Stewardship in the Church: Where We've Gone Wrong–and How We Can Go Right

The Bible isn’t unclear on the principle of stewardship. As believers of God, we’re to steward our money in a way that honors our Creator. That means remaining generous givers, good stewards of God’s gifts, and honest leaders and church members.

That being said, Christians have often gone astray from the core Biblical values of good stewardship. In the pursuit of money and wealth–and perhaps a lack of trust in God’s provision–some churches have abdicated their responsibility to be financially sound. The result? Tarnished reputations and damaged churches at worst; unhealthy church budgets at best. Either way, everyone loses.

The good news is that there are clear ways to avoid these missteps, as well as practical strategies for pursuing Christian stewardship in a way that considers church needs and builds a robust culture of generosity.

In this article, we'll explore where churches have strayed from Biblical stewardship and propose ways to realign with the Biblical values of financial management.

The Missteps in Modern Church Stewardship

The core reason behind poor stewardship? People are sinners, and as the Bible says, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10) However, there are also some other nuanced reasons for poor financial stewardship.

1. Financial Myopia: Traditionally, stewardship in churches has been closely tied to financial contributions. While funds are necessary for a non-profit like a church, an overemphasis on financial aspects can lead to a transactional mindset, overshadowing the Biblical aspects of stewardship. Being a cheerful giver, as the Bible puts it in 2 Corinthians 9, is not about what’s in your wallet (or how much you’re able to give), but about the attitude of your heart.
2. Lack of Transparency and Accountability: In some instances, there's been a lack of clarity on how funds and resources are utilized. For example, some high-profile church leaders have been accused of spending tithes on luxury goods, vacations, and more. When church members aren’t sure that their contributions are being used for the Kingdom of God, they’re less likely to give. This opaqueness can lead to mistrust and a decline in active participation by the congregation.
3. Poor Teaching on Giving and Generosity: One of the critical areas where many churches have gone astray in the realm of stewardship relates to the teaching on giving and generosity. This misdirection has significant implications, not just for the financial health of the church, but more importantly, for the spiritual health of its congregation. For example, a major issue arises with the proliferation of the "prosperity gospel," which mistakenly equates financial giving with guaranteed material blessings.

7 Ways to Encourage Christ-Centered Stewardship

So, how can you teach each one of your church members (and leaders) to become a faithful steward–not just of their money, but of their time, skills, and talents?

Here are 7 ways to encourage Christ-centered stewardship in your church.

Teach a Culture of Generosity

One way to instill healthy financial stewardship is to teach a culture of generosity in your church. Here are a few initiatives that can help your church members become joyful givers and faithful tithers.

Point to Scripture: The Bible highlights the importance of generosity again and again. From the widow’s mite to David’s temple gift, the people of God are called to be faithful in giving. You could even plan a Bible study around the topic of generosity.

Offer Practical Classes: Conduct classes on financial stewardship, covering budgeting, debt management, and the spiritual aspects of financial decisions. Investing in people this way can not only help build a healthier culture of generosity, but help your church members thrive in their personal finances.

Share Testimonies: Encourage members to share their experiences with generosity, demonstrating its impact and inspiring others.

Incorporate into Discipleship: Ensure that generosity is a part of discipleship at your church, establishing its value from the onset of one's journey of faith.

Leadership by Example: Maybe most importantly, church leaders should model generosity.

Highlight Humility & Joy

Maybe the biggest culprit behind poor financial stewardship is a lack of humility. In a “me”-centered, social media-fueled world, it’s easy to acquire a practice like generosity to gain attention and popularity. But Jesus Himself said that when we give, we’re meant to do so in secret.

“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:2-4

Make sure that humility is a core part of your teaching on stewardship.

Teach Donors to Be Cheerful Givers

If your church members give begrudgingly, then they’re missing the point. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, the Apostle Paul explains,

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

The important thing isn’t necessarily the size of someone’s donation, but the inward attitude of the heart.

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Broaden the Definition of Stewardship

Churches need to embrace a holistic approach to stewardship. This means recognizing that stewardship encompasses time, talent, treasure, and testimony. It's about the overall contribution to the church's life and mission, not just financial support. When givers understand the true meaning of stewardship, they’re more likely to steward their finances as well as their intangible resources.

Foster Transparency and Trust

By being transparent about financial matters and decision-making processes, churches can rebuild trust. Regular reporting, open meetings, and clear communication can foster a healthier stewardship culture.

Value Every Contribution

Acknowledging and utilizing the diverse gifts of the congregation strengthens the church community. This includes recognizing non-financial contributions such as volunteering, mentoring, and other forms of service.

Run a Stewardship Campaign

A stewardship campaign can become not only an effective form of outreach to your church community, but a way to extend the offering plate beyond weekend services. Getting church members excited about giving to the purposes of Jesus Christ–and excited about fundraising–is a great way to kick off healthy financial stewardship in your church.

A stewardship campaign might combine aspects of teaching with opportunities to give, or it might involve a special workshop that teaches church members how to save, give, and get out of debt.

In any case, using an online giving tool–especially one that offers giving through apps–can ensure that your campaign is effective and successful. When it’s easy and convenient to give, your church family is more likely to become the “cheerful givers” they’re called to be!

Over to You

The journey towards right stewardship in the church is ongoing and requires a collective effort. It calls for a return to the roots of what stewardship truly means - caring for and wisely using all that we have been entrusted with, for the glory of God.