New Year, Renewed Generosity: Top Strategies for Increasing Your Church’s Giving in 2024
As the snow blankets the ground, signaling the start of a new year, so too do we, as the body of Christ, have the opportunity to cloak our spiritual lives with a fresh blanket of generosity. The beginning of a new year is often seen as a time of reflection and resolution – a perfect season to refocus our hearts on the biblical principles that guide our steps and stewardship.
The scriptures are rich with wisdom about the blessings entailed in giving. The book of Acts tells us, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” (Acts 20:35). This scripture is not merely an…
The scriptures are rich with wisdom about the blessings entailed in giving. The book of Acts tells us, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” (Acts 20:35). This scripture is not merely an advisory—it is a profound truth steeped in the promise of divine joy. Let us embark on a journey together; a journey that wears charity as its herald and generosity as its envoy, empowering our church to give more, not just monetarily, but in spirit and truth throughout the new year.
Casting the Vision: The Widow’s Mite and Our Modern-Day Offering
We recall the story of the widow’s offering in Mark 12:41-44, where Jesus observes the wealthy placing their large sums into the temple treasury, followed by a poor widow who contributes only two small coins. Here, Jesus declares that this widow, in her poverty, has given more than all the others. It’s not the size of the gift that mattered, but the size of her sacrifice relative to her means. This pivotal teaching moment demonstrates that our giving is not about meeting quotas or surpassing benchmarks – it’s about the heart.
Vision-casting for increased giving must start with a powerful call to action from church leaders, paralleling the story of the widow by encouraging each member to give in a way that is sacrificial and joyful, aligned with their individual capacity. At the onset of the year, present a vision that speaks of selfless giving and dedication to God’s work. Let us strive to give not out of abundance, but out of our reverence for God.
Inspiring Through Sermons: The Parable of the Talents
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus used parables to convey heavenly truths. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) is particularly relevant when discussing stewardship and generosity.
The master, who represents God, entrusts his servants with talents (a sum of money) in varying amounts and expects them to invest and increase what they’ve been given. This story serves as a reminder that what we have is not ours, but God’s, and we are to steward it wisely, ensuring that our investments—our time, talents, and treasure—yield a bountiful harvest for His kingdom.
Use this parable to craft sermon series that educate your congregation on the responsibilities of wise stewardship and the joy of investing in eternal matters. Teach them, through biblical analysis, how to see their resources as tools for service and ministry.
Testimony and Teaching: The Macedonian Church Example
In 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, Paul highlights the Macedonian church’s generosity, noting that out of the most severe trial and extreme poverty, their overflowing joy and rich generosity welled up. The Macedonians first gave themselves to the Lord and then, by God’s will, to Paul’s ministry. Share testimonials from within the congregation of those who have experienced the grace of giving. Let these stories of personal sacrifice and divine provision resonate, inspire, and move hearts to action. Teaching through testimony makes giving tangible and faith an active pursuit.
Cultivating Generosity: The Fruit of the Spirit
The apostle Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruits of the Spirit. Among them, goodness and kindness speak directly to generous living. Encourage your church to view their giving as a spiritual discipline, much like prayer or studying the Word. As we practice generosity, we cultivate these fruits, transforming our character into the image of Christ, who “though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Empowering Action: The Feeding of the Five Thousand
In John 6:1-14, Jesus feeds five thousand with five barley loaves and two fish provided by a boy. This miraculous event teaches us that the Lord can take our modest offerings and magnify them beyond our comprehension. We must not disdain what we have as too little; when placed in the hands of Jesus, our little becomes much.
Challenge your congregation to trust God with their giving, to bring what they have, and see how the Lord multiplies it for the benefit of many. Implement a commitment card campaign early in the year where each member can pledge what they are willing to give as the boy did, trusting God with the outcome.
To facilitate these acts of giving, make sure that the mechanisms for donating are easily accessible and well communicated. Whether through traditional tithing envelopes or modern digital platforms, providing a seamless way for your congregation to give reinforces the message that their contributions are valued and vital.
As we turn the page to a new chapter, let us write a story of audacious generosity, unshakeable trust in God’s provision, and unwavering commitment to His cause. May our New Year’s resolutions include a covenant to give not just from our wallets, but from our hearts. And as we do, we shall surely see the promise of Malachi 3:10 unfold.
“Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
This new year, let’s embrace the call of renewed generosity, and witness how the Lord blesses and uses our offerings for His glory and the expansion of His kingdom.