maladies. Eating together continued during the early days of the new church. Acts 2:46 says:
“Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart.”
Eating together is not merely about satisfying hunger—it includes sharing and bonding. Its where memories are made, where decisions are debated, where secrets and feelings are shared.
Often, we don’t even know what we think about a certain topic until we talk with someone about it. Over meals with others we discover who we are. It allows us to know and to be known—to be human with other humans.
But in the West, sales of dining tables and dinner plates are decreasing. Some modern houses don’t have dining rooms. We eat fast food at the kitchen counter with our fingers while we fiddle with our phones. Usually alone.
Fundraising and food? It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. Dining with your potential giving partners adds enjoyment and deepens your friendship.
Food and Fundraising Tips:
If you invite them, you buy!
Turn off your cell phone—ignore it for the evening. You won’t die.
Having the meal in your home (or their home) deepens the bonding.
Don’t hurry to launch your presentation. Relax. Share your spiritual journey. Ask them to share theirs.
Focus the conversation on your potential giving partner. The talk should be 60% about them.
Table manners matter. Pretend your Mom is there too!
How did Jesus spend His last evening? At a meal with his followers. How will we spend eternity with Him? At the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9).
