10 Ways To Make It Easy to Talk About Giving in the Church

Money is a touchy subject of conversation, especially for churches. But you can’t avoid the subject of giving in the church, so how can you handle it better?

Giving is a beautiful thing. It impacts the world, the church community, and the individual who gives. Even though some people could get offended when you bring up giving, you can’t let that scare you or water down your teaching.

This blog post has ten ways to make it easier to talk about giving in your church. It may surprise you to discover that talking about giving can be fun when you approach it the right way.

Ready to find out how? Let’s dive in.

Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

Why Is Giving in the Church So Important?

Is a church supposed to talk about giving and tithing to its members? Yes, definitely! Before we go over our top ten ways to talk about giving in your church, we need to make it clear why giving is so important. God loves church tithing and what it represents.

Let’s look at reasons from the Word of God and from the statistics to show us why giving in church is so important.

What the Bible Says

The Bible talks a lot about giving tithes, which means giving a tenth of what we have back to God. In the Old Testament, God told His people to bring a tithe, or ten percent, of their crops and animals to the temple as an offering (Leviticus 27:30). This was a way for them to show their gratitude to God for all He had given them.

Even in the early church, giving tithes was important for church members. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians about the importance of giving cheerfully, saying, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). This shows that giving should come from a willing heart, not because we feel like we have to. The tithes at that time were used to support missionaries and the surrounding community who needed financial aid.

Jesus also talked about giving in the New Testament. He praised the widow who gave all she had, even though it was just a small amount (Mark 12:41-44). This shows that it’s not about how much we give, but the attitude of our hearts when we give.

When we give tithes, we are acknowledging that everything we have comes from God. It’s a way of showing our trust in Him as our provider and giving back a portion of what He has blessed us with. So God wants us to give with a cheerful heart, knowing that He will bless us abundantly in return.

What the Stats Say

According to a recent Forbes article, philanthropic giving has increased in recent years, even with the pandemic and other social and economic unrest. Charitable giving in 2020 saw a 5.1% increase over 2019.

Trends also show that younger generations (millennials and gen z) are more interested in giving than previous generations. And they’re showing increasing sophistication in their giving methods.

So, churches can’t be silent when it comes to giving. People understand the power of financial resources to make a difference in the world. They want to make a positive impact and leave a legacy.

Who better to talk about and tackle these issues than the church?

However, remember that giving in the church is about much more than supporting a good cause.

Giving is a spiritual discipline, a step of obedience, and an act of worship. It’s a natural response as you grow in your relationship with God. And when we come together and give sacrificially, it can be a powerful witness to the world.

God has called some of us to be ministers for His kingdom in the church building. That job is not possible without tithes and offerings. How can a church fulfill its purpose in the modern day without people investing into it? It’s not just about financial support and donating money, its about giving back to the pastors and leaders who pour so much into us.

10 Ways You Can Make Giving in the Church Natural and Easy

Although you know giving is immensely valuable (and necessary for the church to operate), it can still feel awkward to talk about it.

If you’d prefer to pass the mic to a colleague when offering time rolls around, you’re not alone!

But when your church talks about giving the right way, it no longer feels like a loaded or taboo topic. So, here are ten ways you can make it easier to talk about giving in your church.

1. Teach Straight From the Bible

It may be surprising, but scripture talks about money and finances more than most other topics. Some resources cite over 2,000 Bible verses on money-related topics.

Money may not feel like a very spiritual thing to discuss in church, but God clearly has a lot to say about it! In the Bible, the diverse range of subjects under this umbrella include:

• Giving
• Wealth
• Contentment
• Greed
• Debt and Lending
• Poverty
• Provision
• Work
• Stewardship

And others in addition to this list.

Obviously, you can’t cover every single money verse in the Bible in a sermon series or even a year’s worth of giving messages.

But you can select a few key Bible passages for offerings and messages to shape your church’s giving culture and then highlight additional scriptures over time.

In addition, cultivating a firm biblical foundation for your teaching on giving in the church will guard against legalism or greed. It holds everyone accountable because Scripture provides clarity on how to handle finances and the heart issues that are connected.

When your teaching is based on biblical passages, it removes confusion about whether you’re preaching your opinions or seeking personal gain. Let the Bible speak for itself!

2. Be open and honest

Don’t be too flowery or abstract when you talk about giving. Although that may feel like a gentler, less abrasive approach, it’s better to be straightforward. Otherwise, your approach to giving can feel manipulative and underhanded.

Be clear about what the church needs to complete its mission. If people understand the church’s needs and why they’re important, then they can prayerfully consider how they can best contribute. This removes any guesswork or unanswered questions.

Of course, churches have obvious needs like buildings, bills, supplies, and church staffing. The church family needs essential support to function week to week.

Furthermore, financial resources are necessary for ministry, benevolence support, outreach projects, and missions. Giving allows the church to be a generous force in the community–meeting needs and sharing the love of Christ.

3. Make it convenient to give

Once the “why” behind giving is clear, the “how” should be easy to navigate.

You want to provide a variety of ways for members to give. This could include online giving, giving envelopes, or giving through text message.

Your website should have a giving landing page that spells out the payment options, financial oversight, and other pertinent safety and legal information.

Make sure giving is always a simple click away by including:

• Buttons on your homepage on your church website
• Links under your online sermon player
• Links to give in your emails
• Giving kiosks or boxes for in-person giving
• Recurring payment options

You can also have different areas where people can raise funds for different areas of the church they are passionate about giving into, whether its youth ministry, supporting missionaries, or even Sunday services!

4. Encourage online giving

Many businesses are moving to cashless payment systems, and people are well accustomed to using apps and online platforms to make payments. Online giving is one of the most popular giving methods for several reasons.

• It’s simple and can be done from anywhere with an internet connection
• You can set up recurring payments, so you don’t have to think about it each week
• It’s often more secure than giving cash or checks

From the church’s perspective, being able to count and reconcile offerings is obviously easier with digital giving. It improves efficiency and accuracy for the accounting team.

Then, from a spiritual perspective, automatic giving reflects the value that we place on giving to God first. It shows that giving is not based on a whim or emotion; it’s a principle.

5. Find the right rhythm and frequency

You need to find the right rhythm and frequency to discuss giving in the church. When you mention giving regularly, it becomes accepted and expected.

So nobody is shocked or caught off guard when you bring it up.

On the other hand, you don’t want to harp on giving so much that it feels like all you ever talk about is money! That gets old quickly.

A good rule of thumb is to teach on giving at least once a quarter and to make giving announcements every week.

You can also organize giving projects or campaigns throughout the year to help increase participation and provide focus. However, you don’t want to overdo it, or campaigns will lose their impact.

6. Connect giving in the church to mission and outcome

People benefit from understanding the purpose of their giving and seeing the tangible results. And it’s all about people, life change, and advancing the kingdom.

People connect through stories, so how can you vividly and tangibly show the impact of their giving?

The giving story begins with the values and mission of your church. A common purpose gives meaning and unity to the church’s giving.

Then, the story should describe the outcomes and impact. Some tangible ways to show this include:

• Sharing financial giving summaries, totals, and statistics
• Pictures of completed projects and families served
• Testimonies of those who have been blessed
• Videos showing how giving made an impact

You can include these stories in church services. Plus, stories can be featured on social media, in email newsletters, or in annual giving reports.

7. Be transparent and accountable with financials

Churches should operate with integrity in all things, especially financials. Whether you belong to a denomination or are part of a non-denominational church, you should have designated leadership, oversight, processes, and reporting in place.

Here are some keys to accountability.

• Certified professionals should oversee your accounting and finances.
• Create a giving statement or report that is shared with the congregation regularly.
• Appoint an independent board that reviews giving reports and has final approval on budgeting and stewardship.

Operating with integrity and accountability will help people feel confident that their giving is being used wisely. It also allows church leaders to focus on ministry rather than managing finances.

8. Provide tools for individual financial health

As you teach on topics of giving, money, debt, wealth, and finances, you are sharing vital principles that help individuals and their families.

Financial stress is a huge burden. According to a 2021 CNBC report, the average American has $90,460 in debt.

Poor money management and lack of financial health are also devastating for families. A study from Ramsey Solutions found that money is the number one issue married couples argue about.

There are many curriculums to help people with personal finances. Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University (FPU) is a popular one for churches, and there are others. You can use these programs in Sunday School, in small groups, or as a weekend sermon series.

Important topics to cover are:

• Getting out of debt
• Creating a budget
• Saving for emergencies
• Building wealth for retirement

People need to be on solid financial footing. Like many areas of our lives, healthy habits start at home. A financially healthy membership will never be afraid to talk about giving in the church.

9. Highlight giving seasons

Giving is on peoples’ minds at certain times of year more than others. And you’ll see this reflected in culture and media.

Giving is top of mind at the end of the year for a few reasons:

• Using up giving budgets before the new year
• Finding ways to lower taxable income
• Holidays inspire people to think about giving more than usual
• Gratitude and giving are a significant focus in November and December
• Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving

You can take advantage of giving seasons by planning ahead and incorporating announcements into your church communication calendar. Other non-profits and good causes will be soliciting your members for Giving Tuesday and end-of-year donations, so don’t be shy.

Be sure that your members know the options to give to their local church. By giving advance notice and providing multiple opportunities, you can make it easy for people to give during these important times.

10. Organize campaigns and projects

People like to know precisely where their money is going. So, you can provide opportunities for them to give to specific initiatives.

Ideas for giving campaigns could include

• Supplying a local school in your community and serving the teachers
• Providing scholarships for families with limited finances
• Supporting a missionary or missions trip project
• Enhancements or renovations to your building or property
• Starting a new ministry initiative

Strategic giving campaigns make it easy for people to talk about donations and get excited about the projects. Be sure to organize giving campaigns and projects with a clear purpose, budget, and timeline.

Providing visual updates for meeting these goals can be particularly inspiring and motivating.

Plus, giving campaigns can be promoted on social media, in your church announcements, or newsletters. You can even have giving kiosks set up in the lobby or designate special funds on your giving page.

Basics for Talking About Giving in Church

Talking about money in church can sometimes feel uncomfortable, but it’s an important part of stewardship and supporting the work of the church. By approaching the topic with transparency, sensitivity, and biblical wisdom, churches can foster a culture of generosity and financial health.

This section explores the basics for discussing money in church, divided into three key areas: transparency, stewardship, and biblical principles.

Transparency

Transparency is crucial when discussing money in church. Members of the congregation should feel informed about how the church manages its finances and where their contributions are being allocated. This includes providing regular updates on the church’s budget, expenses, and any special fundraising initiatives. By being open and honest about financial matters, churches can build trust and accountability within the congregation.

Leadership should also be transparent about the importance of financial support for the church’s ministries and operations. This may involve discussing the practical needs of the church, such as facility maintenance, staff salaries, and outreach programs. When congregants understand the financial realities facing the church, they are more likely to support its mission and contribute generously.

Stewardship

Another key aspect of talking about money in church is emphasizing the biblical principle of stewardship. Stewardship means recognizing that everything we have belongs to God, and we are called to manage it wisely for His purposes. Churches can encourage stewardship by teaching on topics such as budgeting, debt management, and generous giving.

It’s important to emphasize that stewardship is about more than just financial giving; it encompasses all aspects of life, including time, talents, and resources. By highlighting the biblical mandate to be faithful stewards, churches can inspire congregants to prioritize generosity and sacrificial giving.

Biblical Principles

When discussing money in church, it’s essential to ground the conversation in biblical principles. The Bible offers guidance on topics such as generosity, contentment, and financial integrity. Churches can draw from passages such as Proverbs 3:9-10 (“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine”) and 2 Corinthians 9:7 (“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”).

By aligning discussions about money with Scripture, churches can help congregants understand the spiritual significance of financial stewardship and giving. This enables them to approach their finances with faith and obedience, trusting in God’s provision and generosity.

Talking about money in church requires transparency, stewardship, and a commitment to biblical principles. By fostering open dialogue, promoting wise stewardship, and grounding discussions in Scripture, churches can cultivate a culture of generosity and financial health within the congregation.

When congregants understand the importance of supporting the work of the church and managing their resources for God’s glory, they can experience the joy of giving and participate fully in advancing God’s kingdom.

Giving in the Church

Talking about giving in the church is about being open, teaching stewardship, and following biblical wisdom. When churches are transparent about their finances, members can trust where their money goes. By emphasizing stewardship, congregants learn to manage their resources wisely and give generously.

Grounding discussions in biblical principles reminds us that everything we have belongs to God, and we’re called to honor Him with our giving. When churches approach giving with transparency, stewardship, and biblical wisdom, they create a culture of generosity where members can joyfully support the work of the church and experience the blessings of giving.

We pray over the giving at your church! God bless!

More on Church Giving

• Seven Financial Changes Your Church Needs To Make To Thrive This Year
• 108 Powerful Scriptures On Giving to Share During Offering Time
• A Complete Church Treasurer Job Description for Your Church
• 5 Biblical Reasons to Give – Plus 15 Tithing Verses
• 8 Shocking Church Giving Statistics

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