Every true shepherd of God’s flock desires a church that reflects the heart of God—a generous and giving people. However, the sad truth is that many churches today are filled with believers who are tight-fisted, unfaithful, and immature when it comes to giving.
Research and observation show that 1 out of every 3 to 5 Christians does not pay their tithes, 1 out of every 5 Christians does not give at all, and 9 out of 10 do not support missions financially.
Even though large sums of money have flowed through the Church over the years, many believers still lag behind in the grace of giving. Raising a giving church is not a one-day event or a simple program—it requires intentional discipleship, pastoral leadership, and spiritual maturity. If we preach salvation, healing, and deliverance and expect those to manifest, then we must also teach on financial stewardship and giving for breakthroughs in this area to occur.
A. SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATION FOR A GIVING CHURCH – Proverbs 11:24-25
From the Old Testament Church in the wilderness to the New Testament Church in Acts 4:34–37, we see a divine pattern: God’s people are called to be generous. Giving should be as natural to a Christian as breathing—it’s part of our spiritual DNA.
The early Church was so generous that there was no lack among them. This is the kind of church God desires today. A giving church has an abundance mentality—seeing God as a limitless source. On the other hand, a poverty mindset leads to hoarding and fear.
God is a Giver, and we, His children, must reflect His nature. A stingy church will often be a struggling church. A church that gives will always be blessed and positioned to receive.
Biblical Principles of Giving:
- Give consistently – 1 Corinthians 16:2
- Give sacrificially – Luke 21:1-4
- Give as sowing into good ground – Expect a harvest!
- Give freely, as you have freely received – Romans 12:13
- Give as unto the Lord, not unto man – Let your motive be pure.
- Give as led by the Holy Spirit – Follow divine promptings.
- Give until the Lord stops giving to you – Acts 20:35
The purpose of God blessing you with resources is not self-exaltation, but so you can be a blessing to others. If God cannot draw from your hand, He will stop putting into it. Remember, your giving affects your eternal reward.
Your generosity will impact:
- Your heavenly treasure – Matthew 19:21; Luke 12:33
- Your eternal reward and position – 1 Timothy 6:17–19
B. 10 SECRETS OF A GIVING CHURCH
Exodus 36:5–7; Acts 4:34–37
You don’t just stumble into a giving church. It is built through wisdom, teaching, and spiritual leadership. If you always rely on guest ministers to raise offerings in your church, it might be a sign that you’ve not yet unlocked these principles.
1. Godly Leadership
People give to trusted, God-fearing leaders more than to structures or institutions. A pastor who wants to raise financial support must show:
- Clear vision from God
- Integrity in finances
- Competence in leadership
- Generosity in their own life
- Faith and boldness in declaring Kingdom truths
If your church is not giving, it could be a silent protest against your leadership. A leader must first be a giver.
2. Stewardship Teaching
Train members to manage their time, talents, and treasure faithfully. When people understand biblical stewardship, they don’t need to be manipulated into giving. If you must preach for 10 minutes before every offering, your members may need more teaching on stewardship.
3. Vision That Inspires
People give to what they see and believe in. If your church has no clear direction or goals, giving will be minimal. A clear, compelling, and regularly communicated vision draws financial support.
4. Integrity and Transparency
Where there is secrecy, mismanagement, or rumors of financial misconduct, people hold back their giving. Build trust through accountability, openness, and honesty in handling church funds.
5. Visible Impact
When people see that their giving is changing lives and expanding the Kingdom, they are encouraged to give more. They want to know their contribution makes a difference.
6. Fertile Ground
Your church must become a place where God’s blessings flow. When people sow and see no return, they grow discouraged. But when testimonies abound, giving increases.
7. Love and Care
People give where they are valued, loved, and cared for. If members are constantly asked to give but feel neglected, they will withdraw. Invest in the welfare and financial growth of your members.
8. Open Communication
Don’t be afraid to talk about money. Share the church’s needs, budgets, goals, and financial plans. Keeping the congregation informed builds confidence and willingness to partner.
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9. Multiple Giving Opportunities (“Modular Pockets”)
People connect with different areas of ministry. Create channels for giving to:
- Missions
- Children’s ministry
- Building projects
- Church welfare
- Evangelism and outreach
- Maintenance and operations
10. The Move of the Holy Spirit
A vibrant, Spirit-filled church is naturally a giving church. When revival is active and lives are being changed, people want to invest in what God is doing.
Testimonies of salvation, healing, breakthroughs, and answered prayers fuel generosity. People don’t give to a “sinking ship”—they give to a church that is moving forward by the power of God.
Ministers who understand and apply these principles will find that raising resources becomes easier and more effective.
C. KINGDOM PRINCIPLES FOR FINANCIAL GROWTH IN MINISTRY
Just like we seek growth in membership, spirituality, and influence, we must also grow financially. Financial stagnation is not God’s will for His house.
Biblical Principles for Financial Growth:
- Recognize God as Owner – Psalm 24:1 – We are stewards, not owners.
- Renounce negative beliefs about money – Money is not evil; the love of it is.
- Break satanic strongholds over your finances – 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
- Cast out the spirit of poverty – Pray and act against it.
- Tithe faithfully – personally and as a ministry.
- Handle money with integrity and contentment
- Develop an abundance mindset – Be a generous giver.
- Use money visibly and wisely – Let people see its impact.
- Invest in the work regularly – Don’t be afraid to spend on Kingdom matters.
- Avoid unnecessary debts – Pay your staff and ministers fairly.
Ensure your church is good soil for sowing. You do this by faithfully using church resources for Kingdom advancement, not for personal gain. If money is siphoned or mismanaged, God will withdraw His favor. And when members don’t see results from their giving, they will naturally start holding back.
CONCLUSION:
Raising a giving church is spiritual work. It involves teaching, modeling, vision casting, and spiritual warfare. But above all, it requires faithful leadership and divine wisdom. When your church begins to walk in the grace of giving, financial struggles will become a thing of the past, and your ministry will soar to new heights—both on earth and in heaven.