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Leading During Financially Challenging Times—3
Give Bigger
Giving takes faith. And giving takes more faith when there might be less to give. That’s why in tough times, I believe it is important to give bigger.
As the spiritual leader of the church, we tend to set the tone.
- A generous pastor typically leads a generous church.
- A stingy pastor typically leads a stingy church.
My whole family met recently to plan how we could dramatically increase the percentage of our giving. It is easy to give what we know we can give. I love what God does in us when we plan to give more than we thought we ever could.
Whether your church knows what you give or not isn’t important. God knows. And I believe He will honor the faith and sacrifices of the ministry leader during rocky financial times.
What is God showing you about this?
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This is an interesting and timely post for me. I’ve been trying to discern God’s leading on increasing my giving during our tough times, so this is like confirmation to me. I had felt that God was challenging me to give a large, sacrificial gift to lead the way for our church.
Not only is it important to know that Leaders are setting the tone financially but this is the time to set the tone with outreach programs that don’t have to cost a dime. Encourage your congregation to INVEST in something or someone other than themselves. Ask people to submit creative cost free ideas and implement some of them as a church or group…I think you will be surprised to find many idea gems and that people will get more excited about blessing someone else when they have a part in the process.
Dave, Very cool to hear. Thanks!
Right on Craig. Anytime anyone has approached me about their bad financial situation, I always tell them to double what they give for 90 days and see what God does. It’s a complete faith thing. Thanks for the post.
Respect as always for your transparency Craig! When you referenced us as the “spiritual” leaders of our churches I was reminded that no matter what facade one creates regarding giving, the truth is discerned by people in your church. A giving heart is in every area of your life or it is not. From the passing plate to blessing the struggling co-worker, you believe in the seed or you don’t. They will see the truth.
I get it, but will I live. You have definitely challenged me on this one. So often it’s easy to get comfortable in our giving. It’s not hard for me to give what I give each week - it’s become a discipline rather that a sacrificial gift back to God. “God, show me whats next.”
My wife and I are stretching our giving this year. Honestly, it’s hard. With 4 kids it’s hard to give things up but it’s been so rewarding. We both believe in it and know God will honor it. It has actually brought our marriage a deeper level of intimacy as we give together to help others.
Craig, leading from a heart of generosity is easy when it is who you have been in the past. Our church (for 22 years) has always given to other churches who are building, leasing a new facility or attempting a new and costly outreach. We started this way when we had nothing and barely 120 people. It is a part of our culture. We share our corporate giving with the congregation and they love it. We gave 10K to the Methodist Church or Nazarene Church in our city or we gave 5K to a ministry three hours from here. Oh, we do this while we are building too and doing costly outreach. Generosity changes everything and keeps the church living OUTSIDE its walls. Giving is healthy man!
Like i said yesterday INCREASE!
Craig, I am curious, how do you model being a generous pastor other than just saying it from behind the pulpit?
Patrick, I hear you! It does take a lot raising kids in our culture. So glad to hear your generosity is bringing your closer to your wife!
Alex, Wow! That is bold advice challenging people to double their giving for 90 days! Love it!
Troy, I am going to answer your important question on tomorrow’s post. Looking forward to hearing what others of you say about his question.
Craig, It’s 22:20 and I just got home from youth. This has nothing to do with your post but I need advice please…Our youthministry has “IT” and we are attracting a lot of unchurched kids. They dress funny, smell funny, and have funny habits. Some of the “christian” parents are complaining about the crowd we are attracting and they are keeping their kids from youth…one parent feels we should chase the “bad apples” away! Your thoughts?
Ewald - I’m sitting here weeping as I read your comments. Craig - I don’t want to take away from your advice for Ewald. We’ve been where you are right now - one time a “silver-haired matriarch of the church” asked “Who’s bringing this riff raff into MY church??” When my husband answered, “Me,” she was quite upset that he would allow “riff-raff” into HER church. Some people just don’t get IT, do they? Jesus came to seek the SICK and the LOST. You’re obviously doing something right to attract these kids - now go out and minister to them! And pray for the kids whose parents want to chase away the “bad apples” - pray that someday those kids will have the same heart for unchurched souls as you do!
Ewald -
I agree with Pam W. Our student ministries has grown from 10 to 50+ students since school started. It’s growth has come from a few student leaders who beieve that God is moving something huge in our student community. We too have had comments made by folks in and out of our church family about the type of student we have attracted. But, we have surged forward and God has blessed us with more than we could ever imagined. He will deliver your group as well. Pray, pray and pray. Most of all, know that God is large and in charge. Know His (will) will be done! Keep up the great work….
We have been talking in our home group about the widow who gave her last two cents. NO-body I know has EVER given like her. I am SO challenged by that kind of generosity. Even if I wrote a check right now that cleaned out my bank account and 401Ks, I still wouldn’t really be giving my last two cents like her. We would still have so much.
That’s who Jesus pointed out to his disciples as the standard though. I can’t wipe her image out of my mind. I know that’s the kind of heart I want though.
I am trying to catch up to a week away from posts Craig. This is a good week of them. I wish I had been here all along to comment. I struggle with this issue because I am, by nature, a generous person. I hope that doesn’t sound like bragging. I give books away. I have given cycling clothes to friends. I have been saving for a new bike for years but seem to be as far away today as when I started because I keep finding other things to give to. The church I pastor just had a 4th anniversary challenge and my bride and I had made a commitment among ourselves as to our response and we came up short so I went into my bike fund. But, and here is the real issue, how does the pastor let the church know he is a generous person and not stingy? I don’t want to toot my own horn. That is arrogant and wrong. Any answers?
Ewald,
I experienced the same thing as a youth pastor, and the thing I did that helped the most was to identify the key sources of the negative views toward the new students, and meet with these key sources in their homes (often meeting with both students and parents). I listened fully to their hurts and frustrations, and lovingly explained the our mission to them.
It didn’t fix all problems, but it helped a lot. You also need to be aware of any of your volunteer leaders who may be promoting this negativity. I worked with a couple of them successfully, and I had to remove another who would not change. Tough stuff, but reaching the lost is worth it! Keep up the good fight, and praise God for the opportunity!!