What Do We Believe About Giving? The Balance of Generosity and Stewardship
Giving is at the heart of the Christian life. But when it comes to generosity, many churches struggle with how to teach and model it effectively. What do we believe about giving? How do generosity and stewardship fit together in a way that honors God?
Generosity and stewardship are two sides of the same coin—literally and figuratively. You can have one without the other, but not for long. If you focus only on generosity, you might give recklessly and find yourself unable to continue giving. If you focus only on stewardship, you risk hoarding resources rather than using them to bless others.
As church leaders, we need a well-defined approach to generosity—one that balances both stewardship and generosity in a way that leads to a thriving, engaged, and giving congregation.
Defining Generosity and Stewardship
Stewardship is wisely managing resources that don’t ultimately belong to us. Everything we have—our money, time, and talents—comes from God. Stewardship recognizes that we are caretakers, not owners.
Generosity, on the other hand, is the act of freely sharing those resources. Biblical generosity isn’t just about giving—it’s about giving in a way that reflects God’s heart. True generosity stems from good stewardship. Without stewardship, generosity is unsustainable. Without generosity, stewardship becomes selfishness.
Howard Dayton, a well-known financial teacher, sums it up well: “What you possess, God owns.” Our role is to manage those possessions wisely and use them to fulfill God’s purposes.
Why Churches Need a Clear Strategy for Giving
Too many churches hope their members will simply "get it" when it comes to generosity. They hope that their people will understand that they are supposd to give and then do it. But hope is not a strategy. If we want to cultivate a generous culture, we need a plan.
Many pastors have structured strategies for discipleship, outreach, and worship. Yet when it comes to teaching biblical stewardship and generosity, many churches rely on occasional sermons or financial peace workshops. While those are helpful, they’re not enough.
A clear generosity strategy should include:
✅ Preaching: Regularly teaching biblical principles of giving
✅ Teaching: Small group discussions and discipleship programs focused on stewardship
✅ Celebrating: Sharing stories of generosity in action and expressing gratitude
✅ Modeling: Church leadership practicing and demonstrating generosity
Churches that clearly define what they believe about giving and teach it consistently see greater engagement, deeper discipleship, and stronger financial health.
Examples of Successful Church Giving Strategies
Different churches have answered the question, What do we believe about giving?, in different ways. Here are a few powerful examples:
🔹 Sun Valley Church (Arizona): Their simple and memorable message is “Give first, save second, live on the rest.” This phrase is repeated often and helps members understand a biblical approach to money.
🔹 Redeemer NYC (with former Lead Pastor, Tim Keller): They emphasize “holistic generosity,” where financial giving is part of a larger culture of generosity, including hospitality and service.
🔹 Crossroads Church: They believe generosity transforms lives and encourage members to honor God by using His gifts as He intended, integrating financial giving with a broader culture of stewardship.
Each of these churches has crafted a generosity culture that aligns with their mission. The key takeaway? Churches that define what they believe about giving can effectively disciple their people in this crucial area.
Final Thoughts: A Call to Action for Church Leaders
If your church doesn’t have a clearly defined theological understanding and a strategy around giving, now is the time to create one.
Ask yourself:
What does our church really believe about generosity and stewardship?
How are we teaching this to our congregation?
Do we have a strategy that goes beyond a simple annual giving campaign?
Generosity and stewardship aren’t just about funding the church’s vision and mission—they’re about forming disciples who trust God with everything. When we teach giving as a spiritual practice, we help people grow in their faith, not just in their finances.
🚀 Want to go deeper? Join us for a LIVE webinar on March 27 at 6 PM EST with Greg Morris, where we’ll discuss how to increase engagement and inspire generosity in your church.
