For deeper impact, prepare and present, for example, an annual four-week series on biblical stewardship, or generosity, including tithing, the impact is significant.
Above all, never pressure anyone to give financially. Encourage your congregation to follow God’s plan and trust His promises.
5. Demonstrate Wise Stewardship on a Consistent Basis.
Giving starts with a vision but continues through good stewardship.
Nothing increases financial trust faster than when the leadership consistently demonstrates wise money management.
If you are not great at the financial part of leadership, get some help from a few sharp business leaders in your church.
6. Teach Tithing Primarily for the Spiritual Growth of the People, More Than the Strength of the Church as an Organization.
As mentioned, it’s a good practice to include tithing within your annual stewardship series, but it deserves special note on its own.
Generosity is not about money as much as it is about trust. It’s a heart issue more than a wallet issue.
It’s essential to trust that God will provide for our personal needs, and that spiritual maturity includes gratitude along with obedience to God prompts.
The result of giving is life changing for each individual and surpasses the significance of the church “making the budget.” I’m not downplaying or dismissing the church’s pressures and need for financial resources, the point is to make the focus more personal than organizational.
7. Don’t Hesitate To Be Bold About Tithing With Leaders.
Tithing is part of a believer’s spiritual journey.
It’s good to be clear and direct, but also be very encouraging with the general congregation when it comes to your teaching on tithing. But when it comes to teaching leaders to tithe, it’s good to be bold.
If a leader is representing the church, carrying spiritual responsibility and commensurate spiritual authority, it needs to be backed by spiritual obedience—including tithing.
Again, never communicate guilt, but remember the idea of generosity started with God.
8. Communicate Current, Relevant and Diverse Stories of Life Change.
Few things are more inspiring than stories of life change.
When your congregation consistently hears these stories from the stage, whether by video or you tell them in person, they are reminded of the vision to reach people and what God wants to do through your church.
Make baptisms part of your worship experience; they are some of the best stories ever told!
9. Offer Personal Financial Training That Meets Day-to-Day Practical Needs.
When we challenge people to give without equipping them to give, we create an element of spiritual dissonance.
Without knowledge of basic budgeting, debt reduction, and personal savings, etc., it’s challenging to embrace consistent giving, let alone tithing.
Offer top-notch financial training through small groups and seminars at your church. Financial freedom is a powerful tool to help your people grow in their faith, wisdom and generosity.
This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.
