Encourage Healthy Giving Habits
By Johnny Johnson
The act of giving is not just about funding the work of the church but is also an act of worship, obedience, and generosity.
As a pastor or church leader, it is your responsibility to create a culture of healthy giving within your congregation. Here are some practical ways to encourage healthy giving habits.
1. Teach the biblical principles of giving.
Teaching on the biblical principles of giving is foundational in encouraging healthy giving habits in your congregation. Giving is an act of worship, obedience, and generosity. God loves a cheerful giver, and giving is a fundamental part of the Christian faith. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 states, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Encouraging your congregation to give as an act of worship and obedience can help create a culture of healthy giving.
2. Set an example through your own giving.
As a pastor or church leader, setting an example through your own giving is crucial. Your congregation looks to you as an example of what it means to give generously. This does not necessarily mean giving a large sum of money but giving consistently and sacrificially. Luke 21:1-4 tells the story of the widow's offering and how Jesus commended her for giving all she had, even though it was a small amount. By setting an example of consistent and sacrificial giving, you can encourage your congregation to do the same.
3. Provide opportunities for online giving.
In today's digital age, providing opportunities for online giving can be an effective way to encourage healthy giving habits. Many people prefer the convenience and security of online giving, and providing an online giving portal can make it easier for them to give regularly.
You must have a method that helps you create proper donation receipts for your donors and keep track of donations. If you still need a reliable and safe system, we can help you with StartCHURCH's Giving Halo. This product helps keep track of donations and other giving and includes the ability to create your online giving portal built right into the platform. This can make it easier for your congregation to give and can help increase giving overall.
4. Use giving statements to show the impact of giving.
Giving statements can be a powerful tool in encouraging healthy giving habits. By showing your congregation the impact of their giving, you can help them see the tangible results of their generosity. This can include updates on ministries funded through giving, testimonies of lives impacted, and other stories that show the impact of giving.
Providing regular giving statements can serve as an incentive for your congregation to continue their sacrificial giving. This gesture also expresses gratitude for their contributions while easing their burden of proof for tax deductions with the IRS.
5. Focus on stewardship and financial responsibility.
Encouraging healthy giving habits also means focusing on stewardship and financial responsibility. This includes teaching financial management, budgeting, and living within one's means. By teaching financial commitment, you can help your congregation see the importance of giving as a part of a larger picture of stewardship.
Also, understanding the rules of donation receipts, an appropriate tithe, and offering counting policy, amongst others, are key for accountability and accuracy in managing church funds.
6. Host giving events.
Hosting giving events can be an effective way to encourage healthy giving habits. These events can include special offerings or fundraising events that allow your congregation to give toward a specific project or ministry. These events can create excitement around giving and encourage your congregation to give sacrificially.
7. Pray for your congregation's giving.
Prayer is a powerful tool in encouraging healthy giving habits. Pray for your congregation's giving, that they would give sacrificially and with a cheerful heart. Pray that God bless their giving and use it to further his kingdom.
Encouraging healthy giving habits is essential to fund the work of the church and ministry for years to come. Take the time to invest in your congregation's giving habits today, and watch as God blesses your ministry in ways you never thought possible. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:8, "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."