Let’s be honest. Preaching about money is difficult. Sometimes, it’s even awkward.
If you start talking about it more, will people say you’re preaching a self-serving message? Will they feel like you’re pressuring them? Will they think you see them as an opportunity to bring in revenue instead of as people?
Those are valid concerns. Unfortunately, the poor examples of a few have made many cautious. The pastors caught in scandals have shaped how some people view ministry and money.
But the reality is this: you’re not in ministry for the money. You’re in it for the people. So how do you talk about money in a way that’s sincere and biblical?
Money is a big deal in Scripture. Jesus spoke about it often, and over 2,000 verses in the Bible talk about money, possessions, or stewardship. If we avoid this topic, we leave a major gap in discipleship.
Here are three common mistakes pastors make when preaching about money and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Treating money like a taboo topic
Some pastors avoid the topic altogether or only mention it in passing. And when they do, it comes with a disclaimer: “I don’t want to talk about this, but the Bible does, so here we go.”
But when we treat money as off-limits, our people learn to do the same. They start to believe money is unspiritual. The truth? Scripture is clear—how we handle money reveals our spiritual priorities.
Matthew 6:21 says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If we don’t talk about money, we’re leaving our people to navigate one of life’s most powerful forces without biblical guidance.
Normalize it. Talk about money the same way you talk about prayer, serving, or evangelism. Show your church that generosity is part of spiritual formation.
Mistake #2: Talking about numbers instead of discipleship
At SecureGive, we work with thousands of churches. One thing we see too often is pastors focusing only on budget updates or financial goals. These things matter, but they’re only one small part of the conversation.
People don’t give to cover line items. They give to see the Church grow, to reach the lost, and to meet needs in the community and beyond.
Frame money as a tool God uses to spread the Gospel. Generosity becomes inspiring when it’s tied to impact, not just expenses.
Don’t reduce giving to numbers. Elevate it to mission.
Mistake #3: Only talking about money when you need it
This might be the most common one. Many churches only bring up generosity when there’s a shortfall or a capital campaign. But when that’s the only time it’s mentioned, it sends the wrong message.
It makes people think, “The church only talks about money when they’re in trouble.”
Generosity is not a reaction. It’s a rhythm of faith.
Paul didn’t just teach about giving in emergencies. In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, he described giving as a joyful act of worship and a way to share in the work of God.
Even if your church is financially healthy, talk about generosity regularly. Teach it as a spiritual discipline, not just a fiscal need.
So what does this mean for you as a pastor?
- Don’t avoid it. Make money a normal part of spiritual conversation.
- Don’t make it about bills. Connect it to impact and discipleship.
- Don’t wait for a crisis. Teach about generosity regularly and proactively.
Here’s the bottom line: Preaching about money doesn’t have to feel awkward. When you treat it as discipleship, it becomes less about a budget and more about shaping hearts for the Kingdom.
Want a way to start?
We’ve created a free sermon series called Be Generous. It’s a 4-part series written and preached by Dr. Marty Baker that inspired greater generosity, increased volunteering, and deeper engagement at his church.
The series includes:
- Full sermon transcripts
- Graphics and visuals
- A complete kit to help you teach generosity with confidence
It’s free, and it’s helped countless ministries already. You can download the full resource here.