__This blog is a follow-up to the *[3 Church Leadership Conversations on Giving](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/3-church-leadership-conversations-on-giving-6682) * as effective giving conversations are also crucial for the health of the church and its members.__

Church leaders talk about financial matters all the time, and it is not uncommon for these conversations to be focused primarily on the progress toward your giving goals. For an effective financial stewardship strategy that starts at the top, expand your financial discussions to include the topics that affect your givers.
### 
__Giving Conversation #1: The Spiritual Benefits of Giving__

Leaders know the connection between giving and discipleship. They know that learning to trust God with our money is a major component of our spiritual journey. But not all your members know this.

Churches would do well to discuss them holistically, with stewardship focusing on managing one’s time, talent *and* treasure, and generosity focusing on the heart and its willingness to help rather than simply on dollar amounts.

This means teaching that:

- __*Obedient owners* __think of the tithe (10%) as the only part of the believer’s money that God cares about, but __*love-inspired stewards* __see everything they have as God’s and give him total authority over 100% of it.
- Giving is between the individual and God, not the individual and the church. Giving to the church is not a membership fee. Tithes and offerings are given __*to*  __God __*through* __the church. Not __*to*__the church to meet its “needs.”
### 
__Giving Conversation #2: The Importance of Stewardship__

Stewardship refers to the responsible management of resources, including financial resources. Many churches offer courses on responsible financial management, but we’re seeing a growing interest around creating a specific program for their church to proactively include stewardship training as a core concept for assimilating new members and educating existing ones. It would include, of course, #1 above.

__Giving Conversation #3: Transparency and Accountability About Gifts__

It’s becoming common for people to express concern about financial transparency and call for greater accountability in churches and nonprofits. They want to know that their donations are being used responsibly.

This is not unreasonable considering public awareness of fraud, extravagant buildings and expenses, and some highly paid pastors. However, sometimes the pendulum swings unreasonably far to an extreme, and donors don’t want to support legitimate operational expenses. Instead, they want all their donations to go to mission recipients.

This gives churches both a responsibility and opportunity to show that the members themselves, and the community, are recipients of ministry resources, teaching, support, an environment to gather, worship and serve, and a staff to manage all of that…all of which are funded strictly by donors’ generosity.

Expanding your discussions with specific details on the results of member generosity is a good starting point for incorporating this transparency. We also recommend engaging members in the giving moment and through personalized acknowledgments that provide immediate insight into the impact of their gifts, delivering the desired accountability and even inspiring ongoing generosity.

We teach church leaders the biblical perspective on finances.

Christian Stewardship Network

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What should be the most important giving conversations that your pastors should be having with you as a church member?

3 Giving Conversations to Have with Members

__Like so many areas of life, the COVID-19 pandemic turned the investing world upside down. But not in the ways you might imagine.__

Usually, when the stock market tanks, investors run for cover, often selling at the worst possible time (when their investments have lost value). Then they typically wait on the sidelines too long, too fearful to get back in even as the market recovers.

Not so with the COVID crowd. In the first quarter of 2020, as the dread disease started moving through the U.S. in earnest, initially there *was* a lot of fear-based selling. From mid-February of that year through mid-March, the U.S. stock market fell 34%. It had never fallen so far so fast.

But then something very unpredictable happened. The market rallied, finishing 2020 with a remarkable 21% gain. The next year, with COVID keeping kids home from school and people working from home, the market boomed, growing nearly 27%. A strange confluence of events propelled stocks higher.

__Hello, Kitty__

Several social media influencers, including one who goes by the screen name “__[Roaring Kitty,](https://www.youtube.com/c/roaringkitty)__” gained widespread publicity for live-streaming their day-trading. As the media frenzy grew, millions of people were drawn to the stock market for the first time, many certainly motivated by the lure of seemingly easy money.

And therein lies an opportunity for today’s churches.

There are, no doubt, many people attending our churches who are new to investing. Others who have been investing for some time are likely to have renewed interest in the topic, and perhaps some new questions.

If ever there was a need for good counsel in what is arguably the most complicated aspect of personal finance, that time is now. And if ever there was an institution especially well-positioned to provide that counsel, that institution is the church. The Bible has some very important guidance to offer that pertains to investing.

__Remove the roadblocks__

One reason churches may be hesitant to teach on this topic is a concern about how far they can go in giving investment advice. While churches definitely should not recommend specific investments, there is much to learn—and therefore, much the church could teach—before someone gets to the decision of what investments to make.

In fact, that’s one of the more important points to make in teaching about investing: Don’t focus too early on choosing what investments to make; instead, choose a trustworthy investing *process* and let it tell you what investments to make.

__Broadly speaking, a biblical approach to investing is distinct in two ways: *motives and methods.*__

__Motives matter__

God-honoring investing is all about glorifying God by providing for your family’s long-term needs and living generously. While retirement as our culture defines it has no basis in Scripture, the fact is that most of us will one day step out of the paid workforce. Oftentimes, that’s due to health issues or a change at work. It’s simply wise stewardship to build a nest egg that will help cover our family’s later life needs. As the Bible says, “Whoever does not provide for their relatives, and especially their immediate family, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8).

As far as generosity goes, giving after your salary days are over can be fueled from your investment account. Steadily contributing to an IRA or 401(k) plan account throughout one’s career can lead to a significant account balance at retirement, which, in addition to helping you provide for your family, can provide ample opportunities for generosity: “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11).

__Methods matter__

Chief among the various biblical principles that apply to building an investment portfolio are diversification and taking the long view. Ecclesiastes 11:2 counsels, “But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead” (NLT). In a culture filled with headlines about this hot stock and that, diversification feels increasingly *counter-*cultural. And yet, it has stood the test of time as the wisest approach to investing.

The same can be said about Proverbs 21:5 (TLB): “Steady plodding brings prosperity; hasty speculation brings poverty.” On any given day, the stock market has about a 50% chance of increasing in value. However, the longer the time horizon, the more the odds move in an investor’s favor. In fact, over every 20-year period since 1926, the stock market has generated a gain.

__Even faithful Christians can be tempted by headlines promising quick riches. Now more than ever, God’s people need to hear from their churches about how to invest in God-honoring ways.__

__~~~~~~~~__
Matt Bell is managing editor at Sound Mind Investing, a Christian company that helps Christians invest well. The company was founded over 30 years ago by Austin Pryor, prompted by his friend, Larry Burkett, who said Christians need a source of trustworthy, biblical counsel for their investing. The company’s four-session video based resource, *Multiply: A Biblical Guide to Investing,* is designed for use in a small group or workshop setting. The videos are available for free through RightNow Media or for purchase at [this link](https://multiplystudy.com/).

__For Further Reading__
[Diagnosing the Health of Church Giving](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2024/4/18/diagnosing-the-health-of-church-giving)
[How Do I Grow Generosity at My Church?](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2024/4/18/how-do-i-grow-generosity-at-my-church)
[3 Church Leadership Conversations on Giving](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2024/4/4/3-church-leadership-conversations-on-giving)
[Stewarding Your Calling and Purpose](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2024/2/8/your-calling-and-purpose)
[Capital Campaigns and Biblical Stewardship](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2024/1/2/capital-campaigns-and-biblical-stewardship)
[How to Use “Thank You” as a Powerful Opportunity to Connect with Givers](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2023/10/31/use-thank-you-to-connect-with-givers)

__*Are you a pastor or church leader?*__
*At Christian Stewardship Network, we are passionate about teaching the biblical perspective on finances so that you can teach your church with authority, confidence, and integrity. Our network is a group of passionate Christ-followers with a burden to teach and equip God's people in stewardship and generosity. [Sign up for our mailing list](https://mailchi.mp/christianstewardshipnetwork.com/signup) to get new content directly to your inbox!*
*[Become a member of our network](https://membership.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/) to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!*
*CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity, [Support our mission through giving.](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/give)*

The COVID-19 pandemic turned the investing world upside down. But not in the ways you might imagine.

Why Churches Should Leverage Teaching on Investing to NexGen as a Discipleship Opportunity

__Imagine you begin to exhibit health concerns. You present various symptoms that give rise to concern. One response you could make would be to consult the information superhighway, which will give a broad range of possible illnesses from one end of the spectrum to the other. Another response would be to consult a physician. You make the appointment and arrive on time, carefully sharing an accurate description of what you have been experiencing.__

The doctor wisely orders several tests in an attempt to identify the problem. You’re not interested in guesswork; you want hard data, which is what medical tests provide. After all, data always precedes diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is made, then a treatment plan is formulated to restore your physical health.

In my experience, most people have an intuitive hunch that something is wrong. Yes, there are those who have devastating and even fatal diseases at work without their knowledge. But, most of the time we know. What we do with that intuition can be the difference between life and death. Some may shrug it off, propping themselves up with the idea that it's probably nothing and will eventually sort itself. Others, however, are proactive and determined to live according to the truth, however frightening it may be.

__Let’s translate this metaphor into the realm of stewardship and generosity__.

As a church leader, you are tasked with keeping a finger on the pulse of giving and the discipleship of your givers. But, how you feel about your church’s giving can be biased and even dismissed. It’s easy to get lulled into the allure of “up and to the right”. As long as the end result is tolerable, you can keep moving forward.

__But, data doesn’t lie.__

What you feel about your church’s giving may not equal what is really taking place in that particular aspect of your giver’s spiritual formation. For example, you may have a top giver that gives $100,000 per year. That’s great, right? But, what if that giver earns $10 million per year?

The data doesn’t lie. We can either ignore it at our own peril, or we can embrace it and begin to develop a treatment plan.

The 2023 MortarStone Generosity Report is equivalent to the testing that a doctor might order for a patient. Empirical data, unlike survey results, is what it is. It’s truthful, like a five year old with no filter. Data is also agnostic. It doesn’t choose sides or have an agenda. It’s honest and without opinion.

__The test results are in, and what we see from the results give cause for concern.__

Inflation has negated our budgetary growth. Generations born before 1980 are in double-digit decline. It will take 10 Generation Z givers to replace one Baby Boomer. For every new giver we add, we lose one. Churches are increasingly dependent on those born before 1964, and 20% of our giving comes from the top 1% of our givers. Those aren’t opinions. Those are our givers. For some churches, those symptoms are strong. For others, they may not be visible.

__Yet…__

I believe the answer is not a campaign. There are no quick fixes, especially when the diagnosis is concerning. The answer lies in a discipleship strategy that is led and embraced by Senior Leadership and Church Governance. Like the U.S. President, the Pastor is the pacesetter for delivering a clear and compelling vision for the future. As Commander in Chief, the President is also responsible for anticipating and addressing any challenging threats on the horizon, but they cannot do it alone. As a member of the Cabinet and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, you have a responsibility to provide the best information and data possible to those positioned in leadership and advise them accordingly. You don’t have to be an alarmist, but you have been tasked to be a problem solver, armed with data, to help the one who holds the compass.

__This responsibility involves the courage to face the truth, and the creativity to recommend solutions to fuel the current mission and fund future sustainability.__

MortarStone is here to help in any way possible. We are “from the pew and for the people.” We’d love to offer [a free 30 minute conversation](https://mortarstone.com/csn-landing/) to help you assess your particular context in light of the data. For more information on how MortarStone can help, visit [mortarstone.com](https://mortarstone.com/). To keep up wi th the most current research and our webinars, follow MortarStone on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mortarstone/).

*__Guest Author: Tim Deatrick, D.Min., CAP, Director of Giver Engagement at MortarStone__*

. . .

__For Further Reading__

[How Do I Grow Generosity at My Church?](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/how-do-i-grow-generosity-at-my-church-6683)

[3 Church Leadership Conversations on Giving](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/3-church-leadership-conversations-on-giving-6682)

[Stewarding Your Calling and Purpose](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/stewarding-your-calling-and-purpose-6477)

[Capital Campaigns and Biblical Stewardship](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/capital-campaigns-and-biblical-stewardship-6379)

[How to Use “Thank You” as a Powerful Opportunity to Connect with Givers](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2023/10/31/use-thank-you-to-connect-with-givers)

[When God Provides a Surplus, it’s Always for a Purpose](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/when-god-provides-a-surplus-its-always-with-a-purpose-6102)

The data doesn’t lie. Churches can either ignore it or embrace it and begin to develop and treatment plan.

Diagnosing the Health of Church Giving

Church giving can be an uncomfortable topic, but funding is essential to your church's function. There are many hurdles to overcome, but with the right approach, you can help your congregation grow and become better givers.

__How Do I Grow Generosity at My Church?__

__1. Address the Discomfort__

To make a change, you must first acknowledge the elephant in the room; some people are uncomfortable or unwilling to give. Help them understand the Biblical perspective on giving and the attitudes that should motivate it. Equally important, show them your church can be trusted to steward their gifts by modeling good stewardship and generosity as a church.

Extra Resource: [Reasons you people aren’t giving and what you can do about it.](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/videos/2024/3/27/reasons-your-people-arent-giving-and-what-you-can-do-about-it)

__2. Have a clear theology of money and stewardship… preach it and teach it.__

There are a few reasons why people don't give. For some, it's a distrust of  The Church. Some feel that tithing and giving are Old Testament laws no longer relevant to Christians today. Due to poor money management,  others can't maintain their financial obligations and give. As much as your people may want to give and express generosity, some may be unable to. This is why a Stewardship & Generosity Ministry is such an essential aspect of the discipleship of your congregation. By meeting your congregation where they are and teaching them God's financial principles, you can help them develop a practical and biblically-based understanding of money.

Stewardship is not primarily about funding the church. It's first about lordship and the posture of our heart toward God. When people understand their roles as stewards, giving to fund God's work will become a natural outflow of faithfully managing their money.

__3. Be Clear in Your Giving Message and Giver Communication__

Giving to the church, especially tithing, is a spiritual expression of one's faith in God, and it's crucial that your congregation is discipled to know and understand this. Acknowledging their gift and encouraging them through God's word is important because it helps them understand the purpose of giving.

Many churches miss a discipleship opportunity by not crafting an intentional message to thank people for their gifts. A simple video link with a 2-3  minute video for first-time givers is an easy and effective way to show that your church cares, is grateful, and wants them to grow closer to the Lord.

For those who give regularly, reminding them of the spiritual significance of their gift helps them remember that generosity is an important aspect of their lives and enables them not to become complacent in their  giving.

__4. A Stewardship Ministry can help change your church's culture of giving and generosity.__

Having  a generous church is possible but highly unlikely without a ministry dedicated to discipling and equipping its members in biblical stewardship and generosity. The Christian Stewardship Network is dedicated to helping churches understand and teach biblical stewardship and generosity. Whether you’re brand new to stewardship or a long-time practitioner, let our network partner with you. We’ve curated and created content designed to equip churches of all sizes in growing healthy stewardship ministries. [Check out our library of online courses and resources. ](https://membership.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/store)

. . .

__For Further Reading__

[3 Church Leadership Conversations on Giving](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2024/4/4/3-church-leadership-conversations-on-giving)

[Stewarding Your Calling and Purpose](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/stewarding-your-calling-and-purpose-6477)

[Capital Campaigns and Biblical Stewardship](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/capital-campaigns-and-biblical-stewardship-6379)

[How to Use “Thank You” as a Powerful Opportunity to Connect with Givers](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2023/10/31/use-thank-you-to-connect-with-givers)

[When God Provides a Surplus, it’s Always for a Purpose](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/when-god-provides-a-surplus-its-always-with-a-purpose-6102)

[Marriage and Money](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/marriage-and-money-5967)

With the right approach, you as the pastor can help your congregation grow and become better givers.

How Do I Grow Generosity at My Church?

Church leaders talk about financial matters all the time, and it is not uncommon for these conversations to be focused primarily on the progress toward your giving goals. For an effective financial stewardship strategy that starts at the top, expand your financial discussions to include the topics that affect your givers.

__Giving Conversation #1:__

__The Need for Transparency and Accountability About Church Spending Decisions__

More and more people have a heightened sensitivity to excess and fraud in charitable organizations. So, the church’s annual report should cover income, expenses and assets in an easily accessible format for members.

It’s also a good idea to:

- Host regular open meetings (with access to minutes for those who can’t attend) so members can ask questions and learn details on the church’s activities and decisions
- Appoint independent auditors to review financial records
- Issue background checks on staff and volunteers annually
- Use secure giving software with an audit trail feature to prevent fraud
- Have a policy in place to allow concerns to be reported without fear of retribution

__Giving Conversation #2:__

__The Health of Giving Trends__

In the 2023 Annual Stewardship Survey, 59% of small and 76% of large churches report being on track to meet or exceed their annual giving goals. While these numbers are encouraging, progress toward the annual giving goal alone is not a good indicator of healthy giving. A few metrics that better determine “health” include:

- __Percentage of households giving__- Focus on household over individual metrics; it is a more reliable measure of giving trends.
- __Frequency of household giving__- Categorized across irregular, regular, recurring, etc., frequency is a better measure of overall giving trends than giving amount.
- __Age of household members__- If most of your consistent givers are older, plan ahead as they will eventually age out.
- __Percentage of top donors__- 10% is a healthy percentage of top-giver contributions.

![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b28b3e945776e86f5212567/ae493012-9df5-4c93-982c-d5e23635ea4d/10%25+is+healthy+amount+of+top+givers.png?format=1500w)

Be sure to measure your digital attendees as well. In the post-Covid world of declining in-person attendance, overlooking digital attendees can result in overlooking essential trends.

__Giving Conversation #3:__

__The Role of Technology in Giving__

It’s great that more and more churches recognize the need to make giving convenient and accessible for church members via online giving, mobile giving apps and text-to-give. Unfortunately, most platforms fail to demonstrate impact or engage givers with their “payment” based experience.

Consider that 64% of people say they would give more if they knew the impact of their gifts *(Source: Fidelity Charity)*. This stat, plus the fact that religion’s overall share of giving is declining while it is increasing across non-profit sectors points to the importance of demonstrating the impact of generosity even during the act of giving (something most non-profits do very well).

![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b28b3e945776e86f5212567/00c2f99c-6f62-4e7d-8df7-91d0aaba3f7e/Thumbnails2+%2822%29.png?format=1500w)

For every gift given – at the moment of giving and through your acknowledgment – be sure your giving platform demonstrates the excellent work your church is doing for your members, community, and world.

__For Further Reading__

[Stewarding Your Calling and Purpose](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/stewarding-your-calling-and-purpose-6477)

[Capital Campaigns and Biblical Stewardship](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/capital-campaigns-and-biblical-stewardship-6379)

[How to Use “Thank You” as a Powerful Opportunity to Connect with Givers](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2023/10/31/use-thank-you-to-connect-with-givers)

[When God Provides a Surplus, it’s Always for a Purpose](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/when-god-provides-a-surplus-its-always-with-a-purpose-6102)

[Marriage and Money](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/marriage-and-money-5967)

[Engaging Givers from First Gift to Lapsed or Legacy](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/engaging-givers-from-first-gift-to-lapsed-or-legacy-5966)


. . .

Are you a pastor or church leader?

At Christian Stewardship Network, we are passionate about teaching the biblical perspective on finances so that you can teach your church with authority, confidence, and integrity. Our network is a group of passionate Christ-followers with a burden to teach and equip God's people in stewardship and generosity. Sign up for our mailing list to get new content directly to your inbox!

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity, Support our mission through giving.

Church leaders talk about financial matters all the time, and it's about a church working together on giving goals.

3 Church Leadership Conversations on Giving

__Paul begins his letter to the Romans by stating that he is a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God. He also adds "by the will of God" in most of his other letters to affirm the purpose of his calling to preach the gospel to Jews and Gentiles, something Paul never doubted. So sure was he of his calling and purpose that he gave up his freedom and eventually his life to pursue and fulfill it.__

At least for me, the beginning of a new year feels like renewal. It's like I've been given another opportunity to start over. As I've reflected on this new opportunity, purpose, and what I've been called to pursue, it brought me to the question: Am I living out this calling? Am I fulfilling God's purpose for my life?

The apostle Paul's conversion and calling were dramatic. Having Jesus physically appear to you and call you into a new mission would be unforgettable and very convincing. But we need to remember that this wasn't a pleasant encounter for Paul. Being confronted by the Son of God for persecuting his followers left him without his vision and unable to eat or drink for three days. I am glad not to have been called in such a dramatic fashion, but regardless, I am called, as are you, if you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

__What is your calling and purpose?__

Depending on who you listen to, the percentage of Christians who say they know their purpose is between eleven and forty percent. I'm not sure how accurate that is; what I know is that I had many conversations over my years as a pastor with individuals who struggled to know their calling and life purpose. The reason for this confusion may very well be due to a lack of understanding of what each of these means. First, let's define the difference between __calling__ and __purpose__ because they are not the same thing. Purpose has to do with the reason something exists or was created. God created you, and the reason you exist is to glorify Him. __Everyone's purpose is the same: to glorify God.__

*"For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen."*  (Romans 11:36 NLT)

__*Calling is God's invitation to you to participate in a specific way to bring him glory.* __This is a stewardship opportunity that all of us are entrusted with. It will involve different roles and responsibilities, which may change in various seasons of your life. One thing is sure: every person whom God creates is called.

*"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."*  (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV)

You may be a manager in one season and a missionary in the next. Regardless of what you do and your roles and responsibilities, your __*purpose*__ is always to glorify God. Each of these opportunities are God-given callings to fulfill that purpose.

*"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."* (1 Corinthians 10:31)

__We will face opposition as we carry out our calling.__

Do you remember why Satan sinned? Ezekiel 28 reveals that Satan's downfall came because of his pride. God had anointed Satan as a guardian cherub, the "inner circle" of angels, who had the closest access to God and guarded his holiness. He is described as the model of perfection, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty, and that beauty caused him to seek worship for himself and to rebel against God.

Satan opposes God and everything he's created and tries to obstruct God's plan. After his fall, Satan succeeded in getting Eve and then Adam to join his rebellion, and he's been trying to do the same to every person since. The Bible tells us, *"Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."* (1 Peter 5:8 NIV)

There are major problems in the world today, and their impact is felt by most. Difficulties, hardships, and opposition come in many forms, but we must never lose sight of their true origin.

*"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."* (Ephesians 6:12 ESV)

People are not the enemy. It's not a co-worker, a political party, or the person in the Oval Office that's the opposition and the source of your hardships. It's the devil and all the spiritual forces of evil that oppose God, who are trying to obstruct his plan and keep you from living your purpose.

__We steward our calling through faith.__

Although we wrestle against rulers, authorities, cosmic powers,  and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places, we don't do it alone, and certainly not by our own strength. This is a spiritual battle we must engage and win by faith.

*Before ascending to the Father, Jesus promised His followers, "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Counsellor, Advocate) to be with you forever; the Spirit of Truth… You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you… He will teach you all things"* (John 14:16-17, 26 ESV)

The Holy Spirit came to indwell and empower the disciples and all believers. This Spirit is the most powerful force in the universe. He lives in us and gives us knowledge so that we can have the mind of Christ, and by his power, we can oppose every work of the enemy.

*We are* destroying sophisticated arguments *and* every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and *we are* taking every thought *and* purpose captive to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5 AMP)

Don't let yourself get caught up in the physical world and miss out on what God wants to do in and through you. Your *purpose* is to glorify Him, and He's *calling* you to bear fruit where he's planted you. Receive by faith all Jesus has done for you, and be confident that His Spirit is with you, empowering you to fight and win every battle and accomplish your purpose.

__For Further Reading__

[Capital Campaigns and Biblical Stewardship](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/capital-campaigns-and-biblical-stewardship-6379)

[How to Use “Thank You” as a Powerful Opportunity to Connect with Givers](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2023/10/31/use-thank-you-to-connect-with-givers)

[When God Provides a Surplus, it’s Always for a Purpose](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/when-god-provides-a-surplus-its-always-with-a-purpose-6102)

[Marriage and Money](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/marriage-and-money-5967)

[Engaging Givers from First Gift to Lapsed or Legacy ](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/engaging-givers-from-first-gift-to-lapsed-or-legacy-5966)

[Why is it So Hard to Give?](https://www.faithfi.com/christian-stewardship-network/why-is-it-so-hard-to-give-5889)

. . .

__Are you a pastor or church leader?__

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Paul begins his letter to the Romans by stating that he is a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle.

Stewarding your Calling and Purpose

Capital campaigns are intensive fundraising endeavors aimed at securing substantial funding within a set timeframe. Typically, these campaigns support projects like constructing a new church, renovating facilities or retiring debt. However, beneath the financial surface lies a profound question: __Do capital campaigns align with biblical stewardship?__ The Word of God reveals a harmony between capital campaigns and stewardship and provides valuable lessons for today’s church leaders.

__Two Biblical Examples of Capital Campaigns and Stewardship__

To explore the connection between capital campaigns and stewardship, we turn to the Bible, which provides stewardship principles to guide our understanding.

__Exodus 35 - The Building of the Tabernacle__

The Israelites, liberated from Egyptian bondage, embarked on their journey to the Promised Land. Along the way, they received a divine call to construct the Tabernacle. This story focuses on the people's response when given the opportunity to give. Former slaves, who had experienced divine generosity, gave generously to meet the needs of their place of worship. This act exemplifies the essence of stewardship – a response of faith and the responsible management of resources, even after experiencing abundance.

__2 Corinthians 8-9 - A Special Offering for Jerusalem Christians__

The teachings of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 8-9 emphasize the stewardship aspect of caring for those in need within the Christian community. In this instance, Paul directed Titus to lead the Corinthian church in a campaign to support impoverished Christians in Jerusalem. Paul's instructions emphasized joyful and intentional giving, reflecting the essence of Christian stewardship. Giving becomes not just a transaction but an authentic expression of devotion to God and commitment to His people.

__Capital Campaigns Respond to Special Needs and Circumstances__

Stewardship was intrinsic to the identity, faith, and praxis of the Israelites. Their daily life was marked by laws and rituals expressing their identity as stewards, not owners. Among these laws was the practice of tithing, recognizing that everything belongs to God and supporting the ordinary needs of the community. However, God's call to build a tabernacle and respond to the needs of the impoverished in Jerusalem were not ordinary occurrences; they required an extraordinary response beyond ordinary giving. Today, God continues to call faith communities to undertake extraordinary missions like building a new church, launching a new ministry or responding to the call of the poor. Capital campaigns serve as a biblical and stewardship-driven response to this divine call.

__Capital Campaigns as Discipleship and Ministry__

A capital campaign is not merely a financial endeavor, just as the collection for building the Tabernacle and providing famine relief in Jerusalem was not just about raising funds. A capital campaign is about nurturing faith, deepening discipleship and serving others. A faith-driven campaign also unites individuals and communities in faith, fostering a shared purpose and ownership in their community's future.

__Inclusive Stewardship: Every Member's Contribution Matters__

The church is a Body, and every member, regardless of their financial capacity, should be invited to share their time, talent and treasure. Historically, churches have sometimes turned exclusively to affluent members to fund projects, but this approach does not align with the principles of stewardship, which calls for the participation of all members and values contributions of all sizes.

In Exodus 35, Bezalel and Oholiab led the work of building the Tabernacle, inviting everyone to participate according to their ability, reflecting the biblical principle that every individual has a role in the work of the church.

The apostle Paul, despite knowing affluent individuals who could have provided substantial support to the famine-stricken without a major campaign, chose the path of stewardship. He engaged the entire community, valued gifts of all sizes and shapes, and treated contributions from widows and millionaires alike with equal regard.

When approached through the lens of biblical stewardship, capital campaigns not only fund important projects but also deepen faith, discipleship and community engagement. With every member's involvement, your capital campaign can fulfill its divine call and spiritually enrich the entire congregation, aligning with the essence of faith, responsible resource management and the recognition that every contribution matters.

__For Further Reading__

[How to Use “Thank You” as a Powerful Opportunity to Connect with Givers](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2023/10/31/use-thank-you-to-connect-with-givers)

[When God Provides a Surplus, it’s Always for a Purpose](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2023/9/28/when-god-provides-a-surplus-its-always-with-a-purpose)

[Marriage and Money](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/marriage-and-money)

[Engaging Givers from First Gift to Lapsed or Legacy ](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2023/8/30/engaging-givers-from-first-gift-to-lapsed-or-legacynbsp)

[Why is it So Hard to Give?](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2023/8/17/why-is-it-so-hard-to-give)

[Five Ways Budgeting Makes your Life Easier, Not Harder](https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2023/8/3/5-ways-budgeting-makes-your-life-easier-not-harder)

Do capital campaigns align with biblical stewardship? The Word of God reveals a harmony between the two.

Capital Campaigns and Biblical Stewardship

__It is difficult to watch the events happening in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine and consider the level of brutality that people can impose on one another. That kind of behavior seems inhuman.__

How can some people cause such harm to others? The apostle Paul reveals the answer in his letter to the Ephesians.

__The Battle__

*For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.* __Ephesians 6:12__

__Yes, it is men who are acting out these acts of violence, but the influence behind these actions are demonic spirits who have one goal: to destroy humanity in their rebellion against God.__ Our enemy isn't other people; it is the spiritual beings that influence and coerce people into evil behavior. Does this make men who do harm innocent? No! They will all have to give an account of their actions before God, and so will all people ([Romans 14:12](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2014%3A12&version=ESV)). Therefore, we must remember who our real enemy is because we will fight the wrong battle if we don't.

One of the remarkable things that Jesus did consistently during his earthly ministry was to address these demonic spirits while healing and ministering to people. Throughout the gospels, we see Jesus casting out the spirits of those who were demon-possessed before healing their diseases.

One such act is shared in [Matthew 8:28-34](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%208%3A28-34&version=ESV), [Mark 5:1-20](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%205%3A1-20&version=ESV),  and [Luke 8:26-39](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%208%3A26-39&version=ESV). I encourage you to read these passages, but here's a summary of the story. After the wind had driven their boat opposite where they had intended to go, Jesus and the disciples arrived at the country of the Gadarenes.

Immediately upon arrival, two demon-possessed men who were living among the tombs and causing a lot of turmoil came and fell before Jesus. These guys were fierce, so much so that no one in the nearby town dared go near them. Jesus, knowing they are demon-possessed, tells the demon(s) to come out.

Many spirits possessed these men, a legion, perhaps numbering in the thousands. Having been told to come out of these men, the demons plead with Jesus to allow them to go into a nearby herd of pigs. Jesus agrees, and after the demons enter them, the pigs run off a cliff into the water and drown, no doubt scaring the herders and causing them to tell everyone in the city what had occurred.

All the people of the city came out, and when they arrived, they saw these men clothed and in their right minds. __When they realized that Jesus had done this, the whole town begged him to depart from their region.__

__The Will__

Does the people's response after seeing such a miracle of deliverance with their own eyes seem weird? Why would they ask him to leave? The logical reaction would have been to ask him to come to the city and do more of the same deliverance and healing, but instead, they do the opposite.

__Consider how the actions of Jesus impacted the lives of these people.__ These were Gentiles. Like other neighboring nations, they were serving false gods. It is naive to think that the only people from this town oppressed by demons were these two men living among the tombs when the Spirit of God was not among them.

By setting these men free from the bondage of the devil, Jesus was disrupting what was the *normal life* of the people of that town. And let's not overlook the fact that 2000 pigs drowned, which caused some people to lose a lot of money and perhaps their means of support. More significantly, __if these people allowed Jesus to stay, it would mean they would have to change, give up their way of life and the gods they worshiped, and choose God and His will over their own.__

We should not be surprised by the people's reaction and response to Jesus. Is it different from what we do sometimes? When Jesus allows us to choose him over having our own way, do we not sometimes choose our own way? __We may justify our choices, whether where we spend our money or how we spend our time, but doing anything other than God's will is rejecting him, in short, telling him to leave.__

__The Battle of Our Will__

Our allegiance comes down to choice. It's a matter of our will, which directs every decision. John Maxwell said, "Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make, makes you." This is true in every area of life, but it is easiest to see in how we spend our money.

In Matthew 6:24, Jesus makes it clear that you cannot serve both God and mammon, which was the Syrian God of riches, a false god. You will ultimately bend your knees to one master or another. You will favor and love one while hating and rejecting the other. You cannot serve them both.

__Money may be material in nature, but its use is influenced by the spiritual, whether it be the Spirit of God or the principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness of this age. The decisions we make with money, how much we spend, save, and give, clearly indicate who and what we value most. This is a spiritual battle, and you and I are in the thick of this fight with every decision we make. It is the choice to pursue our will or submit to and do God’s will.__

Money may be material in nature, but its use is influenced by the spiritual.

The Battle of Our Will

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