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Church Stewardship and Giving

It’s not just about being able to balance your budget or tithing 10 percent because Scripture says you should. Church stewardship and personal stewardship are biblically grounded aspects of discipleship. But how do you talk with your church or your family about stewardship? And what does it mean to practice stewardship not only when you’re making your budget but when you’re living your daily life? How do you adapt church stewardship and giving for the digital age? Here, you’ll find a whole host of church stewardship ideas and strategies to help you navigate these questions.

How is stewardship different than charity?

Charitable giving is one way you can use the resources God has given you generously. And it’s an important part of biblical stewardship. But stewardship is about the way you use all the resources God has given you, not just whether you tithe or give to charity. As both churches and individuals, we steward our resources in the ministries we choose to invest in, the businesses we support, and even the ways we spend our time. Strong stewardship should start with prayer and discernment and be guided by vision, vision of God’s call for you, your church, or your family. 

Church leaders sometimes shy away from discussing financial stewardship in the church. It can be uncomfortable to talk about finances openly. Asking your congregation to open up their checkbooks to support your own ministry can make you feel particularly vulnerable. But biblical stewardship in all its forms is an essential part of fulfilling God’s mission in the world. And when you cultivate a strong culture of generosity in your church, there’s often a powerful ripple effect on your ministry.

Church stewardship ideas and stories

Explore practical articles and inspiring stories about stewardship and generosity.

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silhouette of man and woman sitting on a bench with a screened image of a bay in the background

Why We Should Embrace the Difficult Conversations with Hope for a Brighter Financial Future

Often, God brings us to these "belly of the whale" moments in order to lead us into new life.
group of people talk on a mountain top with sunset

Why Pentecost Calls Upon Us to Talk About Creation Care

The Spirit’s gift to speak and be understood across languages and cultures unlocks astonishing new levels of community.
Chinese language Bible lies on top of dirt with cherry blossoms scattered around

Why Care for God’s Creation Matters: A Biblical Perspective

We as Christians cannot sit back and do nothing while God’s creation is being harmed on our watch.
a locked wooden box with a slot on the top hangs from a white church wall

How the Pandemic Has Revealed a Paradigm Shift in Our Approach to Giving

Church giving looks different these days. Here's what you can do to embrace that shift.
woman holding silver iPhone 6

Top Church Online Giving Platforms in 2021

Four tools we recommend for churches and why we like them
abundance of wheat in wheat field

Five Inspiring Stories of People with an Abundance Mindset

In anxious times, it's easy to think in terms of scarcity; here's how people are bucking the trend
man and woman sitting at table with foods

How to Teach Your Kids about Giving

Five things parents can do to raise generous givers
An old calculator against a yellow backdrop

5 Strategies for Rethinking Your Church Budget

It may not be your favorite subject, but the budget matters
A close-up image of a young person's hands giving away $20 bills.

How a Gift of $242 Sparked Generosity in this Congregation

A land sale, a reverse tithe, and generosity upon generosity.