Art Rainer

## Money is a difficult topic to broach in church. Many pastors are fearful to speak on it and many churchgoers hate to hear about it. So, sometimes, both parties just decide to avoid it. But this is not best. God’s perspective on money needs to be taught and learned.

So, if you are a churchgoer who just noticed that the upcoming sermon is on money, here are 5 ways to prepare for it:

### 1. Plan to attend.

Don’t skip church just because you are uncomfortable with the topic. As long as you have a pastor who is providing a Biblical perspective on money, you should be there.

### 2. Realize the Bible talks about money a lot.

Specifically, Jesus dedicated a significant portion of His teachings to the topic of money. And for good reason. The way one manages their money is a reflection of their heart. Because Jesus emphasized the role of money in our lives, so should your pastor. Your real concern should be a pastor who avoids the topic of money.

> Because Jesus emphasized the role of money in our lives, so should your pastor. Your real concern should be a pastor who avoids the topic of money.

### 3. Read and contemplate Matthew 25:14-30.

This is most commonly referred to as the Parable of the Talents. God has given each of us some resources to manage for the advancement of His Kingdom. This includes the management of our money Hopefully, reading and contemplating this passage will make you more eager to learn more about financial stewardship.

### 4. Pray.

Pray that God will use the upcoming sermon to speak to your heart. Pray that God will wipe away any cynicism toward your pastor and his teaching. Pray that God will show you ways in which you can better align with His design for your money.

### 5. Set you mind on listening with open ears and an open heart.

I don’t pretend to know how God will use the sermon in your life. But what I do know is that if you are determined not gain anything from it, you will probably be successful. Allow God to work in your life through the teaching and studying of the Bible. Whether it is about money or anything else in the Bible, listen to what God has to say. He knows you best. He designed you. And you need to know how His design was meant to work.

*[Image](https://www.artrainer.com/post/5-ways-churchgoers-should-prepare-for-a-sermon-on-money) used with permission*

You were meant for more. Your money was meant for more. You and your money are meant for an exciting, adventurous, and satisfying purpose. You were designed to live and give generously. And deep inside you know this and want this.

Church

If you are a churchgoer who just noticed that the upcoming sermon is on money, here are 5 ways to prepare for it...

5 Ways Churchgoers Should Prepare for a Sermon on Money

## Concerning money and possessions, the Bible is sometimes extreme, sometimes shocking. When we come to Scripture, it’s for comfort, not for assaults against our worldview, right? Let *God* talk about love and grace, thank you. Let *us* talk about money and possessions—then do with them whatever we please.

Were we honest, that’s what many of us would say.

Some believers ask each other tough questions: “Have you been spending time in the Word? Sharing your faith? Guarding your sexual purity?” Yet how often do we ask, "Are you winning the battle against materialism?” Or, "Have you been peeking at those tempting magazines and websites? You know, the ones that entice you to greed?”

People are more open even about their sexual struggles than about battling materialism, which may be the final frontier. Some churches do talk about getting out of debt. I applaud that. But you can be debt free and still be stingy and greedy. We don’t need to become smarter materialists; we need to repent of materialism and become smart *stewards*.

Jesus sees our hearts and knows us well. He doesn’t call all disciples to give away everything. He *does* call us to take radical action that breaks our bondage to money and possessions, freeing us to live under His lordship. He calls all of us to dethrone all secondary treasures in order to elevate Him as our primary treasure. If we value anything or anyone more than we value Jesus, we are not His disciples.

What we do with our money doesn’t simply indicate where our heart *is*. According to Jesus, it determines where our heart *goes*. If our heart is where our treasure is ([Matthew 6:19-21](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%206.19-21)), then when we move our treasure somewhere else, our heart follows. This is a remarkable truth. If I want my heart somewhere I need to put my money there.

When people asked John the Baptist what they should do to bear the fruit of repentance, he told them to share their clothes and food with the poor. Then he instructed tax collectors not to collect and pocket extra money. Finally, he told soldiers not to extort money and accuse falsely, and to be content with their wages ([Luke 3:7-14](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%203.7-14)).

No one had asked John about money and possessions. Yet his answers showed that John couldn’t talk about spiritual change without addressing how people handle material things.

If John the Baptist were to visit us today, what conclusions would he draw about our attitudes and actions toward money and possessions? Would the evidence convince him we are true followers of Jesus? Or would he see us as baptized versions of the world’s self-preoccupied materialists?

## Microsoft executive Tricia Mayer wrote me, “Stewardship is the Christian life. It is about what we do with every resource given to us, every day we walk the earth, and every relationship we have. The difficult task of stewardship is mustering the discipline and will to manage the problem child called money.”

A steward is entrusted with wealth or property that does not belong to him. It’s his responsibility to manage that wealth in the best interests of, and according to the stated wishes of, the owner. God has given us life, time, talents, money, possessions, family, and His grace. In each case He evaluates what we do with what He’s entrusted to us.

The steward is granted by the owner sufficient resources and the authority to carry out his designated responsibilities. When it comes to financial stewardship, God hasn’t handed us a standardized checklist to mark off. Rather, He has provided us His Word with principles for effective financial stewardship—principles we have to wrestle with. A responsible steward consults the Owner, seeking His direction. This requires insight and wisdom far beyond our own. Scripture says, *“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault”* ([James 1:5](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/James%201.5)).

Do you truly desire God’s wisdom and empowerment in making difficult stewardship decisions (and evaluating your own heart)? *Then ask.* He won’t leave you in the dark. He has given you His Word and His Spirit to guide you.

- And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth ([Deut. 8:18](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Deut.%208.18)).
- The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up ([1 Sam. 2:7](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Sam.%202.7)).
- Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all ([I Chron. 29:12](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Chron.%2029.12)).

Stewardship is living in the light of these truths. It’s living with the awareness that we are managers, not owners, of what God has entrusted to us for this brief season. How we handle money and possessions demonstrates who we *really* believe is their true owner—God or us.

John Wesley offered four questions to help decide how to spend money. Notice how the last three flow directly out of the first one:

- In spending this money, am I acting as if I owned it, or am I acting as the Lord’s trustee?
- What Scripture requires me to spend this money in this way?
- Can I offer up this purchase as a sacrifice to the Lord?
- Will God reward me for this expenditure at the resurrection of the just?

## If we really believe God is the owner of everything, shouldn’t we regularly be asking Him, “What do you want me to do with your money and your possessions?” And shouldn’t we be open to the possibility that He may want us to share large portions of His assets with those whose needs are greater than ours?

I spoke with a man who’d read *The Treasure Principle*, my book on giving. He owns a profitable business and believes for the first time that he knows why God has blessed him financially. It’s not so he can drive nicer cars and live in a nicer house. It’s to give it to build God’s kingdom. I told him about several different missions groups and prolife projects, and ways to help persecuted Christians. I wish you could have heard the excitement in his voice as he walked away determined to liquidate more earthly assets and dramatically expand his eternal investment portfolio!

This man followed through, and has given more and more over the years. He isn’t reluctant and guilt-ridden. He’s been liberated from material bondage, and is thrilled to have gotten onboard with what matters! He’s like the man who finds priceless treasure hidden in the field, *“Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field”* ([Matt. 13:44](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt.%2013.44)). Do we pity the man for his sacrifices? No!We envy him both for his treasure and his *joy*.

If God is speaking to you, listen. *Nothing’s more fleeting than the moment of conviction. Never procrastinate obedience.* Once we stand before His throne, it will be too late to go back and reclaim a lifetime of squandered opportunities. Gazing into the eyes of the Christ we treasure, we’ll know exactly how we should have lived. God has given us His Word so we don’t have to wait to die to find out. And He’s given us His Spirit to empower us to live that way *now*.

*This article originally appeared in the Fall/Winter issue of* Eternal Perspectives, *EPM's quarterly magazine.*

*[Image](https://www.epm.org/static/uploads/newsletter_images/jar_of_coins.jpg) used with permission.*

Eternal Perspective Ministries, founded and directed by author Randy Alcorn, is focused on investing in what lasts for eternity, and helping others to do the same.

Eternal Perspective Ministries

Articles

Concerning money and possessions, the Bible is sometimes extreme, sometimes shocking.

Eternity Minded Stewardship and Giving

# [Donate Now](https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0U6S00000c3ogMUAQ) to Disaster Relief and Crisis Fund
## 
## This week, Hurricane Ian swept through South and Central Florida, leaving a staggering amount of damage in its wake. At the time of this story’s publishing, the death toll has reached 42, more than 2 million people are without power, and thousands are facing at least temporary homelessness and a lengthy period of rebuilding.

We know givers at NCF want to find the best ways to use their [Giving Funds](https://www.ncfgiving.com/givingfund) to mobilize resources for victims of this unexpected crisis. Here are five ways you can help:

1. __Give now__ – Our offices in Orlando, Tampa, and South Florida are working together to find the best charities and churches on the ground supporting hurricane victims. They have established a special fund and will be making grants to nonprofits in their areas. You can make a fund-to-fund transfer by logging into your Giving Fund and going to the [transfer page](https://mygiving.secure.force.com/transfer) from the top  navigation. Be sure to include the fund name and number: __Hurricane Ian Disaster Relief and Crisis Fund, #294210__. [If you don’t have have a Giving Fund](https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0U6S00000c3ogMUAQ), you can [open one](https://www.ncfgiving.com/open) in minutes or [make a one-time donation here](https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0U6S00000c3ogMUAQ).
2. __Give later__ – It’s important to remember that the need for support doesn’t end when media coverage dies down. Insurance experts are predicting the [rebuilding costs for Florida will be in the 10s of billions](https://www.politico.com/news/2022/09/30/hurricane-ian-florida-insurance-00059598). If you want to help Florida long-term, you can set up a [recurring grant schedule](https://mygiving.secure.force.com/grant) to a charity focused on rebuilding over the coming months and years. As we learn more information, we will share which charities have long-term plans to restore homes and livelihoods in the wake of Hurricane Ian.
3. __Give non-cash assets__ – If you really want to step up your support, consider giving [non-cash assets](https://www.ncfgiving.com/solutions/non-cash/) such as appreciated securities, business interests, and real estate. These types of assets often provide tax-efficient benefits and may help you multiply your impact for the churches, Christian nonprofits, and other charities you feel called to support.
4. __Grant with confidence__ – When disasters strike, NCF can help you avoid the scams and fraud that are rampant. When you request a grant from your fund, we review the charity to ensure it’s IRS-approved and ready to receive support, so you can be confident you’re funding a legitimate organization.
5. __Pray__ – In the wake of a disaster, trauma often follows the crisis. As victims of Hurricane Ian face great losses, pray that they get the help they need. Pray that their hearts will be encouraged and that God, who works all things for the good of those who love him, will use this time to bring people to faith and draw his people nearer to himself.

## __If you don’t have a Giving Fund at NCF yet, [learn more](https://www.ncfgiving.com/solutions/giving-fund/) or [open one](https://www.ncfgiving.com/open/) today.__

*[Image](https://www.ncfgiving.com/stories/5-ways-to-help-victims-of-hurricane-ian/) used with permission*

NCF helps people create a giving strategy based on biblical principles, so they can be wise stewards of all they have and experience the joy of greater generosity.

National Christian Foundation

Wealth and Resources

You can give now to help those in need, plus five additional ways you can help victims of Hurricane Ian.

5 ways to help victims of Hurricane Ian

## Everyone wastes a little money here and there. The trick is to not waste a *lot* of money.

Forget to cancel a subscription or fail to get gas where it’s cheaper, and you’re out a few bucks, but ignore some *big* money wasters and your finances can really take a hit.

The *[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-biggest-ways-people-waste-money-11560523181) *surveyed several personal finance experts, authors, and even a Nobel Prize winning economist, to find out what they considered big money wasters.

__The first one they named is something they called “compensatory purchases.”__ That’s a fancy name for “keeping up with the Joneses.” It’s anything you spend money on to make other people think you’re successful. In reality, you’re doing it because you *don’t* feel successful.

Compensatory purchases would include luxury goods and high end clothing with visible logos to indicate you have money and status. The experts said these can include small-ticket items purchased over and over, such as designer coffee.

__Another big ticket money waster, perhaps the biggest, is buying too much house.__ One of the experts explained that peoples’ thinking about big houses hasn’t caught up with technology that enables us to live comfortably with less space.

Take large, elaborate kitchens, for example. Readily available prepared foods have made them obsolete. But what the experts didn’t say is that pre-packaged food items can also be a *money waster*.

__Another example of buying too much house is having a rarely used room, an extra bedroom__ that sits empty most of the time, or the workshop in the basement gathering dust, or space for bookshelves when we have e-books that take up no space at all, although maybe it’s not as much fun to curl up with a Kindle.

__For one expert, a big money waster for many people was buying a new car,__ especially if you’re just trying to impress someone. You’ll have to work 2 to 3 months out of the year just to make the payments and insurance. A better option for many people is a dependable late-model vehicle with low mileage.

If you simply *must* have that “new car smell,” you can buy it in a can and make any car smell brand new for around $10.

Keep in mind, however, that buying a *new car* is fine if you can afford it and plan to keep it for many years, especially if you can buy it with cash. If no one bought new cars, we soon wouldn’t have any cars at all.

Of course, with today’s high interest rates, and sky high car prices, it’s more important than ever to buy a car for practical reasons, such as affordable, dependable transportation.

__The next potential money waster is touchy for many parents.__ It’s spending money on adult children for things they should be paying for, such as keeping them on your car insurance or cell phone plan. If you no longer need a family plan and an individual one is cheaper, you’re just wasting money.

__The experts also mentioned overscheduling younger children with too many expensive activities.__ It’s better to have the kids focus on one or maybe two things they really enjoy because the cost of extracurricular activities, and transportation to *them*, continues to rise.

__You also should avoid getting a gym membership unless you’re absolutely sure you’ll use it.__ Otherwise it’s just another money waster.  Having an unused gym membership has been described as “the failure to recognize future laziness.”

__Another money waster is unplanned trips to the grocery store.__ That’s when you go in thinking you just need to grab one item, and you end up spending $100, which these days fits in two or three bags.

Also mentioned were pre-packaged sugary snacks that could easily be replaced with something less expensive like an apple— better for your wallet and your waistline.

## We all have to watch our spending to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us. Proverbs 21:10 reminds us, *“Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.”*

You can also __[listen](https://www.moneywise.org/search?q=Big%20Money%20Wasters&videos=true&articles=true&podcasts=true&posts=true&groups=true&events=true&support=true)__ to the related podcast on this topic.

Biblical Wisdom For Your Financial Journey

MoneyWise

Everyone wastes a little money here and there. The trick is to not waste a lot of money.

Big Money Wasters

Mark Biller

For many people, the biggest obstacle to becoming a successful investor is the belief that investing is too difficult for them to handle. Because that misconception is so prevalent, SMI stresses the complexity-busting power of establishing a personal investing plan and sticking with it regardless of what’s happening in the markets.

However, with all that emphasis on planning, it’s easy to start thinking your success or failure depends solely on *you*. What a relief that isn’t the case! Yes, God expects each of us to faithfully do the best we can, but ultimately He has promised to provide for every need ([Matthew 6:25-33](https://biblia.com/bible/niv/Matt%206.25-33)), whether or not we pick all the right mutual funds along the way.

Even if we recognize God as our ultimate provider, the pitfall of applying our investing plans too rigidly is never far away. An overly rigid approach can manifest itself in at least two detrimental ways.

- __Not growing in generosity.__
> Despite the many reassurances given to us in Scripture that we come out ahead by being generous ([Proverbs 11:24-25](https://biblia.com/bible/niv/Prov%2011.24-25), [Luke 6:38](https://biblia.com/bible/niv/Luke%206.38), [2 Corinthians 9:6](https://biblia.com/bible/niv/2%20Cor%209.6)), the idea is so counter-intuitive that it remains a battle for many of us. If reaching our saving and investing goals is a struggle to begin with, it sure seems strange to give more money away! And yet the Lord invites us into the great adventure of generous giving, perhaps as a gentle reminder that “my ways are higher than your ways” ([Isaiah 55:9](https://biblia.com/bible/niv/Isa%2055.9)) and that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight” ([1 Corinthians 3:19](https://biblia.com/bible/niv/1%20Cor%203.19)).
- __Losing sight of what really matters.__
> Money is a tool, not an end. As such, sometimes it does make sense to bust the budget temporarily or borrow from the emergency fund for things that strengthen family ties and build lasting memories. Naturally, it would be even better to incorporate these family and relationship-building activities *into* the budget. Still, the point remains valid: accomplishing financial goals will ring hollow if you look back after their completion and have deep regrets about missed opportunities.

When my daughter was young, a blatantly manipulative radio ad featured a little girl’s voice imploring, “Take me fishing, because my wedding day will be sooner than you think.” Ouch! I don’t fish, but I got the point. My retirement will probably be okay even if our family spent some money building loving memories along the way.

Like most things in life, your investing plan requires *balance* to be effective. If it’s too lax, you’ll never hit your goals. But if it’s too tight, you might miss the prompting of the Holy Spirit, or sacrifice the things in life that ultimately prove most important.

### A true story

If you’re like me and lean toward the “too tight” side with your plan, consider this story. Many years ago, my parents felt led by God to give away the small sum they were planning to use as investment capital to start college funds for their three young children. They didn’t know where the resources for college would come from if they gave that money away, but they were obedient and gave it cheerfully. The years went by, and right up until the youngest went away to school, it remained unclear where all the college money would come from. Now and then, events would allow them to save a little, and like many families, they took out a few small loans to make it work.

One day, as the youngest child prepared to graduate from college, Dad totaled up all the items that had occurred to help cover those college costs: taking a voluntary layoff and finding another good job quickly, scholarships, and so on. The tally confirmed God’s faithfulness. The total amount of unexpected college help was almost exactly 100 times the original sum given away in faith more than 20 years earlier. Despite the change in plans the Lord had orchestrated, everything worked out. God was — and is — faithful. (If you have a story of God’s faithfulness similar to the one I’ve described, tell us about it in the comments section below.)

Having an investment plan is essential to meeting long-term financial goals, and SMI will continue to stress that. But we need to allow some flexibility within that plan. Sometimes the Lord helps us reach our destination via a different path than we’d naturally choose. Perhaps that’s because He’s not as interested in the destinations themselves as the journeys we take to get there. If you trust God and follow His lead, there’s no need to worry — He *will* provide.

*[Image](https://dcktxkaneetr8.cloudfront.net/2021/11/editorial-god-provides-HD.jpg) used with permission.*

Since 1990, do-it-yourself Christian investors have relied on SMI for proven strategies and trustworthy guidance.

Sound Mind Investing

Faith and Finance

For many people, the biggest obstacle to becoming a successful investor is the belief that investing is too difficult.

God Will Provide

## “My church’s giving is declining while everyone’s cost of living is increasing. How can I still show our church staff that we care about them during these financially challenging times? What can I do?”

If you are a church leader, you might be experiencing something similar. Inflation has caused many church staff members to feel financially stressed. The church’s compensation package seems to cover less with each passing month. 

And it is not as simple as increasing salaries. Many churches are financially providing for their staff as much as they can. But even if giving remains steady, they can’t keep up with rising living expenses. 

Across the nation, church leaders are looking for low-cost or no-cost ways to care for their staff. If you are in the same situation, consider these nine ways to care for church staff during lean financial times:

## 1. Talk openly about the church’s financial challenges.

Do not leave room for speculation or allow staff to fill an information void with bad information. Talk to the church staff about the financial challenges the church is facing and recognize the pressures staff members are facing. Let them know you desire to do more financially but are not able to at this moment. Even though open communication will not solve anyone’s financial difficulties, it can help the staff know you understand and care about their situation.

## 2. Increase the number of vacation days.

One of the ways to make financial packages more valuable without increasing salaries is to require less work for the same pay. Granted, church staff members must still pay their bills. However, many will welcome the additional days off and see it as part of an effort to care for them and their families. Additional vacation days may also provide staff members time to make side income. 

## 3. Allow flex schedules.

Flex schedules allow staff members to work during times that are most convenient and productive for them. Allowing flex schedules can help staff members better manage family and work life. There will likely need to be some set days and times when staff members are required to be in the office. This is normal. But church staff members may appreciate the flexibility outside of those times. 

## 4. Offer work from home when possible.

Some job responsibilities lend themselves better for at-home work than others. When possible, consider offering the option for at-home work. Many employees have shown appreciation for such a work setup. Your staff members may also feel appreciated when the work-from-home option is available. 

## 5. Encourage side gigs.

A side gig is an income earning opportunity outside of an employee’s primary job. Flex schedules and increased vacation days allow more opportunities for side gigs. Side gigs not only provide an additional source of income, but they also allow employees to work in an area of passion they are unable to do full-time. There are many side gig opportunities out there, some that further ministry experience and are beneficial to the church. Let your staff know side gigs are accepted and even encouraged. 


![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_797ffc41d45f4e9cbc2bfe41212ef760~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_925,h_616,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/11062b_797ffc41d45f4e9cbc2bfe41212ef760~mv2.jpeg)


## 6. Publicly and privately celebrate staff members. 

Regular words of affirmation are powerful. They create an environment where staff members feel appreciated. Such environments have shown to increase employee retention, even when employees are presented with higher paying job offers. Public recognition of a staff member’s work can occur in a staff meeting, a church business meeting, or, when appropriate, during the church service. Private recognition can occur through one-on-one conversations or through handwritten notes. Never underestimate the power of a few encouraging words. 

## 7. Invite staff members over to the house with no agenda.

Sometimes, staff members can feel disconnected from other church leaders. This perceived separation can create a sense of frustration, alienation, and lack of care. Those who feel least connected will likely look for work elsewhere. To genuinely connect with staff members, invite them over to your house with no agenda. Share a casual meal and talk about life outside of work. Get to know them, and let them get to know you. Deeper connections can make staff members feel more appreciated and more cared for.

## 8. Provide one-time bonuses when possible.

Granted, we are talking about times when church finances are tight. So, this suggestion may not be feasible for all churches. However, one-time bonuses do not commit the church to a long-term financial expense. When giving is higher than expected for a particular week or month, consider setting aside those additional funds for one-time bonuses. Single bonuses can demonstrate care for staff’s financial difficulties without straining the church budget even further.

## 9. Offer sessions with a financial coach.

Financial coaches help individuals and couples make wise budget-related and debt-related decisions. They guide and encourage clients to manage the resources with which God has entrusted the client in a wise manner. Financial coaches can also help individuals and couples make the most out of limited resources. Sessions are not overly expensive, often ranging from $125 to $175 for one hour. Offering to cover a few financial coaching sessions could prove to be beneficial both for staff members’ present situation and future financial health. 

## Without question, you appreciate and care for your staff members. You want to see them thrive in all areas of life, including their financial health. But recent challenges have strained both church and personal finances. 

Don’t assume there is nothing you can do about the situation. While the church may not be able to increase salaries, there are some low-cost or no-cost ways to demonstrate care and understanding. From providing additional vacation days to giving one-time bonuses, consider how your church can care for its staff members. While you may not be able to solve all the problems staff members currently face, you can demonstrate your love and concern for them. 

Note: This article was originally posted at SecureGive.com. 

*[Image](https://www.artrainer.com/post/9-ways-to-care-for-your-church-staff-during-lean-financial-times) used with permission*

Generosity

Church leaders are looking for low-cost or no-cost ways to care for their staff.  Consider these nine ways...

9 Ways to Care for Your Church Staff During Lean Financial Times

## *“Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.”*  Acts 4:32

That passage clearly shows the radical generosity of the 1st century church. How does it compare with our church giving? Generis and the Barna Group did a [survey](https://moneywisemedia.slack.com/files/U9S5Y9Z28/F0424MS8SUQ/revisiting_the_tithe___offering_single_pages.pdf) that revealed a lot about how Christans are supporting the local church today.

Giving, of course, doesn’t involve just money. As the saying goes, Christians should be generous with their “time, talent *and* treasure.”

But not surprisingly, the vast majority of pastors, 94%, reported that they view member giving primarily through the lens of tithes and offerings, far exceeding other forms of generosity.

That’s unfortunate and a sign that tithes and offerings weigh too heavily on the minds of pastors. They have enough on their plate with feeding the flock and shouldn’t have to worry about money.

Ninety-eight percent of pastors also said their church is primarily funded through individual donations. That much is good. The local church should be funded through member giving, rather than investment earnings or endowments. A church should have an emergency fund, perhaps a year’s worth of operating expenses, but assets beyond that should be used for ministry or missions.

The survey revealed some good news about Christian generosity, as compared to Americans as a whole. Studies show that 60% of U.S. adults give to a charitable organization during the course of a year.

Nominal Christians, those who don’t attend church at least monthly or say their faith is important to them, give at about the same rate as the general population. That’s compared to a full 90% of practicing Christians who do attend church at least monthly and say their faith is important to them. Their charitable giving, of course, includes giving to their local church.

## This would seem to make sense. In general, Christians are more generous than the population as a whole, as they *should* be, and believers who feel strongly about their faith and attend church regularly are more generous than those who do not.

The proof is in the pudding— the average amount of annual giving among those three groups:

- U.S. adults give an average of $916 a year to charities
- Nominal Christians give slightly more, $1,165 a year
- And practicing Christians give 3,000 a year, more than triple that of the average American adult, two thirds of which goes to their local church.

We occasionally get calls from listeners who want to know if it’s okay to give their tithes and offerings to something other than their local church. We believe your tithe should go to your church. It’s wonderful to give sacrificially to other ministries, but your first fruits should go where you’re fed.

The survey revealed most Christians agree. A full 75% think it’s more generous to give to their local congregation. That clearly shows a commitment to the local church with regard to giving.

## Another finding wasn’t so encouraging. While 55% of believers agree that all church members should financially support their local church, 51% also said there may be circumstances when it’s okay *not to*.

An example of that would be volunteering at the local church. Surprisingly, about 60% of Christians in general, meaning nominal and practicing combined, said that members who are committed to volunteering have a smaller financial obligation to support their churches.

Even more surprising, that percentage held true for *practicing* Christians. Sixty percent of those who attend regularly and hold strongly to their faith also believe that volunteering can be a substitute for financial giving.

Volunteering is certainly important to the church and every member should look for ways to be of service, but if every member gave time in lieu of tithes, you soon wouldn’t have a church.

Volunteering should only be viewed as a substitute for financial giving if you’re *unable* to be a percentage giver to your church. And even then, you should always try to give *something*, as a form of worship. Remember what Jesus said in Mark 12:43 about the widow who gave two small copper coins: *“Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.”*

In general, the survey revealed some good news about church giving today and some not so good. It’s something we can all pray about as the collection plate comes around this Sunday.

You can also __[listen](https://www.moneywise.org/search?q=Revisiting%20the%20Tithe%20&%20Offering&videos=true&articles=true&podcasts=true&posts=true&groups=true&events=true&support=true)__ to the related podcast on this topic.

Giving, of course, doesn’t involve just money, and a recent survey revealed some good news and bad news.

Revisiting the Tithe & Offering

## I believe the only way to break the power of materialism is first, to see ourselves as stewards that God has entrusted these money and possessions to, and second, to give. Jesus says, *“It is more blessed to give than to receive”* ([Acts 20:35](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Acts%2020.35)).

As long as I still have something, I believe I own it. But when I give it away, I relinquish the control, power, and prestige that come with wealth. At the moment of release, the light turns on. The magic spell is broken. My mind clears, and I recognize God as owner, myself as servant, and other people as intended beneficiaries of what God has entrusted to me.

The New Testament offers guidelines for giving that can help us fight the pull of materialism:

1. __Give.__ Giving affirms Christ’s lordship. It dethrones me and exalts Him. It breaks the chains of mammon that would enslave me and transfers my center of gravity to Heaven.
2. __Give generously.__ How much is generous? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If you’ve never tithed, start there—then begin to stretch your generosity.
3. __Give regularly.__ Stewardship is not a once-a-year consideration, but a week-to-week, month-to-month commitment requiring discipline and consistency.
4. __Give deliberately.__ Giving is at its best when it’s a conscious effort that’s repeatedly made.
5. __Give voluntarily.__ When we catch a vision of God’s grace, we will give *beyond* our duty.
6. __Give sacrificially.__ We don’t like risky faith. We like to have our safety net below us. But we miss the adventure of seeing God provide when we’ve really stretched ourselves in giving.
7. __Give excellently.__ Paul says, *“See that you also excel in this grace of giving”* ([2 Corinthians 8:7](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Cor%208.7)).
8. __Give cheerfully__. If we’re not cheerful, the problem is our heart, and the solution is redirecting our heart, not withholding our giving.
9. __Give worshipfully.__ Our giving is a reflexive response to God’s grace. It doesn’t come out of our altruism—it comes out of the transforming work of Christ in us.
10. __Give more as you make more.__ Remember: God prospers us not to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving.
11. __Give quietly.__ Showiness in giving is always inappropriate. (But sometimes our acts of righteousness *will* be seen by men and even *should* be.)

*[Image](https://www.epm.org/static/cache/6d/d4/6dd4f2b4249c2c09db083d5ed22590c1.jpg) used with permission.*

The only way to break the power of materialism is to do these two things...

Eleven Giving Guidelines to Fight the Pull of Materialism

## Casey Crawford, founder of Movement Mortgage, is a man with a powerful corporate mission – to love and value people. This former NFL tight end has inspired a culture of generosity to transform his company, his community, and possibly the entire future of education for America’s underserved children.

![](https://www.ncfgiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/A56I0112-scaled.jpg)

*Casey Crawford with students from a Movement School*

When Casey was growing up in Washington, DC, in the 80s, the city was considered to be the murder capital of the country, with many of its urban communities gripped in the throes of the crack epidemic. It was here in the city’s toughest neighborhood that Casey first witnessed the realities of poverty that would leave an indelible impression on his life.

“While I grew up in a pretty stable blue-collar neighborhood,” Casey says. “My dad ran a hardware store in the worst part of the city. So, I got a really close, firsthand look at the struggles that the urban poor face each and every day.”

Over the next 20 years, Casey’s journey would take him from these humble roots to a Super Bowl Championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and eventually to the world of finance as founder and CEO of Movement Mortgage. As one of the fastest growing mortgage lenders in the country, Movement has $33 billion in total loan volume and 5,320 staff members, all guided by a simple mission – to love and value people.

“When I started this business, I had this deep sense of responsibility to create a company that really honored God and his calling to love him and love our neighbors as ourselves,” Casey says. “But I had no idea practically how to do that.” But when Casey called the National Christian Foundation (NCF), he connected with team member Dan Glaze, and the pieces began to fall into place.

> *“I had this deep sense of responsibility to create a company that really honored God and his calling to love him and love our neighbors as ourselves.”*

### *Movement has $33 billion in total loan volume and 5,320 staff members, all guided by a simple mission – to love and value people.*

As Casey developed ways to build a generous culture with his own team members, NCF helped provide creative giving solutions to maximize the charitable impact Casey could have with his business profits. This eventually led to establishing the Movement Foundation, which is a [Supporting Organization](https://www.ncfgiving.com/so) (SO) at NCF.

“We’ve been on this journey together for almost 12 years,” Casey says. “We think about how we can honor God and see his kingdom extended even with our company profits. Very early on, I set income limits on myself, and we then went on to maximize our giving.”

“What our relationship with NCF has helped us do in incredible ways is to take advantage of available tax deductions so we can increase the giving. Our goal is to maximize charitable dollars distributed out and through the Movement Foundation. And the more tax-efficient options we are able to use, the more we get out to love the marginalized, both in the U.S. and around the world.”

> *“The more tax-efficient options we are able to use, the more we get out to love the marginalized, both in the U.S. and around the world.”*

To date, the Movement Foundation has mobilized more than $360 million to fund countless global and local causes, including Casey’s most recent passion. “When I looked back over the impact that I wanted to make in life, my heart was immediately drawn to those same kids that I’d grown up with in the tough areas of D.C.,” Casey says.

“When we started looking at ways to provide more opportunities, the institution of education just rose to the top. We decided to offer educational opportunities through public charter schools that can change the trajectory of these young kids’ lives.”

### *To date, Movement Foundation has mobilized more than $360 million to fund countless global and local causes.*

This initiative has led to the current establishment of three Movement Schools – state-of-the-art, tuition-free, charter schools in under-resourced communities­, with two more on the drawing board. The ultimate goal is to build 100 more schools in 10 years to help create a new vision for education across the U.S.

The corporate focus on generosity has had a profound effect inside Movement through the team’s shared purpose and the atmosphere of abundance. “I use the word *community* a lot when I talk about our company, and here’s why,” Casey says. “We have over 5,000 people with a common unity, which is that we exist to love and value people. We’re not a company that is simply organized around a product. We’re actually a community of people who are organized around a purpose.”

> *“We’re not a company that is simply organized around a product. We’re actually a community of people who are organized around a purpose.”*

“I think it infuses a life and energy into our corporate community to eagerly expect what God’s going to do next as we let what he’s just given us flow back out to the people he’s called us to care for.”

If Movement’s culture of generosity sounds encouraging, Casey says every Christ-centered business leader has the same opportunity to step into his or her calling. And he hopes more will find ways to express to the current culture what Jesus meant when he commanded us to love our Father and love our neighbors.

“There is an incredible opportunity in America today for Christian business owners to step back into this important work that God’s called us to,” Casey says.

“Let’s take all that he’s entrusted to us and use it to love the marginalized for our heavenly Father’s glory. Let’s let our light so shine before men that they might see our good works, not to give glory to us but to give glory to our heavenly Father as we do exactly what he’s called us to do.”

### Watch [Casey’s inspiring story](https://vimeo.com/719936003?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=9039166), or fill out the form below to connect with your local NCF team.

*[Image](https://www.ncfgiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/A56I0112-scaled.jpg) used with permission.*

Casey Crawford, founder of Movement Mortgage, is a man with a powerful corporate mission – to love and value people.

The Impact of a Generous Business: Casey Crawford’s Story

> *“We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us”* (2 Corinthians 5:20a).

In the same way that the political ambassadors of our day serve as representatives of their home countries while living abroad, we, as followers of Christ, live on the earth as representatives of heaven.

Philippians 3:20 reminds us that our true citizenship is already established in heaven, even while we live out our days on earth. We are here to represent the culture and the values of the kingdom of heaven, and to be a conduit through which God makes His appeal. The appeal He desires to make through us is essentially the Great Commission—He wants to invite absolutely everyone to be adopted into His family through Christ Jesus.

When our lives are surrendered to King Jesus, we represent the culture of heaven with increasing accuracy. As we mature in the Lord, our lives consistently reflect a culture that contrasts sharply with the world around us. Our resource management choices are a direct reflection of our level of understanding of His ways and His nature.

Radical generosity overcomes old fear- and greed-driven behaviors. Partnership with God grows in our lives where there once was rebellion. Extravagant love for people supplants selfish ambition. A desire for unity disrupts the desire to compete.

As our internal world becomes increasingly heaven-like, our external behaviors also change and stand in contrast to our old ways of navigating life. The impact of this transformation on our stewardship decisions is far-reaching, but I’d like to zero in on how it transforms the investment process.

I realize that most people may be investing in diversified funds, managed portfolios, or other baskets of securities, but to preserve the connection between investor and business as we explore this philosophy of investing, let’s think in terms of specific businesses. As an investor of God’s money, we can apply an “Ambassador Filter” over every investment opportunity by asking ourselves these questions:

- Am I representing Jesus well as His ambassador if I invest His money in this business, given the products or services it provides?
- Does this business somehow reflect the culture and values of heaven (for example, seeking justice by carefully examining their supply chain for issues such as slave labor)?
- Dose this business honor, serve, and bless people (such as their customers or employees) as members, or potential members, of God’s expansive family?
- Is this business stewarding God’s money in a way that would please Him?

I believe heaven’s storehouses are full of creative solutions for the problems that plague humanity, and that business can be a blessing. As an ambassador, it’s my job to exhibit the nature of God and the culture of heaven by tapping into God’s wisdom and using His resources for the benefit of those around me. If that sounds like an impossible job, that’s because it is…if we try to do it alone.

First of all, pray and ask God for wisdom and guidance as you seek to align your investing with your role as his ambassador. Secondly, seek out a qualified wealth advisor as more and more Certified Kingdom Advisors are taking an interest in this type of investing (which they may refer to as Values-Based Investing, Biblically Responsible Investing, Faith-Based Investing, or Faith Driven Investing). Or, for those who prefer a DIY approach, there are now over one hundred faith-based mutual funds and ETFs that use various approaches to invest capital with the heart of an ambassador.

Learn more about Rachel at [Wealth Squared](https://www.wealthsq.com/).

*[Image](https://d3tx9c47jiilf8.cloudfront.net/public/content/moneywise/nejc-soklic-yZ6MnFo5hX0-unsplashB.jpg) used with permission.*

As an investor of God’s money, we can apply an “Ambassador Filter” over every opportunity by asking  these questions.

Investing as Ambassadors

Countless headlines warn that people are not saving enough for retirement. If you’re a parent, one factor that might be holding you back on the savings front is providing too much financial support for your adult children. As ironic as it might seem, that could hurt more than *your own* financial security; it could hurt *theirs*.

### A slow path toward independence

According to a 2018 study by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave, 79% of parents of “early adults” (ages 18-34) provide them with some type of financial support. And not just during their children’s earliest adult years, when they might be helping cover the cost of college. The study noted that “these contributions can continue long after college graduation.” Common ongoing financial support categories include groceries (37% of parents with adult children provide *some* help with their food expenses, 23% pay *all* of the cost); cell phone bills (22% some, 32% all); car expenses (30% some, 17% all); and vacations (23% some, 21% all).

Many parents also help pay for large one-time expenses, such as a wedding or the down payment for a home.

One increasingly common scenario is adult children moving back home after college, potentially driving up how much their parents pay for food, utilities, and more. Toward the end of 2021, 46% of 18-to-34-year-olds were living in their parents’ home. While this number spiked to 52% in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the current level is the same as before the pandemic and sits just below the previous all-time high of 48% seen during the Great Depression.

A [separate study](https://www.savings.com/insights/financial-support-for-adult-children-study) by savings.com found that 62% of adult children who live with their parents contribute nothing toward helping with household expenses.

### Willing to sacrifice

While many parents are already providing financial assistance to their adult children, many others stand ready to do so. According to the Merrill Lynch/Age Wave study, 82% of parents said they are willing to make “a major financial sacrifice” for their adult child. More specifically:

- 50% are willing to draw down their savings;
- 43% are willing to live a less comfortable life;
- 26% are willing to take on debt;
- 25% are willing to pull money from a retirement account (a [Bankrate survey](https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/financial-independence-survey-april-2019/) found that 50% of respondents had sacrificed or are sacrificing retirement savings to help adult children financially);
- 19% are willing to retire later/work longer;
- 14% are willing to refinance a house;
- 8% are willing to come out of retirement.

### An emotional and financial disconnect

Many of those providing assistance don’t seem concerned about the impact on their own finances. In fact, according to a [UBS study](https://www.ubs.com/us/en/investor-watch/2018/generational-ties.html), 80% of Baby Boomers who are providing financial help to their adult children said theyfeel goodabout being able to help. However, it’s noteworthy that many *recipients* feel otherwise. Half of millennials (ages 25-40) who are on the receiving end of parental financial support said they feel some shame, frustration, or guilt over it.

And in some cases, that financial “help” may be *hurting*. In the classic book, *The Millionaire Next Door*, authors Thomas Stanley and William Danko said their research found a direct negative correlation between “economic outpatient care” (parents providing money to their adult children) and the recipients’ ability to build wealth.

“In general,” they wrote, “the more dollars adult children receive, the fewer they accumulate, while those who are given fewer dollars accumulate more.”

As Stanley and Danko looked more closely at the dynamic of parents giving their adult children money, they also found that:

- “Giving precipitates more consumption than saving and investing.”
- “Gift receivers in general never fully distinguish between their wealth and the wealth of their gift-giving parents.”
- “Gift receivers are significantly more dependent on credit than are non-receivers.”
- “Receivers of gifts invest much less money than do non-receivers.”

The authors say many givers assume economic outpatient care will “get the youngsters going” and then won’t be needed anymore. That’s often the motivation, for example, behind helping with the down payment on a house. However, Stanley and Danko said recipients of such gifts often end up financially dependent for the cost of other home-related items, such as furniture and landscaping.
### 
### What are parents to do?

Ideas for parents to consider include:

- While it can be difficult to do this, especially if your adult children truly are in need, try to prioritize your retirement-related financial needs over the financial needs of your adult children.
- Clearly communicate what expenses you plan to stop covering for your adult children and by what age. When will they be on their own for health insurance, car insurance, cell phone service, and other bills?
- If your adult kids need or want to move back home for a time, will they be expected to help with some of the bills?
- Use the Envestnet MoneyGuide software to see specifically how various types of financial support for your adult children may impact your retirement plan. (MoneyGuide is [available to SMI Premium-level members](http://soundmindinvesting.com/moneyguidepro) for a $50 one-time fee.)

Here are other guidelines suggested by the affluent parents Stanley and Danko studied:

- Never tell children your family is wealthy.
- No matter how wealthy you are, teach your children discipline and frugality.
- Minimize discussions of the items that each child and grandchild will inherit or receive as gifts.
- Never give cash or other significant gifts to your adult children as part of a negotiation strategy.
- Teach through example that there are a lot of things more valuable than money.

### Selective support can help

Stanley and Danko said their research doesn’t close the door on *all* forms of financial assistance for adult children. Some, such as subsidizing a college education or helping to fund a business, can have “a strong positive influence on the productivity of the recipients.”

However, they strongly cautioned about cash gifts knowingly earmarked for consumption: “We find that the giving of such gifts is the single most significant factor that explains lack of productivity among the adult children of the affluent.”

Perhaps the authors summed it up best when they wrote, “Discipline and initiative can’t be purchased like automobiles or clothing off a rack…. Teach your children to live on their own. It’s much less costly financially, and, in the long run, it is in the best interests of both the children and their parents.”

*[Image](https://dcktxkaneetr8.cloudfront.net/2022/08/l4-helping-adult-children-financially-HD.jpg) used with permission.*

Personal Finance

Headlines warn that people are not saving enough for retirement. Here's one factor that might be holding you back.

When Helping (Adult Children Financially) Hurts

The stock market is rallying ... Unemployment is dangerously high ... The stock market is now crashing ... Consumer spending is rebounding sharply ... The economy is shrinking at an alarming rate.

Accompanying nearly every coronavirus update is a change in our financial world. It can be exhausting and stressful, but it is not unspiritual to think about money, to be concerned with the stock market, or to talk about your finances frequently.

Rather than avoiding money matters or addressing them with timidity, as many churches do, Jesus taught on the subject all the time. Did you know that Christ discussed money more than he did heaven or hell? Of the thirty-nine parables recorded in the Gospels, eleven are focused on money.

Your Lord addressed these issues so often because he knows we are easily seduced. He knows how quickly we can lose our way. He knows that we are susceptible to giving the love of our hearts to money.

This conversation about money is not just in the ministry of Jesus but also a recurring theme throughout all of Scripture. There are three significant elements that we need to be aware of if we want to have a heart that handles the temptations of money and a life that glorifies God with our finances.

## Gratitude

A grateful person is aware that they deserve nothing of all they possess and enjoy. If they remember this fundamental biblical theology, they will daily count their blessings and be thankful for the little things that would otherwise be taken for granted.

An attitude of ingratitude does just the opposite. If we tell ourselves that we deserve more than we have been given, we will live an entitled and demanding life. Never quite satisfied, we could easily justify a wasteful and selfish use of money.

*“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”* (Psalm 103:2, ESV)

## Need

Need is one of the most poorly and overused words in human culture. The majority of what we tell ourselves we need, we don’t actually need. We all are very skilled at loading our desires into our needs category.

This is a dangerous mistake. Once we have, we think it’s our right to demand these things, and therefore appropriate to do what is necessary to possess them. This leads to wasting all kinds of money satisfying “needs” that aren’t really needs, all the while feeling quite comfortable, because if it’s a need, it seems right to pursue it.

*“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”* (2 Peter 1:3, NIV)

## Envy

If you are unthankful and persuaded that you deserve more, and if you have been able to convince yourself that you need certain things that you do not have, you will invariably look over the fence and envy the person who appears to have what you have not yet been able to acquire.

Envious people are always taking account. Envious people are always comparing. Envious people are consistently placing things on their “they have, but I do not” list. Envious people regularly feel that they have been given a bad deal, so they justify spending what God has given them to steward to settle the score.

*“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”* (Proverbs 14:30, ESV)

As you handle your money, no matter how much you have, remember gratitude, need, and envy. Forgetting or neglecting these spiritual battles will cause you to be both self-oriented and foolish in your use of money.

To walk the pathway of spiritual maturity demands far more than financial education, mathematical skills, and budget discipline. In fact, it takes more than good theology and knowledge of biblical commands and principles!

Financial maturity requires powerful, rescuing grace. And when it comes to money, our hearts will rest contented only when they have been freed and protected by God’s amazing grace.

Grace is what we need, and by grace, grace is what has been supplied!

*“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”* (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

##### Find more from Paul Tripp at PaulTripp.com.

([image](https://www.artrainer.com/post/3-things-to-know-about-your-money) used with permission)

The More Than Money Podcast helps listeners get financially healthy for the sake of giving and living generously. In each episode, Art Rainer provides fun, practical, biblically-based financial advice through interviews and listener questions. Our goal with this podcast is for you to understand God's design for you and your money as you learn to give generously, save wisely, and live appropriately.

More than Money

There are three significant elements that we need to be aware of if we want a heart that handles money temptations.