Money: We Need to Talk About It (Because Everyone Else Is)

by Reba Collins

Our topic today is money. This is going to get uncomfortable for both church searchers and churches. Church leaders don’t like to talk about it. Church searchers don’t like to hear about it. Church leaders don’t like to talk about it because they know people, in general, don’t want to hear about it. So church leaders say as little as possible about money.

Everyone is happy, even thrilled, not to have to talk or hear about money until they realize….

• …the AC broke and there is no immediate cash to fix it because church leaders failed to inform the congregation of tight budgets;

• … the mission and ministries of the church have gone AWOL because the Call to Offering never offered more than a cursory acknowledgement of what giving supports;

• … the budget has shrunk so much that church leaders feel forced to play the “because the Bible says” obedience giving card to motivate people to pony up in the offering plate.

Public opinion says that churches talk about money too much – as in churches always seem to be asking for money. In many respects, public opinion is right. Many churches do seem to be asking for money all the time. But not good church choices.

Good church choices talk about money a lot, and then they don’t have to beg for it. Confused? When it comes to a good church choice and money, you shouldn’t be.

Good churches approach the money matter by answering three basic questions. Not once a year during stewardship season. Not once a quarter. Not when an immediate need arises. But every single week. Here are the three questions good church choices answer on a weekly basis:

1.       Why should you be generous? Good church choices answer your “why” questions about offerings, stewardship, and tithing. And not in a “Because I said so” way -- or rather because “God says so;” “the Bible says so;” or “Jesus says so.”

 It’s true that Jesus had a lot to say about money. But why? Is it because God, the All-powerful, needs our money? Not hardly. Good churches help us understand that Jesus talked about money because generous giving, responsible stewardship, and tithing benefit us more than they benefit God or God’s church. Benefits that good churches connect to giving and good stewardship include faith growth toward God, personal happiness and fulfillment, and the capacity to do more for others.

Good churches follow Jesus’ approach for getting people to exchange something good (money) for something better (God): wanting something for people before you ask something from them.

2.       What happens when you give the church money? Good churches don’t pass the plate without connecting the dots of your giving to God’s impact through their church. Good churches use stories of life change, stats on ministry effectiveness, and stretch goal updates to show what God is doing in their midst through a culture of generosity. Tangible, measurable vision/mission outcomes always accompany the invitation to participate in God’s work in this world.

3.       How should you give? Good churches assume you are stewardship ignorant. For many churches, October and November are known as “stewardship season.” Driven by the practical budgeting process, churches need to know how much you think you can give for the next year. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, you want a church that doesn’t spend more than it has. But you don’t want a church, either, that doesn’t equip its people to stretch their investment by getting better at giving.

Good churches assume that you don’t know how to give more than you think you have to give. Good churches approach giving with “how to” steps for not only giving, but also for personal financial management. For example, tithing is a Biblical faith growth principle. Good churches don’t demand their fair share based on this principle. Instead, they offer practical tools to help you take steps toward tithing as part of better financial management. Good churches don’t wait for stewardship season to compel you to give more to God. Good churches offer practical steps toward becoming a better steward of God’s resources all year long so that you feel capable of contributing more to God’s work when stewardship season rolls around every year.

A good church approaches the money issue like the rest of us – it’s a part of life. Money is a part of church life as well. Ministry needs money. Good churches recognize this by connecting money to their vision, mission, and purpose as an organization. They connect money to your growth as a disciple of Jesus Christ. And they make both connections weekly.

The Who, What, and How of stewardship for good churches isn’t an all or nothing, once-a-year seasonal pledge drive. Stewardship isn’t just about next year’s budget, either. Good churches regularly leverage our issues around money to help us become more generous by showing us the real-life benefits of being better stewards of God’s gifts.