Every pastor wants a generous church. But generosity isn’t just about giving—it’s a reflection of spiritual growth. Research shows that those who are more involved in their church are exponentially more generous. So, how do we encourage people toward that kind of generosity?
In my last blog, we explored some consistent trends in charitable giving. We landed on two key factors that drive generosity:
- Engagement – The more involved someone is in the vision of your church, the more generous they become.
- Discipleship – Active, attending believers are the primary force behind philanthropy in the U.S., both inside and outside the church. Churches receive the largest share of charitable donations, individuals outgive corporations, and those with religious affiliations are exponentially more generous.
Here’s what that means for your church: When we create meaningful discipleship opportunities, we see transformation—not just in our congregations but in our cities, our nation, and beyond.
Generosity is a direct result of spiritual growth. And the good news? Your church doesn’t need to launch a dozen new initiatives to solve every issue. Instead, you can disciple people to step into their calling, mobilizing generosity in ways that extend far beyond the walls of your church.
Developing a Theology of Generosity in Your Church
Last time, I encouraged you and your team to discuss the steps and micro-steps of engagement. Now, I’d like to introduce another crucial topic:
Do you have a theology of generosity?
I’m not simply asking if you believe in tithing and giving. This is bigger than that. Can you clearly define the kind of generous disciple you want to develop? Is there an intentional growth path for generosity in your church?
If your answer is “not really,” don’t worry—you’re not alone. Many church leaders haven’t outlined a clear theology of generosity. But taking the time to do this can completely shift the way your church approaches giving. Without it, generosity conversations can become transactional—focused on money, needs, and meeting a budget. That’s not the culture most pastors want. Instead, when you lead with spiritual principles, generosity becomes an inspiring and transformative journey for your people.
These principles can look like the following:
- Generosity begins with the most giving God. (John 3:16)
- Generosity is the blessed life according to Jesus. (Acts 20:35)
- Giving is a spiritual gift and a spiritual discipline. (Romans 12:8; Proverbs 3:9-10)
- Generosity is fueled by prayer and fasting. (Is. 58:6-8; Matt. 6)
Building Your Theology of Generosity
So, where do you start? Here are a few questions to help guide that process:
- How would you define God’s generosity, and what does it mean for us as people made in His image?
- What are the spiritual disciplines of a generous life? Think beyond giving—prayer, fasting, and hearing from God.
- Have you fully explored the biblical teaching of the tithe? Many adults assume any church donation qualifies as a “tithe,” and percentage-based giving isn’t a common practice in today’s culture. What does Scripture actually say about it? (And as a side note, I believe the tithe conversation is limiting—we don’t want giving to be viewed as just a rule to follow.)
- What are the attributes of a generous person? Generosity isn’t just about money; it’s a lifestyle of giving time, talents, and resources.
- Which Bible stories illustrate generosity in powerful ways? Think about stories like the Good Samaritan and Zacchaeus—how do they help shape our understanding of giving?
- What are the rewards and fruits of a generous life? People need to see that generosity isn’t just about sacrifice—it’s about blessing, joy, and kingdom impact.
If you and your team can’t articulate your church’s theology of generosity, it will be difficult to measure or celebrate the growth of generous disciples. And if giving feels lower during this time of year, now is the perfect moment to focus on engagement and discipleship.
Your church members want to live out their faith in meaningful ways. When you take the time to define and teach a biblical vision of generosity, you’re not just increasing giving—you’re partnering with people to grow in their faith and impact the world around them.
So, take the time. Have the conversations. Build a theology of generosity that inspires and equips your church for a life of kingdom-driven generosity.
Todd McMichen has spent over 30 years as a senior leader and consultant driving growth, fundraising, and strategic planning initiatives for churches and nonprofits, while also launching Lifeway Generosity.
In working with churches across the country, he has navigated some of the most challenging financial and stewardship situations ministries face. And he’s helped them raise hundreds of millions of dollars for Kingdom impact.
Want to discuss some of these topics with generosity expert, Todd McMichen? Request a meeting and gain invaluable insights and personalized guidance to inspire generosity within your congregation.