Gospel Giving and the Importance of Stewardship in the Local Church

Today, I get to reinforce a common stereotype- a preacher talking about money.

While the stereotype may be an earned one due to "Christian television", I would submit that we might be guilty of creating an unhealthy or unscriptural culture regarding Gospel giving in the churches we pastor or serve at.
Let us walk through some thoughts to encourage us about the great opportunity that exists within the local church through the financial means God has blessed the membership with.

Thought #1- Giving is explicitly commanded, explicitly exampled, and eternally grounded, let's not hold back from speaking about it.

When we consider even a simple passage like 1 Cor. 16:1-4, we find funds had been set aside due to preaching about a Gospel need. They were told to give by grace even as other Christians and churches were doing. The goal was to help the Gospel remain in a challenging area through a local church.

If we are not careful as pastors, we shy away from a vital topic that affects the salvation of others and the sanctification of the flock; shying away from it hinders the eternal work of the Gospel.

No matter our preaching philosophy or style, speaking about the stewardship of material wealth for the Gospel is something our flock needs.

Thought #2- Giving is an opportunity for a Christian to express their faith in and thanks to God, so let's frame it that way when we preach about it.

I would be less than honest if I said that in my younger years of ministry I characterized giving from this perspective. Sadly, I expressed it in terms of duty for what we owed God. Think about people who are highlighted in the NT due to giving- the widow, Barnabas, Philippian church, etc.- they demonstrate an internal trust in God about His eternal plans for earthly wealth, His ability to care for them, and gratitude to be included in His plans.

Maybe we should ask ourselves if our preaching and teaching about giving is cultivating a "get to" or "have to" attitude?

Thought #3- Giving unleashes or hinders active grace in our lives and through the church, let's remind our folks of that when we preach. 

The early church had two incredible events take place back to back in congregational life, each revolved around money (and the giving of it).  
Acts 4 finds one man publicly giving a large sum enabled by God's grace.
Acts 5 finds a couple, in the power of the flesh, faking the giving of a large gift.
The motives of the heart determined God's enablement in the moment of giving. They both experienced an encounter with God; I would take Acts 4 any day.

In one sense, our brothers and sisters should be reliant upon their God's help when they deny their flesh and give.  
In another sense, our brothers and sisters should be excited that God will help them in this area of their sanctification.

Thought #4- Giving is for the Gospel and not a lucky rabbit's foot, let's not be sloppy in our preaching about it.

How many of us have heard some truly awful messages from Malachi 3 or Luke 6 that all but espouse traits of charismatic theology yet delivered by a Baptist pastor?
I do not think the average pastor is unfamiliar or untrained in a biblical theology of giving but I do think we can be "fuzzy" or unintentionally inconsistent at times.
In not so many words, any idea of, "If you give, God will make sure your car won't break down, you'll not get fired...." is presented as the motive to give rather than accepting God's grace for the Gospel to go forward. 

It is tempting to be Joel Osteen but we should probably stick to Paul's instructions to the Corinthians in 2 Cor. 8-9.

Thought #5- Giving in the church is a public scenario that requires public accountability, let's handle Gospel funds with transparency and integrity. 

When we read of the early church and then Paul's missionary endeavors, giving was clearly done in a public manner and recorded.  
Communication took place within the congregation and specifically with those they partnered with.  
Accountability and responsibility took place with individuals, as a congregation, and with other Christian ministers.  
Pastors, if we are not intentional, giving can easily be squelched due to a lack of internal controls, reporting, and communication.  

Are we handling Gospel funds in such a way that the congregation is aware of what is taking place and can have confidence in the eternal stewardship of our church?

The beauty of giving is that it is not relegated to a certain type of person or congregation; each follower and church of Jesus can make an eternal difference through Gospel giving.

Pastor, how are we stewarding our role in the process?

-Paul Norton
Faith Baptist Church | Beavercreek, OH