Within the Bible, numerous lessons on church giving abound. Consider the parable of the Rich Young Ruler found in Mark 10:17-22—a prime illustration of this concept:
17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.”21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.
This is quite the lengthy introduction for a guide on church giving, right? Well, it’s important to remember just how vital donations and tithes are to church health. So, what does the story of the Rich Young Ruler tell us? Keep reading.
What Must I Do?
In the account from Mark 10:17-22, a wealthy individual approaches Jesus, seeking guidance on how to attain eternal life. Jesus provides him with a set of commandments. The rich man assures Jesus that he has meticulously followed these directives throughout his life.
Jesus’s response takes a profound turn. He challenges the man to relinquish his material possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him for the promise of eternal life. However, the rich man hesitates and chooses not to embrace this path.
It’s essential to interpret this not as a universal call for everyone to forsake their belongings for salvation. Instead, it underscores a deeper message: even when we believe we have done all necessary deeds to earn divine favor, there is always more to consider. Often, we mistakenly place our faith in our actions rather than in God. The rich young ruler exemplifies this by trusting his material wealth more than his Heavenly Father.
Jesus’s lesson extends beyond mere actions. It highlights that salvation doesn’t solely result from deeds. A more profound path exists—one of grace. This challenges the notion that salvation relies solely on human actions. By focusing on deeds, one can end up endlessly striving without ever feeling fulfilled.
The narrative encourages reliance on grace—a gift that transcends deeds. This parable showcases grace’s transformative power, offering a compelling perspective on a divine relationship built on unconditional love. It demonstrates that salvation isn’t about achieving enough through actions; it’s about embracing grace and embracing God’s love.
What Can I Do to Increase Church Giving?
The same principle applies when seeking to enhance giving within your church. One avenue is to take action, to “DO” more—embrace new software, text message giving, direct mail campaigns, email marketing, giving sermons, financial planning programs, giving envelopes, and kiosks. These efforts are undoubtedly valuable and should be pursued—akin to following the Golden Rule and the Ten Commandments.
However, their impact might be limited if not accompanied by something truly remarkable. This brings us to a pivotal aspect: a compelling, inspiring vision that generates a genuine desire to contribute. While the actions themselves are essential, they can lead to an endless cycle of doing without an extraordinary catalyst.
What is this catalyst? It’s the power of a compelling message—a narrative that resonates deeply and motivates people to give willingly. When you possess such a powerful message, your actions become more effective and efficient. They align with a captivating vision that propels individuals to engage, fostering a sense of unity and purpose that transcends mere action.
Ultimately, merging meaningful actions with an inspiring vision creates a synergy that amplifies the impact of each effort, leading to a more vibrant culture of giving within your church. When you’re ready to dig into crafting your amazing message…and EVERYTHING else you need to do to boost your member giving quickly, reach out to us.
Schedule a Discovery Call with the giving experts at DonorWerx. We’ll guide you through the steps necessary to give your people a compelling reason that makes them want to give.
