How to Think about Year-End Giving in 2020

Is It Right to Ask this Year?

This year, nothing is certain. As a society we are experiencing financial difficulty at many levels. There is pushback against tv ads that are viewed as insensitive to people who are in financial straits due to unemployment, furloughing, etc. Even in prosperous times, talking about giving can be difficult for many pastors and this is especially true when their church members may be in financial difficulty. The temptation for the pastor may be to shrink back from asking their church members to give generously this season. Pastors, this would be a great disservice to your church family.

Don’t Shrink Back

For most pastors, money and giving would not be included in a list of favorite preaching and teaching topics. Talking about money and generosity can seem self-serving. No pastor would want to be perceived as greedy or feel like a televangelist. I am reminded of a conversation I had with a young pastor and church planter. When I asked how giving was and whether he had done any recent teaching or equipping on generosity, he admitted it was a weak area in his leadership. He said he felt bad about asking his young church to give because it felt self-serving. I pointed out to him that the opposite is true and that he was doing them a disservice by not training them in biblical stewardship. This is an easy thing to prove. Think about those who taught you about biblical stewardship. Do you resent them for talking about money? Do you feel like they were greedy, just out for your money? No! You’re grateful to them for teaching you the true joy and freedom that comes with biblical generosity.

Plan to Preach on Giving

With that in mind, make a plan to teach and preach about giving in your church. Teach them giving is an act of worship and that they are giving for God (not for themselves, not for the church, not for you). Teach them that giving is an act of trust. Acknowledge the reality of the financial difficulty they may be in but also gently show them that the biblical commands related to giving and generosity are not predicated on financial stability. Remember the testimony of the Macedonians who were commended for giving while in trial, affliction, and extreme poverty (2 Cor. 8:1-6). As you look at your 2021 preaching schedule, make a plan for how you are going to equip your church to grow in stewardship next year.

Encourage Generosity

Encourage your members to give generously and intentionally starting with their local church. One simple practical step that will help your church family is to send a “Reminder about Year-End Giving” email with simple instructions on how to contribute to your church online. If they have additional funds, give to other ministries or charities such as the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions (Click here to see the interview with IMB President Paul Chitwood).

Pastors, love your church well this season by equipping them in biblical stewardship and helping them find joy in the “privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints.”