Have you ever wondered how to increase giving in your church? Of course, you have! Few pastors have more money than they need. Most pastors deal with insomnia and fight ulcers because of budget issues.
If you spend more money on salaries and your building than on outreach you’re normal. Normal is not Biblical though.
Can you imagine having more money than last month? How would it feel to rid yourself of the stress of a mortgage on the church building? Wouldn’t it be great to increase your budget for community outreach? Imagine more people coming to faith.
In this brief article, I will share nine proven ways to increase giving in your church.
Giving to a church is an act of grace. Pastors must never use tools of manipulation, guilt, shame, or coercion to increase giving. If you want to increase giving in your church prepare to be humble, honest, and open-minded.
This article is for pastors. If you’re not a pastor proceed at your own peril.
#1 — Biblically Talk About Money
Christians have a financial obligation to the Kingdom. Jesus modeled and encouraged radical generosity (John 13:29 & Luke 16:9). Paul expected believers to contribute to needs as they were able. (2 Corinthians 8:7). Peter warned about false preachers (2 Peter 2:3). Luke described the death of Ananias and Saphira (Acts 5:10).
Talk about financial subjects. Discuss stewardship with the congregation. Preach expositionally through 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 and do the text justice. Preach the text, not your opinion.
If you’re unable to faithfully speak about financial subjects bring in someone else who can.
Paul asked the Corinthian church to forgive him for something truly odd. He indicated that he was a financial burden to the other churches but not to them (2 Corinthians 12:13).
Boldly and Biblically speak about money and money-related topics.
This is a proven way to increase giving in your church.
#2 — Say Thank You — Increase Giving In Your Church
My wife and I have the gift of giving. We love to give to churches, missionaries, random people, and ministries. Practicing radical generosity is our jam (an article on how to do it).
The majority simply cash the check.
Saying “thank you” is a great way to build trust among those who give.
My pastor rarely receives an offering. He simply thanks the people for giving faithfully and tells them how to give. Buckets or offering plates are not passed.
Practice gratitude towards those who give generously.
Use your church email list to say thank you. Say thank you on social media.
Appreciation is a great way to increase giving in your church.
Is this manipulative? No. It’s simply good manners to say thank you.
Paul memorialized the church in Philippi in his letter to them for their generosity. He did the same for the church in Macedonia.
Be like Paul and say thank you.
#3 — Make Giving Easy — Increase Giving In Your Church
I only write checks when I must. The world has changed and your church needs to adapt immediately. If you’re trying to reach a younger crowd you better make some adjustments.
I strongly encourage you to receive contributions through your website or via text.
Stop passing the buckets and plates ASAP! It’s awkward, a waste of precious time, and intrusive.
My church uses Pushpay and I love it! We regularly give to another church that uses it as well. When we give to others and they use a more complicated system it’s frustrating.
Sure, there is a cost component involved. Get over it.
Stop being pennywise and pound foolish.
#4 — Help Men Feel Welcome Will Increase Giving In Your Church
Most churches are feminine. Men and dads are a planning afterthought.
The error-riddled concept of toxic masculinity has infiltrated most churches as well.
The result? Men are bailing on the church.
The faith of children is exponentially impacted when both parents attend church. When only mom attends there is a severe dropoff of their children putting their faith in Christ.
Win the dad and win the family.
Stop singing “Jesus Is My Boyfriend” songs.
Pastor, get involved with the men in your church. Most men don’t understand or trust pastors. Pastors are compared to politicians. We secretly believe that you’re not truly working a full-time job and getting paid way more than you deserve.
Stop emasculating men from the pulpit. Men get bashed enough in sitcoms and romcoms. Esteem the men of your church. We don’t need pastor potshots so you can win favor with the girls in the church.
Be a man. Respect the men in your church. Call them up, theologically.
Perhaps you’re not sure where to start. Maybe you’re too deep into the pastel colors and Beth Moore study guides to break free.
I recommend listening to some Canon Press videos on YouTube. Douglas Wilson will help you get on the right track.
Tread cautiously, though. You’re not going to turn this ship in just a few Sundays.
Imagine having both the husband and wife on the same page.
Welcoming men back into the fold is a great way to increase giving in your church.
#5 — Humble Yourself
Most likely your budget is totally out of whack. Churches spend more than half of their budgets on salaries. Nearly a quarter of the budget goes to cover facility expenses.
For every $1.00 given to the average church, $0.75 goes to pay salaries and facilities. Only $0.25 is available for other important stuff.
Where is your church on this spending spectrum? Is missionary work a high priority? Are you assisting in the planting of new churches? Can you bless your local community without adding strain to an overstressed budget?
Perhaps it’s time to take a fresh look at how money is being spent in the church. Is it possible to decrease salaries, facilities, and overhead each by 1% next year?
It’s possible that your budgeting skills are not as sharp as you think.
Proverbs 22:4 The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
Tap some of the qualified persons in your church to help straighten the budget.
#6 — Provide Many Giving Options
Christians are moved by different things. One person fully loves to support mission work. A family with toddlers might have a heart for children’s ministry or vacation bible school.
Provide as many unique giving buckets as possible. One big bucket is for the general fund. There should be other giving buckets for students, missionaries, a building fund, local outreach, and church benevolence.
If you really want to increase giving in your church open up more options.
#7 — Be Transparent
Financial transparency is expected. There have been far too many financial scandals in churches. Church members have the right to know how funds are being spent.
Make it as simple or as elaborate as you would like. I’m fully okay with a breakdown of all expenses by percentage. If there is an imbalance don’t get your knickers in a knot if you get some pushback.
I’m uncomfortable with salaries exceeding fifty percent of a church budget. I am hesitant to give sacrificially to a church that is simply hiring additional staff.
Pastors need financial accountability as well. The days of the Lone Wolf leader are long gone.
Added trust will help reluctant people overcome their reluctance.
#8 — Crowd Out Uncle Sam
Regrettably, the church abdicated its benevolence authority to Uncle Sam. Uncle Sam swooped in with tax dollars and the church backed off without a whimper. That situation must be changed.
LBJ’s war on poverty has been a societal train wreck.
What would it take for your fellowship to open a faith-based food bank?
Could churches in your area establish a school based on classical Christian education? The public school system is in shambles. Education is replaced with propaganda and indoctrination.
How are you assisting moms in need of diapers, a car seat, job training, or a resume review? Here’s an article that I wrote about blessing single moms. Hopefully, you are inspired by it.
Radical givers are searching for solid eternal investments. Salaries don’t inspire radical giving.
Replacing Uncle Sam and truly making a difference in your city is inspirational. Just don’t replace the actual Gospel of Christ with works of service.
#9 — Honor Business Owners
Pastors frequently denigrate business owners and white-collar workers. It is often unintentional but the slight is felt and is difficult to overcome.
When is the last time you prayed publicly for the business owners in your congregation? Praying over those going into full-time gospel service is common. The rest of us feel we’re only there to pay the way for everyone else.
We’re only needed during capital stewardship campaigns or when someone needs a job. Honor the business owners and side hustlers.
God has entrusted His resources to them. They don’t owe you anything. Perhaps God is teaching you something and has kept silent to them about giving.
Just a thought.
Bonus — Rightsize The Cost of Admission
The price of admission to many churches is ten percent of one’s income. Pastor, I implore you to dig deeper into this subject.
Giving ten percent of one’s income is simply not Biblical. I understand that this is a controversial statement but it should not be.
Tithing was an Old Testament requirement for farmers and ranchers. Jesus fulfilled the law and tithing is no longer required for them.
Setting the giving bar at 10% excludes many families. Some will never get to that magic number. Others use it as a fake floor. God owns it all.
Here is a list of ministers who reject the validity of tithing: C.S. Lewis, Charles Spurgeon, Francis Chan, John Bunyan, John MacArthur, John Wesley, Justin Martyr, Martin Luther (the original), and Russell Earl Kelley.
Russel is the person who pulled me out of this false teaching. He completed his doctoral thesis on the subject and wrote a very accessible book on the subject.
Here is a list of ministers who defend the validity of tithing: Robert Morris (Gateway Church), Bill Hybels (Willow Creek), Steven Furtick, Kenneth Copeland, Douglas Wilson, Joyce Meyer, Rick Warren, Chris Hodges (Church of the Highlands), and Ed Young.
Creflo Dollar recently stated that tithing was not part of grace but law. That is surprising. I’m going to reserve judgment. I recall Benny Hinn once “repenting” for advocating the prosperity gospel but that was short-lived.
Wrap It Up, Bro
My heart is in the local church. I’ve served as a lead pastor and understand the unique challenges. As a youth pastor, I felt the sting of imbalanced budgets. I’ve witnessed churches fail because of money.
I want you to be able to do all that God has called you to do.
If there is any way that I can help you please let me know.
Blessings!