Blog - Christian Stewardship Network

Breaking Barriers: Helping People Move Past Resistance to Biblical Stewardship

Are you a pastor or church leader?

At Christian Stewardship Network, we are passionate about teaching the biblical perspective on finances so that you can teach your church with authority, confidence, and integrity. Our network is a group of passionate Christ-followers with a burden to teach and equip God's people in stewardship and generosity. Sign up for our mailing list to get new content directly to your inbox!

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity. Support our mission through giving.

Did you know?

The Christian Stewardship Network is dedicated to helping churches understand and teach biblical stewardship and generosity. Whether you’re brand new to stewardship or a long-time practitioner, let our network partner with you. We’ve curated and created content designed to equip churches of all sizes to grow healthy stewardship ministries.

Get Started with a Free Course Preview of Going Deeper in Stewardship!

How to Create Giving Moments that Inspire Generosity in Your Church

CSN — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Every Sunday, churches everywhere carve out a moment to talk about giving. But let’s be honest—sometimes that moment can feel a little awkward, routine, or even skipped over without much thought. What if, instead, it became one of the most meaningful parts of your entire service?

When it’s done well, the giving moment isn’t just an announcement about money—it’s a powerful opportunity to disciple your church family, share vision, and inspire joyful, heartfelt generosity.

Here’s how you can shift your giving moment from something routine to something transformational.

Why the Giving Moment Matters

In today’s culture, money can be an uncomfortable subject—often avoided or misunderstood. That’s why the giving moment in your service is so important. It’s one of the few times you get to talk openly and intentionally about stewardship and generosity. It’s a chance to:

• Teach biblical principles about giving

• Show how giving fuels the mission of your church

• Encourage people to grow in trust and generosity

When you communicate the heart behind giving, you help people see it not as a duty, but as an act of worship and an invitation to join in the work God is doing.

5 Keys to an Effective Giving Moment

1. Make It Pastoral, Not Promotional

Your goal isn’t to hit a budget target—it’s to disciple people. Approach the giving moment like a pastor, not a fundraiser. Use it to point people back to the spiritual significance of generosity, not just the financial needs of the church.

Pro Tip: Frame giving as a response to God’s generosity toward us, not the church’s need for money.

2. Connect Giving to Impact

People are more motivated to give when they can see the difference their generosity is making. Use this time to share real stories about lives being changed, ministries growing, and how giving is making a real impact.

For example:

“Because of your giving, we were able to launch a new ministry last month that’s already helping families in need.”

3. Keep It Short, But Meaningful

You don’t need to deliver a full sermon during the giving moment. In fact, keeping it short can make it even more powerful. Aim for 60 to 90 seconds of intentional, clear communication that ties giving back to your church’s mission and God’s Word.

4. Use Scripture & Real Stories

Anchor the moment in Scripture and real-life examples. Share a verse about generosity or a short testimony of how giving has made a difference in someone’s life.

Example:

“In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul reminds us that God loves a cheerful giver. Today, we celebrate the generosity of this church family and the way it’s fueling ministry every single week.”

5. Give Clear Next Steps

Always make it simple and clear how people can participate:

• Online giving options

• Giving boxes in the lobby

• Text-to-give instructions

But don’t stop there. Encourage people to reflect on why they give, how they give, and how God is growing their heart through the practice of stewardship.

From Transaction to Transformation

When you approach the giving moment as something more than a financial transaction, it becomes a key part of your church’s discipleship strategy. Over time, these moments will shape a community of believers who understand, value, and live out biblical generosity.

A thoughtful, Spirit-led giving moment creates space for God to move in people’s hearts—and that’s where true transformation begins.

👉 Learn more about CSN Membership and start building a thriving stewardship ministry today.

For Further Reading

How to Create and Communicate a Clear Vision for Your Stewardship Ministry

A New (and Surprisingly Simple) Tool to Encourage Connection and Generosity

Top 4 Church Giving Trends from the 2024 Generosity Report (And What to Do About Them)

From Stewardship to Generosity: How to Create a Culture of Giving in Your Church

How to Create and Communicate a Clear Vision for Your Stewardship Ministry

Are you a pastor or church leader?

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity. Support our mission through giving.

Did you know?

Get Started with a Free Course Preview of Going Deeper in Stewardship!

Breaking Barriers: Helping People Move Past Resistance to Biblical Stewardship

CSN — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Let’s be honest—whenever money comes up in church, something shifts in the room. You can almost feel the tension. For so many people, conversations about giving, tithing, or stewardship trigger more than just questions; they trigger emotions, past hurts, even skepticism.

Some people have been burned by churches or leaders who used guilt and manipulation to raise money. Others feel ashamed of their financial struggles and quietly wonder if they belong in these conversations at all. And many simply don’t get why money is even a “church thing” to begin with.

But as church leaders, we don’t get to shy away from these real, raw tensions. We’re called to lean in—to pastor people through their doubts and baggage with truth, grace, and love. Because at the heart of biblical stewardship isn’t an obligation; it’s an invitation. An invitation to freedom, trust, and transformation.

Why People Struggle with Stewardship Conversations

Most of the resistance we encounter isn’t random—it usually comes from a few understandable places:

1. Misunderstanding God’s Heart

A lot of folks assume the church just wants their money. It’s easy to reduce stewardship to budgets and buildings if we aren’t careful to paint the bigger picture. Without clear, compassionate teaching, people miss that stewardship isn’t about what the church wants from them—it’s about what God wants for them.

2. Mistrust of Institutions

Let’s face it—people have reasons to be skeptical. Too many headlines about financial scandals and misused resources have left a bad taste in people’s mouths. When we talk about giving, many are quietly wondering, Can I actually trust how this money is being used?

3. Guilt, Shame, or Financial Struggle

For some, giving feels like a reminder of what they lack. Whether it’s past mistakes, debt, or comparison to others who “give more,” conversations about money can stir up shame and insecurity.

4. Confusion About What the Bible Really Teaches

There’s a lot of bad theology out there when it comes to money. Some believe tithing is outdated and legalistic. Others have been hurt by prosperity gospel promises that left them disappointed. Many simply haven’t been shown what Scripture actually says about generosity and stewardship.

Responding with Truth, Grace, and a Pastor’s Heart

The word “apologetics” means to give a defense—but not in an argumentative way. In this case, stewardship apologetics means lovingly helping people understand why we talk about money, and why it matters to their walk with Jesus.

Here are three truths we can gently, consistently share:

1. Stewardship is About Ownership, Not Obligation

At the core of stewardship is this simple truth: Everything belongs to God.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” (Psalm 24:1)

This isn’t about church budgets. It’s about living with open hands, knowing everything we have is a gift from Him. Generosity isn’t a strategy—it’s an act of worship. It’s how we reflect God’s heart and experience real freedom.

2. Giving is For the Giver’s Benefit

People often think teaching on giving is about what the church wants from them. But Scripture flips that idea upside down:

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

Generosity isn’t about adding pressure to anyone’s life. It’s about loosening the grip money can have on our hearts. It’s about learning to live free, grateful, and connected to what God is doing in the world.

3. Stewardship is Discipleship

Jesus talked about money more than almost anything else—not because He needed people’s money, but because money reveals what we trust, love, and worship.

When people resist conversations about stewardship, it’s often because they haven’t yet seen that God is after their heart, not their wallet. Stewardship is part of spiritual formation. It’s a journey of trust, surrender, and transformation.

How Church Leaders Can Create Safe, Honest Stewardship Conversations

So how do we pastor people through the resistance and tension? Here are a few ways:

✅ Start with Scripture, not strategy.

Teach stewardship from God’s Word, not from the church’s budget needs.

✅ Name the tension.

Be real about the doubts and baggage people carry. When you acknowledge it, defenses come down.

✅ Keep the focus on the heart.

This is about spiritual growth, freedom, and trust—not numbers, percentages, or fundraising goals.

✅ Share stories.

Celebrate how stewardship and generosity have changed people’s lives—not just how it’s funded ministry.

✅ Be transparent.

Don’t hide how resources are used. Build trust by showing how giving fuels the mission.

It’s About Invitation, Not Obligation

The hesitation people feel around money is real—but so is the joy, freedom, and spiritual growth that happens when they catch the heart of biblical stewardship.

Our job as leaders isn’t to pressure, guilt, or persuade. It’s to invite, teach, and walk with people on this journey. When we communicate clearly and lovingly, we can help people move from resistance to participation—from skepticism to spiritual growth.

Because at the end of the day, generosity isn’t what God wants from His people—it’s what He wants for them.

👉 Learn more about CSN Membership and start building a thriving stewardship ministry today.

For Further Reading

A New (and Surprisingly Simple) Tool to Encourage Connection and Generosity

Top 4 Church Giving Trends from the 2024 Generosity Report (And What to Do About Them)

From Stewardship to Generosity: How to Create a Culture of Giving in Your Church

Why Monthly Stewardship Collab Calls Are a Game Changer for Church Leaders

Are you a pastor or church leader?

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity. Support our mission through giving.

Did you know?

Get Started with a Free Course Preview of Going Deeper in Stewardship!

Creating and Communicating a Clear Vision for Your Stewardship Ministry

CSN — Mon, 19 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

A strong stewardship ministry has the power to shift how people think about money, stuff, and generosity. But even the best ministry won’t get far if folks don’t really understand what it’s all about. That’s why clarity matters. Without it, people might assume stewardship is only for those struggling financially—or worse, that the whole thing is just a fancy way to ask for more money.

If you want to build a ministry that’s healthy, thriving, and actually helping people grow, you’ve got to paint a clear picture of why it exists. One that invites people in, earns their trust, and shows how stewardship ties directly into following Jesus.

Why Having a Clear Vision Matters

When people don’t understand the “why” behind your stewardship ministry, they’re left to fill in the blanks themselves. And usually, that looks like:

“Oh, that’s just for people who don’t know how to handle money.”
“They probably just want me to give more.”
“I’m doing fine financially—so this isn’t for me.”

These kinds of assumptions can hold your ministry back. But when you’re clear and upfront about your vision, it cuts through the confusion and opens the door for everyone to get involved and grow.

How to Shape a Clear, Compelling Vision

Here are four simple steps to help you craft a vision that sticks:

1. Start with Scripture

Your vision should be grounded in the truth that everything we have belongs to God—and we’re simply managing what He’s entrusted to us. (Psalm 24:1) Stewardship isn’t just about balancing budgets or paying off debt. It’s about how we live, how we give, and how we trust God with it all.

Let people know this ministry isn’t focused on numbers—it’s focused on heart change and spiritual growth.

2. Know Your “Why”

Get clear on the purpose behind your ministry. Ask yourself (and your team):

Why does our church have a stewardship ministry in the first place?
What do we hope people will walk away with?
How does this connect to our church’s bigger mission?

Your answer should be simple and inviting. Something like:

“Our stewardship ministry exists to help people experience freedom and joy by learning to manage God’s resources His way.”

3. Clear Up Common Misconceptions

Address the false ideas people might have right out of the gate. Make it clear that:

Stewardship isn’t just for people in financial trouble—it’s for everyone.
The goal isn’t to raise money—it’s to help people grow spiritually.
Stewardship touches every part of life, not just bank accounts.

Find ways to weave this message into your classes, conversations, emails—everywhere.

4. Keep Saying It

Once you’ve nailed down your vision, talk about it all the time:

From the stage on Sundays
In small groups
On your website and social media
In classes, workshops, and casual conversations

The more people hear it, the clearer it will become—and the more likely they’ll be to lean in.

A Clear Vision Leads to Real Impact

When people start to understand that stewardship isn’t about squeezing money out of them—but about spiritual growth and freedom—they’ll want to be part of it. They’ll see that this ministry is for everyone, no matter their financial situation.

Clear vision breaks down walls, builds trust, and invites your whole church to experience the joy of living generously and faithfully with everything God’s given them.

Ready to shape a vision that actually sticks? CSN members get access to tools, templates, and coaching that help you lead with clarity and purpose.

👉 Learn more about CSN Membership and start building a thriving stewardship ministry today.

For Further Reading

A New (and Surprisingly Simple) Tool to Encourage Connection and Generosity

Top 4 Church Giving Trends from the 2024 Generosity Report (And What to Do About Them)

From Stewardship to Generosity: How to Create a Culture of Giving in Your Church

Why Monthly Stewardship Collab Calls Are a Game Changer for Church Leaders

Beyond the Numbers: Strengthening Ministry Through a Pastor-Finance Leader Partnership

Are you a pastor or church leader?

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity. Support our mission through giving.

Did you know?

Get Started with a Free Course Preview of Going Deeper in Stewardship!

A New (and Surprisingly Simple) Tool to Encourage Connection and Generosity

CSN — Mon, 12 May 2025 15:28:39 +0000

Article Curated from our friends at Simple.

At the Christian Stewardship Network (CSN), we see stewardship as more than managing money—it’s a vital part of discipleship. Small, intentional steps toward generosity and connection can spark real life change. That’s why we’re committed to finding simple, effective tools that make it easier for people—especially those who are new or unsure—to get involved.

One such tool is already making an impact in churches—and it starts right at the seatback.

Picture this: a visitor walks into your church, sits down, and notices a small sticker that reads:

“Tap or scan to connect.”

With a quick phone tap or a QR code scan, they’re instantly linked to:

A digital connection card
Event and group sign-up forms
Key church announcements
A giving page that works with Apple Pay or Google Pay

No app downloads, no URLs to type in, no login required.

So, What Is NFC?

Near Field Communication (NFC) is the same tech that powers Apple Pay and Google Pay. With a simple tap near a chip, someone can be instantly directed to a digital link or action—whether it’s giving, registering, or filling out a form. When connected to a mobile-optimized giving platform, this can make generosity possible in just a few taps.

Why This Matters for Churches

Reducing the friction in connecting and giving is a key goal for ministry. NFC is one of the most straightforward ways to do just that.

One church that tried this approach saw incredible results:

53% of those who gave through NFC were giving for the first time
37% weren’t previously in the church’s database

In other words, this tiny chip opened up a big opportunity for people to take their next step.

Don’t Skip the QR Code

While most modern phones support NFC, not all do. That’s why pairing NFC with a visible QR code ensures everyone can participate—no matter what kind of device they have.

A Small Change with a Big Impact

This isn’t about keeping up with the latest gadgets. It’s about removing obstacles to generosity and community—especially for those who are new or exploring faith. When it’s easy to engage, more people will.

Curious how this might work in your church?

Reach out to us to learn more about NFC ›

For Further Reading

Top 4 Church Giving Trends from the 2024 Generosity Report (And What to Do About Them)

From Stewardship to Generosity: How to Create a Culture of Giving in Your Church

Why Monthly Stewardship Collab Calls Are a Game Changer for Church Leaders

Beyond the Numbers: Strengthening Ministry Through a Pastor-Finance Leader Partnership

👉 Become a CSN Member and join the conversation

Are you a pastor or church leader?

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity, Support our mission through giving.

Did you know?

Get Started with a Free Course Preview of Going Deeper in Stewardship!

Top 4 Church Giving Trends from the 2024 Generosity Report (And What to Do About Them)

CSN — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Guest Author: Danny Stokes, MortarStone Customer Success Specialist & Financial Freedom Pastor, Cross Timbers

In the latter half of 2024 and into early 2025, my church has seen a decline in giving—and perhaps your church has experienced a similar trend. As ministers focused on stewardship, generosity, and church finance, is it possible to steer things in a more positive direction?

MortarStone recently released its 2024 Annual Report, which is based on real data from 537 churches. The report highlights contributions from 941,790 unique giving households that collectively made 43.1 million gifts, totaling $13.7 billion. A closer look at this data reveals interesting trends that can be impacted by ministry. Here are a few key observations:

1. Develop a Strategy for First-Time Givers

Recent findings show that “Half of the households that gave in 2021 did not give in 2024” and that while the number of new givers is growing, though their donation amounts are lower. Rather than viewing this as a setback, see it as an opportunity. Many churches simply send a thank you note to first-time givers and wait to see if they give again. But what if we took a more aggressive approach to welcome and integrate these new givers into our church community? Research indicates that the more engaged a person becomes the more likely they are to continue giving.

At my church, every first-time giver enters a multi-step workflow that includes a thank you video (We’ve scrapped the hand written thank you notes that are no longer impactful…I know, it’s scandalous!), a powerful testimony of life change, a small token gift, assistance in joining a small group or finding a service opportunity, and an invitation to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. All of these steps can be automated and tracked through MortarStone software. Instead of waiting for repeat gifts, why not connect and pastor these individuals so that recurring giving follows naturally?

2. Clean Up Your Church’s Data

The report reveals that “Churches are missing dates of birth on 47.6% of givers” and that “Churches host 13.5 million households in their ChMS, of which only 941,790 have a recordable gift.” Clearly, many church databases have become little more than cluttered “junk drawers.” Accurate data—like birthdates—is crucial for tailoring discipleship, especially as Gen X now represents a significant giving demographic in place of Boomers.

Consider when your last data cleanup occurred. Is there a designated staff member or key volunteer tasked with removing duplicates, consolidating household records, and updating information? A good starting point might be to ask staff to update their profiles, then extend the request to volunteers and small group leaders, who can encourage their groups to update their details as well. Offering incentives and integrating profile updates (including birthdates) into the membership process can also make a significant difference. Let’s commit to giving our databases a thorough cleaning!

3. Reassess Your Approach to Tithing

The statistics are eye-opening: “Only 1 in 20 attendees are tithers” and “of those who gave in 2024, 8.9% tithed.” If tithing is seen as a key component of discipleship, this low participation is a clear concern. At my church if only 1 in 20 people prayed or read their Bible or had healthy marriages, I’d be hard at work designing ministry that would change that statistic.

Church leadership should consider developing a robust Theology of Stewardship and Giving. Important questions include: Does God truly own everything? Is the staff expected to tithe? Should every New Testament believer tithe? And if so, should the tithe be given directly to the church, or is it acceptable to give it to other Christian organizations? Once these questions are addressed, you can standardize the language used in sermons and other church publications. As the saying goes, “words create worlds.” With a clear stewardship theology, you can also explore classes, coaching, and events that support your church’s unique approach—Jim Shephard at Generis has an excellent podcast on this subject.

MortarStone now features a new “Tithing” section that offers insights into giving trends based on neighborhood census data, helping to identify households with the capacity for more giving—and even those who might be spiritually gifted in generosity or blessed with wealth.

4. Rethink Your Dependence on Top Givers

Many churches increasingly rely on a small group of major givers. The report notes that “The median amount given by the top 1% of givers has gone up 47%” and that “The average church depends on its top 1% of top givers for 21.2% of its annual giving.” While it’s a blessing that God has placed generous families in your church, heavy reliance on a few givers poses risks if they ever relocate or experience financial shifts.

Instead of ignoring this critical group, embrace the need to nurture and pastor them. Scriptures like Romans 12:8 remind us that some individuals are endowed with the gift of generosity. Why not organize annual dinners for top givers to share vision and pray together? Or send them regular updates on the church’s progress? Side note…my role is to pastor this group at my church and they have become some of my closest ministry friends and we’re now using their experience and wisdom in other areas. MortarStone software provides quick access to these insights, making it easier to manage and engage your top givers.

The Bottom Line

The data is clear: Giving patterns are changing—but they don’t have to define your ministry’s future.

By proactively engaging first-time givers, cleaning up your data, clarifying your theology of stewardship, and nurturing your most generous households, you can strengthen your church’s discipleship and financial health. Creating a data-enabled ministry using MortarStone will give you an easy way to make sure your ministry efforts are making a discipleship difference. MortarStone offers valuable tools, from analytics and coaching services to help you move the needle in these areas.

Want to go deeper?

At CSN, we equip church leaders to build thriving stewardship ministries. Explore our resources, join our community, and learn how data-driven ministry can make a discipleship difference.

👉 Discover our Stewardship Resources

For Further Reading

From Stewardship to Generosity: How to Create a Culture of Giving in Your Church

Why Monthly Stewardship Collab Calls Are a Game Changer for Church Leaders

Beyond the Numbers: Strengthening Ministry Through a Pastor-Finance Leader Partnership

How to Cultivate a Culture of Transparency in your Church

Are you a pastor or church leader?

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity, Support our mission through giving.

Did you know?

Get Started with a Free Course Preview of Going Deeper in Stewardship!

From Stewardship to Generosity: How to Cultivate a Culture of Giving in Your Church

CSN — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Stewardship Alone Isn’t Enough—Why Generosity Matters Too

A lot of church leaders spend time teaching financial stewardship—encouraging people to manage their money wisely, stick to a budget, and give regularly. And that’s important! But stewardship is only part of the story. If we want to help people truly grow as disciples, we’ve got to go beyond good money management and lean into something deeper: a lifestyle of generosity.

When believers understand both stewardship and generosity, something shifts. They don’t just budget well or give because they “should”—they start living open-handed, joy-filled, radically generous lives.

In this article, let’s break down the difference between stewardship and generosity, why both matter, and how church leaders can help create a culture of giving that’s rooted in the heart, not obligation.

Stewardship vs. Generosity: What’s the Difference?

Stewardship is all about how we manage what God has entrusted us with. It’s based on the biblical truth that everything belongs to God (Psalm 24:1), and we’re called to take care of it well—whether that’s our money, time, abilities, or relationships.

Generosity, though, is something deeper. It’s not about management—it’s about overflow. It’s the posture of someone who knows they’ve been blessed and is eager to give freely, joyfully, and intentionally to bless others and build God’s Kingdom.

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

• Stewardship = Managing well

• Generosity = Giving freely

Both are essential if we want to grow spiritually and follow Jesus in how we handle money.

Why Churches Need to Teach Both

If we only focus on stewardship, people might stop at just checking the boxes—budgeting, tithing, saving, and feeling like they’ve done their part. But when we also disciple people toward generosity, it moves them from obligation to opportunity.

Generosity isn’t about meeting a church budget—it’s about changing lives.

When your church leans into a culture of generosity:

• Giving becomes worship, not a chore.

• People start to see their money and resources as tools for ministry, not just personal security.

• Financial discipleship becomes part of their spiritual growth, not something separate from their faith.

How to Build a Culture of Generosity in Your Church

Here are four practical ways you can help move your church beyond stewardship to joyful generosity:

1. Teach the Theology

It all starts with the right foundation. Keep pointing people back to the truth: God owns it all, and we’re His stewards. Don’t just mention it once—keep it in front of your congregation in sermons, small groups, and everyday conversations.

2. Make Money Conversations Normal

For a lot of people, money feels like a private or awkward topic, especially in church. You can break that barrier by creating safe, open spaces to talk about money, giving, and stewardship without guilt or shame.

3. Celebrate Generosity Stories

Nothing inspires people like real-life stories. Share how acts of generosity have made a difference—whether it’s a family who got out of debt and can now give freely, or a ministry project made possible by people’s faithful giving. Stories make generosity feel real and contagious.

4. Help People Take the Next Step

Not everyone’s in the same place financially, so tailor your encouragement:

• First-time givers — Celebrate their first step and help them keep going.

• Consistent givers — Challenge them to keep growing in generosity.

• Major givers — Pastor and disciple them like anyone else. Their giving may look different, but their heart needs the same spiritual care.

It’s About More Than Money

At the end of the day, stewardship and generosity aren’t just financial strategies—they’re about forming disciples. When your church understands both, you won’t just see more giving—you’ll see transformed lives. People who live with open hands and open hearts, trusting God’s provision and eager to invest in His Kingdom.

Because building a generous church isn’t really about funding ministry—it’s about growing people.

For Further Reading

Why Monthly Stewardship Collab Calls Are a Game Changer for Church Leaders

Beyond the Numbers: Strengthening Ministry Through a Pastor-Finance Leader Partnership

How to Cultivate a Culture of Transparency in your Church

3 Things Jesus (Never) Said About Money, Wealth, and Possessions

Are you a pastor or church leader?

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity, Support our mission through giving.

Did you know?

Get Started with a Free Course Preview of Going Deeper in Stewardship!

Stewardship: The Heart of True Discipleship

CSN — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:01:56 +0000

Many church leaders overlook the true impact of stewardship on their ministries, often limiting it to conversations about finances. That was certainly the case for Sam Gungaloo, a lead pastor of the Washington Conference of SDA near Seattle. When invited to his first Stewardship Impact Workshop hosted by the Christian Stewardship Network (CSN), Sam wasn’t initially convinced. In fact, he was skeptical, thinking stewardship was all about money, something he wasn’t excited about.

However, attending the Stewardship Impact Workshop dramatically shifted his perspective. “I walked away rich with blessings,” Sam shared. “My entire mindset shifted. Stewardship isn’t just about finances—it’s central to discipleship and vital for our congregation’s spiritual growth.”

Now inspired and equipped, Sam is committed to guiding his church leadership toward a clear, biblically grounded understanding of stewardship. He recognized that for too long, varied definitions have led to confusion and missed opportunities. Sam’s experience underscores a powerful truth: stewardship and generosity aren't side issues—they’re at the very heart of healthy, thriving church communities.

Discover the Power of Stewardship for Your Ministry

Ready to experience this transformational shift for yourself? Join us at the next Stewardship Impact Workshop on April 29, 2025, at LCBC in Manheim, PA. Discover firsthand how embracing biblical stewardship principles can deepen discipleship and ignite growth within your congregation.

Can’t make it in person? Dive into CSN’s comprehensive online resource library, specifically designed to equip church leaders with practical tools and biblical insights. We also warmly invite you to become a member of our growing online community—a passionate network of leaders committed to integrating generosity into their church culture.

Take your next step today.

We’re hosting an in-person workshop at LCBC Church in Manheim, PA on April 29th. Join us live by registering today. Together, let’s grow discipleship through stewardship.

Learn more

Enhancing Financial Literacy in Your Congregation: Practical Insights with Biblical Foundations

CSN — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Church leaders increasingly recognize that financial challenges among members aren’t just practical—they’re deeply spiritual. Teaching financial literacy through a biblical perspective equips congregants for transformative, lasting change.

**What Does Biblical Stewardship Really Mean?**

Biblical stewardship is more than managing finances; it's a core spiritual discipline deeply connected to discipleship. Jesus frequently spoke about money, possessions, and generosity. Key passages like Proverbs 3:9 and the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) highlight stewardship as an essential element of spiritual maturity.

Identifying Your Congregation’s Financial Needs

Church members often fit into several financial categories:

Image taken from the Stewardship Impact Workshop, online and/or in-person workshop by Christian Stewardship Network.

Surplus: Blessed with abundance, looking for guidance on faithful stewardship.
Solid: Financially stable individuals who desire to grow in generosity.
Stable: Managing finances adequately but seeking deeper biblical insight.
Struggling: Facing financial hardships and in need of practical, compassionate support.

Understanding these groups helps you develop targeted approaches to financial discipleship.

Effective Tools for Teaching Money Management

Equip your congregation with practical resources focused on budgeting, saving, debt reduction, and generosity. Consider offering workshops, small groups, sermons, and accessible digital tools that support ongoing financial education.

Not sure where to start or what curriculum fits your targeted attendees? We’re excited to share a free Stewardship Sandbox, a free resource designed to easily compare different stewardship programs side-by-side, helping you find the curriculum that fits your church’s unique needs.

Fostering Open Conversations Around Finances

Create a culture where discussing finances is normal and encouraged. Establish safe, judgment-free environments that allow open dialogue about financial challenges and victories, thereby reducing stigma and building stronger community bonds.

Partner with CSN to Transform Your Church’s Financial Culture

The Christian Stewardship Network (CSN) is dedicated to supporting leaders like you with comprehensive resources, training, and community support. Explore CSN’s extensive library of courses, interactive workshops, and a vibrant community of stewardship leaders. Whether you're just starting your stewardship journey or looking to enhance your ministry's impact, CSN offers tools and guidance to help your congregation thrive financially and spiritually.

Take the next step today—partner with CSN to grow your congregation’s financial literacy and deepen discipleship.

Explore the Stewardship Sandbox Browse online courses Sign up for a Free Webinar Learn more about the Stewardship Impact Workshop

For Further Reading

Why Monthly Stewardship Collab Calls Are a Game Changer for Church Leaders

Beyond the Numbers: Strengthening Ministry Through a Pastor-Finance Leader Partnership

How to Cultivate a Culture of Transparency in your Church

3 Things Jesus (Never) Said About Money, Wealth, and Possessions

👉 Learn more about CSN membership and start joining Collab Calls today.

Are you a pastor or church leader?

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity, Support our mission through giving.

Did you know?

Get Started with a Free Course Preview of Going Deeper in Stewardship!

Why Monthly Stewardship Leader Collab Calls Are a Game-Changer for Church Leaders

CSN — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Are you leading stewardship ministry in your church and looking for fresh ideas, encouragement, or connection? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to lead alone. That’s why the Stewardship Leader Collab Calls from Christian Stewardship Network exist: to equip you with insight, community, and practical strategies that help you build a culture of biblical generosity in your church.

These monthly Zoom calls bring together stewardship leaders from across the country to share real-world experiences, offer live feedback, and learn from one another in a setting that’s honest, helpful, and Spirit-led.

What Are Stewardship Leader Collab Calls?

Each month, CSN hosts a live, one-hour Zoom call exclusively for our members. These calls are led by seasoned stewardship pastors, generosity experts, and ministry practitioners who understand the complexities of stewarding resources in today’s church.

Every call includes:

• A focused topic or ministry challenge

• Real-life stories and best practices

• Group discussion and live Q&A

• Practical takeaways you can implement right away

Whether you’re leading a brand-new stewardship ministry or have been in the trenches for years, you’ll find something valuable here.

Why Join? Here’s What Makes These Calls So Valuable

1. You’ll Find Community and Encouragement

Stewardship ministry can feel lonely. These calls are a space where leaders can connect, be encouraged, and remember they’re not the only ones championing biblical generosity in the local church.

2. You’ll Get Real-Time Feedback on Strategies

Bring your questions and challenges. Whether it’s how to launch a new class, engage your senior leadership, or grow a giving culture—this is a place to get honest, practical input from others who’ve been there.

3. You’ll Learn from Leaders at Every Level

Each call includes a range of voices—from large churches to small congregations, from veteran leaders to those just starting out. That variety creates a rich learning environment where every perspective matters.

4. You’ll Build Momentum Month After Month

Leadership growth doesn’t happen in isolation. These calls are designed to keep you focused, resourced, and moving forward in your ministry with confidence and clarity.

5. You’ll Stay Rooted in Biblical Principles

At the heart of every Collab Call is the biblical foundation for stewardship and generosity. We’re not chasing trends—we’re committed to God’s truth.

Hop on our next call and get started transforming your church’s culture of generosity—one conversation at a time.

If you’re a CSN member, you’re already invited! New members can join at any time and immediately gain access to all future calls. Plus, these calls are recorded and available to rewatch whenever you want.

Let’s Grow Together

At Christian Stewardship Network, we believe that no leader should have to navigate stewardship ministry alone. Our heart is to partner with you as you work to shift the culture of your church toward biblical generosity. Through our membership, you’ll find more than just monthly calls—you’ll gain access to a growing library of online resources, real-time conversations with experienced leaders, and an ongoing community that’s committed to walking with you in ministry. Whether you’re building a stewardship ministry from the ground up or looking to take your next step, CSN is here to equip, encourage, and walk alongside you every step of the way.

Learn more

For Further Reading

Beyond the Numbers: Strengthening Ministry Through a Pastor-Finance Leader Partnership

How to Cultivate a Culture of Transparency in your Church

3 Things Jesus (Never) Said About Money, Wealth, and Possessions

Why Churches Should Leverage Teaching on Investing to NextGen as a Discipleship Opportunity

Are you a pastor or church leader?

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity, Support our mission through giving.

Did you know?

Get Started with a Free Course Preview of Going Deeper in Stewardship!

Beyond the Numbers: Strengthening Ministry Through a Pastor-Finance Leader Partnership

CSN — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Guest Author: Bill Cox , CEO and Founder, Martus Solutions

The role of the church finance leader is not simply about controlling spending—it’s about setting priorities that support and grow the ministry. For the senior pastor, building a strong partnership with your finance leader ensures that every dollar is connected to the mission, reinforcing both the church’s financial health and its spiritual impact.

Creating a budget should primarily focus on establishing financial priorities that align with a ministry's mission. While collaborating with a church leader on their initial church budget, we identified numerous expense items that lacked any discernible benefit to the ministry. These expenses were allocated to activities that persisted solely due to tradition, without anyone questioning their contribution to the ministry's objectives. Meanwhile, more impactful opportunities remained unfulfilled due to funding limitations.

This example highlights the importance of thoughtful collaboration and honest discussions that can lead to a more focused and mission-driven financial strategy.

At the heart of this financial alignment is humility and transparency.. Read on for six ways pastors and financial leadership can work together to support a financially resilient church that is rooted in purpose.

Foster Mission-Driven Financial Discussions

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” — Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

Stewardship begins with prayer and planning. In The Conversations: The Message Bible With Its Translator, Dr. Eugene Peterson contrasts how God led Joshua to victory at Jericho through divine intervention but provided a detailed strategy for the battle at Ai. Likewise, churches must approach financial planning with both faith and strategy.

Pastors and finance leaders should begin their financial discussions with prayer, seeking God’s guidance for how to best steward the church’s resources in alignment with its mission. Financial discussions should always come back to the core question: How do our resources serve God’s purpose for our ministry?

Empower Your Finance Leader Beyond Numbers

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

To carry out the church's vision, pastors and finance leaders must recognize that effective stewardship is essential. After all, visions need resources! Churches often fail when they do not adequately manage financial resources, which are critical to ministry growth.

The finance leader brings valuable insight into how to allocate these resources effectively, supporting everything from new ministry initiatives to personnel decisions. Collaboration between the vision and resources ensures that financial strategies align with the church's broader spiritual goals.

Connect Giving with Ministry Impact

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” — 2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV)

Many church plants or ministries struggle financially because they keep their needs hidden from their congregation. Early in the ministry of Willow Creek Church, Bill Hybels relates how bearing the financial burden of a church alone is not only ineffective but highly stressful. When he decided to share the burden with his congregation, the lack of adequate resources disappeared! He discovered that transparency about financial needs invites generosity. The finance leader can play a key role in making sure that giving is stewarded wisely for impactful ministry efforts. They can also identify potential financial challenges by closely monitoring giving and resource allocation.

Pastors must work closely with their finance leaders to foster clear communication between church leaders, support staff, and the congregation, ensuring that everyone understands how their gifts contribute to the ministry’s vision. This builds trust and encourages ongoing generosity.

Cultivate Financial Discipleship Within the Congregation

“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” — 1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)

Part of the pastor-finance leader partnership involves teaching the congregation about the biblical principles of stewardship. Money is a tool for advancing the Kingdom, not an end in itself.

Offer workshops or stewardship campaigns that teach church members how to manage their finances in a way that aligns with biblical principles, empowering the congregation to give generously and manage their own resources well.

Align Long-Term Ministry Vision with Financial Health

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” — Luke 14:28 (NIV)

Strategic financial planning is essential for long-term ministry growth. Having responsible cash reserves and avoiding debt for operating expenses are key to maintaining financial health. The finance leader plays a crucial role in ensuring a church has enough financial resources to sustain its mission and growth.

Pastors and finance leaders must work closely together to plan for future ministry needs, ensuring that financial strategies support the church’s long-term vision. This collaboration helps the church avoid the common pitfalls of poor financial management and positions it for sustainable growth.

Partner in Building a Culture of Generosity and Stewardship

“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” — Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV)

A church thrives when its members understand the purpose of stewardship and generosity. This purpose is not to check a “requirement-met box” but an act of investment in kingdom growth. Together, the pastor and finance leader can build a church culture where financial health is connected to spiritual growth, encouraging the congregation to view their giving as part of their discipleship journey.

Working in partnership to model good stewardship and cast vision for how financial resources advance the Kingdom, pastors and finance leaders create an environment where money is used to serve, not dominate, the mission of the church.

 By embracing these principles, pastors and finance leaders can build a strong partnership that ensures the church’s resources are used effectively to fulfill its mission. Whether through prayerful financial discussions, transparent communication with donors, or long-term strategic planning, this collaboration strengthens the church’s financial health and empowers its ministry impact.

About Martus Solutions

Martus helps ministries bridge the gap between their mission and finances through collaborative budgeting. We integrate with your existing ERP or accounting system to provide real-time data and actionable insights so you can focus on what matters most: answering the call to serve. We’ve helped over 200 faith-based organizations transform their financial planning process and cut their budgeting time by 50% over traditional spreadsheets.

For Further Reading

How to Cultivate a Culture of Transparency in your Church

3 Things Jesus (Never) Said About Money, Wealth, and Possessions

Why Churches Should Leverage Teaching on Investing to NextGen as a Discipleship Opportunity

How to Cultivate a Culture of Transparency in your Church

Are you a pastor or church leader?

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity, Support our mission through giving.

Did you know?

Get Started with a Free Course Preview of Going Deeper in Stewardship!

The World's Most Famous Game

CSN — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 18:47:16 +0000

Guest Author: Tim Deatrick, D.Min., CAP, MortarStone

I was in elementary school when I played my first game of Monopoly. My family had gathered for Christmas, and I watched with eager anticipation as the game board was set up. My underdeveloped economic mind assumed the goal of the game was to gain the most cash possible; therefore I moved my token swiftly around the board collecting cash in favor of collecting properties. Needless to say, as family members acquired properties, gained monopolies, and added houses my exit from the game was swift. I can still remember the frustration of how my cash supply was no match for those who acquired and developed real estate.

Monopoly was first released in 1935 by Parker Brothers and over time became a worldwide phenomenon. What you may not realize is that Monopoly was adapted by a game developed in 1903 called The Landlord’s Game. The Landlord’s Game was invented by Elizabeth Magie Phillips and was designed to expose the evils of capitalism and monopolists such as J.P. Morgan, Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller. Its original intent was to teach Marxist economic policy and advocate for a one tax system to be levied only against real estate owners. She hoped to demonstrate that the winner achieved victory on the backs of the masses. What she didn’t count on was the fact that the masses wanted to be monopolists!*

Fast forward to 2024 and consider the plight of Millennials, Generation Z, and the Alpha Generation. For all intents and purposes, they aren’t significantly different from my own childhood experience. Yes, they will emerge from their learning years and transition into their earning years, but will they be able to achieve the financial security of their parents and grandparents?

For example, according to the National Realtors Association, the median age for a first time home buyer in 2023 was age 36. Only 38% of those under the age of 35 are home owners.The median net worth for a person under the age of 35 is $30,500. In 2022, the median house cost was $433,100. At the same time, median household income was $74,600, which is a 5.8 price to income ratio. That same ratio was half in 1985.

There are currently 43.2 million people who have student loan debt that averages $38,077 per person. Credit card debt is escalating among the rising generations, and credit scores have dropped 20 points for those with credit scores of at least 600.

So what does this mean? Like Monopoly, Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation hold about 74% of the privately held wealth in America while younger generations are struggling to move their pieces around the board.

But what about the $68 Trillion wealth transfer we keep hearing about? The wealth transfer will not necessarily level the playing field because half of that transfer is in the hands of 0.05% of

American wealth holders. The Federal Reserve reports that on average Americans currently inherit $46,200.

So what should we do?

First, it is important that we educate and disciple the older generations to create sustainability for our churches through giving current non-cash assets and end of life estate planning. Every church should be capitalizing on this opportunity to create passive revenue for the future by building an endowment to sustain the brick and mortar that their generation built. We must message the older generations with the language of legacy.

Second, it is imperative that we educate and disciple the younger generations in the areas of financial freedom, giving, and generosity. It is important to have conversations with them to understand their values and concerns with money. Since they are the Go Fund Me generation, we must share a clear and compelling message that shows direct impact and provide opportunities for them to give in ways that are consistent with the way they want to give.

Finally, we must understand our particular context through data insights. While it is tempting to intuit our givers individually and corporately, we can eliminate the guesswork and manage by insight, not intuition. Once we have clarity about our current reality, we can then begin to design strategies that connect with each generation.

This can be overwhelming, but the good news is that MortarStone is here to help. MortarStone provides the most comprehensive data analytics for congregational giving and giver development in America. To request a demo and free trial of MortarStone data analytics or to have a conversation about how to design a strategy that fuels current ministry and funds future sustainability contact us.

Tim Deatrick, D.Min., CAP, is the Director of Professional Services and Giver Engagement for MortarStone. To find out the latest about MortarStone, follow us on LinkedIn.

*Historical information on the game of Monopoly sourced from Monopoly: The World’s Greatest Game, by Philip Orbanes, DeCapo Press, 2006.

For Further Reading

3 Things Jesus (Never) Said About Money, Wealth, and Possessions

Why Churches Should Leverage Teaching on Investing to NextGen as a Discipleship Opportunity

3 Things Jesus (Never) Said About Money, Wealth, and Possessions

Are you a pastor or church leader?

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity, Support our mission through giving.

Did you know?

How to Cultivate a Culture of Transparency in Your Church

CSN — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Guest Author: Bill Cox , CEO and Founder, Martus Solutions

Cultivating a Culture of Transparency in the Church

In today’s world, where trust is seldom found, cultivating a culture of transparency is more important than ever to the mission of the church. Transparency is not just modern phraseology but a biblical principle that aligns with our responsibilities as stewards of God’s work. As we delve into this topic, we will explore why transparency matters, how it fosters trust, and how to practice it wisely within the church.

1. Understanding Transparency as a Stewardship Responsibility

Transparency is deeply rooted in the concept of stewardship. As leaders and members of the church, we are entrusted with resources, responsibilities, and the spiritual well-being of our congregation. This trust requires us to be transparent in our actions, decisions, and communications. However, transparency is not about revealing every detail but about fostering an attitude of openness and honesty. When we recognize that everything we do is under the watchful eye of God, it becomes clear that we have a moral and spiritual obligation to be transparent in our dealings.

2. The Goal of Transparency: Motivation Over Revelation

The goal is not to disclose every piece of information or to expose every aspect of church operations. Instead, the focus should be on cultivating an attitude of not concealing. This means being open about the church's mission, finances, decisions, and challenges. It’s about creating an environment where questions are welcomed, and answers are given openly and honestly. This approach not only builds trust but also reinforces the church’s commitment to integrity.

3. Building Trust Through Transparency

People recognize that transparency and trust are intrinsically linked. When a church practices transparency, it builds trust among its members and the community it serves. Trust, in turn, reduces the need for redundant disclosures because the congregation feels confident that the church is acting in their best interest. This creates a positive cycle where transparency begets trust, and trust fosters a healthy, open community.

4. Wisdom in Transparency: Balancing Openness with Context

While transparency is crucial, it must be practiced with wisdom. Transparency without context can lead to misunderstanding, discontent, and even division within the church. Therefore, it’s essential to provide the necessary context when sharing information. This ensures that the congregation understands the reasons behind decisions and can see the bigger picture. Transparent communication should always be coupled with the right context to maintain unity and avoid unnecessary conflict.

5. Accountability to God: The Ultimate Reason for Transparency

Finally, as Christians, we are accountable to God for our actions, including our commitment to transparency. Even if we choose not to be transparent, God knows the truth. This should be a sobering reminder that our ultimate accountability is not to the congregation but to God Himself. By embracing transparency, we honor our responsibility to God and reflect His truth in our leadership and stewardship.

Conclusion

Cultivating a culture of transparency within the church is not merely a strategy for better governance; it reflects our commitment to God and to each other. By fostering an attitude of openness, building trust, practicing wisdom, and remembering our accountability to God, we can create a church environment where transparency thrives, trust is strong, and the community is unified.

About Martus Solutions

For Further Reading

Why Churches Should Leverage Teaching on Investing to NextGen as a Discipleship Opportunity

Are you a pastor or church leader?

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity, Support our mission through giving.

Did you know?

3 Things Jesus (Never) Said About Money, Wealth, and Possessions

CSN — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000

You may have heard the statistic that Jesus spoke more about money and possessions than any other topic during His earthly ministry. While some debate the accuracy of this claim, it’s undeniable that Jesus had much to say on the subject.

1. Jesus Never Said That Wealthy People Can’t Enter Heaven

In Matthew 19, following His interaction with the Rich Young Ruler, Jesus reflects and says, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:23-26).

This passage reminds me of Ezekiel, where God speaks of removing the heart of stone and giving Israel a heart of flesh. Similarly, Paul talks about how we are circumcised not outwardly, but in our hearts, set apart for God’s glory. On our own, it is impossible to change the human heart. But by the power of God, we can overcome the deception of wealth and the enticements of this world that pull us away from our relationship with Him.

2. Jesus Never Said Wealth or Riches Are Bad

Many people view the story of the Rich Young Ruler as Jesus setting a standard for how believers should live. Jesus told the man that if he wanted to be ‘perfect,’ he should go and give all his possessions to the poor. While Jesus asked this man to part with his worldly wealth, it doesn’t mean that all believers must completely reject financial gain if and when it comes. This specific story highlights a personal struggle for the man, which is why he went away sad.

The Old Testament is saturated with righteous men of God blessed with wealth and riches. From Abraham, who was so wealthy that he had to part ways with his nephew, Lot, to Solomon, who had more wealth than anyone else recorded in history, where silver was considered worthless because it was so common (1 Kings 10:21). If God deemed riches evil, why would He bless His righteous people with financial wealth?

Jesus did not say that money, wealth, or possessions were bad. Instead, he said that the love of these things puts us at risk of wavering from our faith.

A few of Jesus’ statements include:

“And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (Mark 4:18-19).
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24).
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

Paul echoes this in 1 Timothy 6:10: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

3. Jesus Didn’t Say the Tithe Was Irrelevant

One of the most common debates related to the validity of modern-day tithing is the notion that it’s “Old Testament Law.” If this was an Old Testament practice of the Israelites, didn’t it go away, like animal sacrifices? While Jesus was vocal about the issue of money and possessions, he never specifically taught about giving a tithe. Many take this silence as irrelevancy. But when we take a closer look at what Jesus did say during his earthly ministry, we can get a good idea of his stance.

In Matthew 5, Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17-20).

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus elevates the expectations of Old Testament laws. For example, He extends adultery to not only the physical act but even the internal thought. Through this teaching, we see Jesus holds our hearts accountable, not just our physical actions.

Applying this mindset to the concept of tithing, we should not only follow the practice but also set our hearts on the Lord as an act of worship.

Jesus also says in Matthew 23: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!” (Matthew 23:23-24).

So What DID Jesus Say About Money, Wealth, and Possessions?

Jesus' teachings on money, wealth, and possessions point us to the Kingdom of God, which starkly contrasts our relationship with this world and our relationship with God. As he constantly tries to bring His people closer to the Father, his ultimate goal is to remove the barriers that would hinder us from that relationship. He consistently emphasized that our relationship with material things should be secondary to our relationship with God.

In summary, Jesus tells us:

Seek First the Kingdom of God

Jesus made it clear that the priority for His followers should be the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 6:33, He said, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." This teaching highlights that when we focus on God's Kingdom—His purposes, His righteousness—our material needs will be taken care of by God. It’s a call to trust in God's provision rather than being consumed by our desire for wealth and material gain.

Use Wealth Wisely for Eternal Purposes

In the parable of the shrewd manager (Luke 16:8-9), Jesus commended the manager for his shrewdness in using resources wisely, even though he had been dishonest. The lesson here is that Jesus encourages His followers to use worldly wealth in a way that has eternal significance. This could mean using our resources to bless others, to support the work of the Kingdom, and to build relationships that have lasting, eternal impact.

Wealth Is a Test of Faithfulness

Jesus also taught us that how we manage wealth is a test of our faithfulness. In Luke 16:10-11, He says, "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?" Here, Jesus is making it clear that our stewardship of material resources is indicative of our ability to handle greater spiritual responsibilities.

Do Not Worry About Material Needs

In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus encourages His followers not to worry about their material needs, such as food, drink, and clothing. He reminds them that God, who provides for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, will surely provide for His people. This teaching is a call to trust in God's provision and to live a life free from the anxiety that often accompanies the pursuit of wealth.

Conclusion

In summary, Jesus' teachings on money, wealth, and possessions challenge us to live with an eternal perspective. He didn't condemn wealth itself, but He warned against the dangers of loving money and allowing it to take precedence over our relationship with God. He called His followers to be faithful stewards of the resources they have, using them to further God's Kingdom and to bless others.

As we navigate our own relationship with money and possessions, we should continually ask ourselves: Are we seeking first the Kingdom of God? Are we using our resources in ways that honor Him? And are we trusting in His provision, or are we being swayed by the enticements of material wealth?

By aligning our hearts and actions with Jesus' teachings, we can live lives that reflect the values of the Kingdom of God, where true riches are found not in earthly wealth, but in our relationship with Him.

For Further Reading

Why Churches Should Leverage Teaching on Investing to NextGen as a Discipleship Opportunity

Why Churches Should Leverage Teaching on Investing to NextGen as a Discipleship Opportunity

Are you a pastor or church leader?

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity, Support our mission through giving.

3 Giving Conversations to Have with Members

CSN — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Guest Author: Vision2

This blog is a follow-up to the 3 Church Leadership Conversations on Giving as effective giving conversations are also crucial for the health of the church and its members.

Church leaders talk about financial matters all the time, and it is not uncommon for these conversations to be focused primarily on the progress toward your giving goals. For an effective financial stewardship strategy that starts at the top, expand your financial discussions to include the topics that affect your givers.

Giving Conversation #1: The Spiritual Benefits of Giving

Leaders know the connection between giving and discipleship. They know that learning to trust God with our money is a major component of our spiritual journey. But not all your members know this.

Churches would do well to discuss them holistically, with stewardship focusing on managing one’s time, talent and treasure, and generosity focusing on the heart and its willingness to help rather than simply on dollar amounts.

This means teaching that:

Obedient owners think of the tithe (10%) as the only part of the believer’s money that God cares about, but love-inspired stewards see everything they have as God’s and give him total authority over 100% of it.
Giving is between the individual and God, not the individual and the church. Giving to the church is not a membership fee. Tithes and offerings are given to God through the church. Not to the church to meet its “needs.”

Giving Conversation #2: The Importance of Stewardship

Stewardship refers to the responsible management of resources, including financial resources. Many churches offer courses on responsible financial management, but we’re seeing a growing interest around creating a specific program for their church to proactively include stewardship training as a core concept for assimilating new members and educating existing ones. It would include, of course, #1 above.

Giving Conversation #3: Transparency and Accountability About Gifts

It’s becoming common for people to express concern about financial transparency and call for greater accountability in churches and nonprofits. They want to know that their donations are being used responsibly.

This is not unreasonable considering public awareness of fraud, extravagant buildings and expenses, and some highly paid pastors. However, sometimes the pendulum swings unreasonably far to an extreme, and donors don’t want to support legitimate operational expenses. Instead, they want all their donations to go to mission recipients.

This gives churches both a responsibility and opportunity to show that the members themselves, and the community, are recipients of ministry resources, teaching, support, an environment to gather, worship and serve, and a staff to manage all of that…all of which are funded strictly by donors’ generosity.

Expanding your discussions with specific details on the results of member generosity is a good starting point for incorporating this transparency. We also recommend engaging members in the giving moment and through personalized acknowledgments that provide immediate insight into the impact of their gifts, delivering the desired accountability and even inspiring ongoing generosity.

About Vision2

Vision2 is the comprehensive giving and stewardship solution for churches. We partner with CSN because of our shared vision to equip ministry leaders to grow healthy churches. Contact us at letstalk@vision2.com to learn more about how Vision2 can support your stewardship and generosity goals.

For Further Reading

Are you a pastor or church leader?

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity, Support our mission through giving.

Browse our online resources

Why Churches Should Leverage Teaching on Investing to NexGen as a Discipleship Opportunity

CSN — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 23:38:07 +0000

Guest Author: Matt Bell, Sound Mind Investing

Like so many areas of life, the COVID-19 pandemic turned the investing world upside down. But not in the ways you might imagine.

Usually, when the stock market tanks, investors run for cover, often selling at the worst possible time (when their investments have lost value). Then they typically wait on the sidelines too long, too fearful to get back in even as the market recovers.

Not so with the COVID crowd. In the first quarter of 2020, as the dread disease started moving through the U.S. in earnest, initially there was a lot of fear-based selling. From mid-February of that year through mid-March, the U.S. stock market fell 34%. It had never fallen so far so fast.

But then something very unpredictable happened. The market rallied, finishing 2020 with a remarkable 21% gain. The next year, with COVID keeping kids home from school and people working from home, the market boomed, growing nearly 27%. A strange confluence of events propelled stocks higher.

Hello, Kitty 👋

Several social media influencers, including one who goes by the screen name “Roaring Kitty,” gained widespread publicity for live-streaming their day-trading. As the media frenzy grew, millions of people were drawn to the stock market for the first time, many certainly motivated by the lure of seemingly easy money.

And therein lies an opportunity for today’s churches.

There are, no doubt, many people attending our churches who are new to investing. Others who have been investing for some time are likely to have renewed interest in the topic, and perhaps some new questions.

If ever there was a need for good counsel in what is arguably the most complicated aspect of personal finance, that time is now. And if ever there was an institution especially well-positioned to provide that counsel, that institution is the church. The Bible has some very important guidance to offer that pertains to investing.

Remove the roadblocks

One reason churches may be hesitant to teach on this topic is a concern about how far they can go in giving investment advice. While churches definitely should not recommend specific investments, there is much to learn—and therefore, much the church could teach—before someone gets to the decision of what investments to make.

In fact, that’s one of the more important points to make in teaching about investing: Don’t focus too early on choosing what investments to make; instead, choose a trustworthy investing process and let it tell you what investments to make.

Broadly speaking, a biblical approach to investing is distinct in two ways: motives and methods.

Motives matter

God-honoring investing is all about glorifying God by providing for your family’s long-term needs and living generously. While retirement as our culture defines it has no basis in Scripture, the fact is that most of us will one day step out of the paid workforce. Oftentimes, that’s due to health issues or a change at work. It’s simply wise stewardship to build a nest egg that will help cover our family’s later life needs. As the Bible says, “Whoever does not provide for their relatives, and especially their immediate family, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8).

As far as generosity goes, giving after your salary days are over can be fueled from your investment account. Steadily contributing to an IRA or 401(k) plan account throughout one’s career can lead to a significant account balance at retirement, which, in addition to helping you provide for your family, can provide ample opportunities for generosity: “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11).

Methods matter

Chief among the various biblical principles that apply to building an investment portfolio are diversification and taking the long view. Ecclesiastes 11:2 counsels, “But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead” (NLT). In a culture filled with headlines about this hot stock and that, diversification feels increasingly counter-cultural. And yet, it has stood the test of time as the wisest approach to investing.

The same can be said about Proverbs 21:5 (TLB): “Steady plodding brings prosperity; hasty speculation brings poverty.” On any given day, the stock market has about a 50% chance of increasing in value. However, the longer the time horizon, the more the odds move in an investor’s favor. In fact, over every 20-year period since 1926, the stock market has generated a gain.

Even faithful Christians can be tempted by headlines promising quick riches. Now more than ever, God’s people need to hear from their churches about how to invest in God-honoring ways.

Matt Bell is managing editor at Sound Mind Investing, a Christian company that helps Christians invest well. The company was founded over 30 years ago by Austin Pryor, prompted by his friend, Larry Burkett, who said Christians need a source of trustworthy, biblical counsel for their investing. The company’s four-session video based resource, Multiply: A Biblical Guide to Investing, is designed for use in a small group or workshop setting. The videos are available for free through RightNow Media or for purchase at this link.

For Further Reading

How to Use “Thank You” as a Powerful Opportunity to Connect with Givers

Are you a pastor or church leader?

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity, Support our mission through giving.

Browse our online resources

Diagnosing the Health of Church Giving

CSN — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 12:02:46 +0000

Guest Author: Tim Deatrick, D.Min., CAP, Director of Giver Engagement at MortarStone

Imagine you begin to exhibit health concerns. You present various symptoms that give rise to concern. One response you could make would be to consult the information superhighway, which will give a broad range of possible illnesses from one end of the spectrum to the other. Another response would be to consult a physician. You make the appointment and arrive on time, carefully sharing an accurate description of what you have been experiencing.

The doctor wisely orders several tests in an attempt to identify the problem. You’re not interested in guesswork; you want hard data, which is what medical tests provide. After all, data always precedes diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is made, then a treatment plan is formulated to restore your physical health.

In my experience, most people have an intuitive hunch that something is wrong. Yes, there are those who have devastating and even fatal diseases at work without their knowledge. But, most of the time we know. What we do with that intuition can be the difference between life and death. Some may shrug it off, propping themselves up with the idea that it's probably nothing and will eventually sort itself. Others, however, are proactive and determined to live according to the truth, however frightening it may be.

Let’s translate this metaphor into the realm of stewardship and generosity.

As a church leader, you are tasked with keeping a finger on the pulse of giving and the discipleship of your givers. But, how you feel about your church’s giving can be biased and even dismissed. It’s easy to get lulled into the allure of “up and to the right”. As long as the end result is tolerable, you can keep moving forward.

But, data doesn’t lie.

What you feel about your church’s giving may not equal what is really taking place in that particular aspect of your giver’s spiritual formation. For example, you may have a top giver that gives $100,000 per year. That’s great, right? But, what if that giver earns $10 million per year?

The data doesn’t lie. We can either ignore it at our own peril, or we can embrace it and begin to develop a treatment plan.

The 2023 MortarStone Generosity Report is equivalent to the testing that a doctor might order for a patient. Empirical data, unlike survey results, is what it is. It’s truthful, like a five year old with no filter. Data is also agnostic. It doesn’t choose sides or have an agenda. It’s honest and without opinion.

The test results are in, and what we see from the results give cause for concern.

Inflation has negated our budgetary growth. Generations born before 1980 are in double-digit decline. It will take 10 Generation Z givers to replace one Baby Boomer. For every new giver we add, we lose one. Churches are increasingly dependent on those born before 1964, and 20% of our giving comes from the top 1% of our givers. Those aren’t opinions. Those are our givers. For some churches, those symptoms are strong. For others, they may not be visible.

Yet…

I believe the answer is not a campaign. There are no quick fixes, especially when the diagnosis is concerning. The answer lies in a discipleship strategy that is led and embraced by Senior Leadership and Church Governance. Like the U.S. President, the Pastor is the pacesetter for delivering a clear and compelling vision for the future. As Commander in Chief, the President is also responsible for anticipating and addressing any challenging threats on the horizon, but they cannot do it alone. As a member of the Cabinet and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, you have a responsibility to provide the best information and data possible to those positioned in leadership and advise them accordingly. You don’t have to be an alarmist, but you have been tasked to be a problem solver, armed with data, to help the one who holds the compass.

This responsibility involves the courage to face the truth, and the creativity to recommend solutions to fuel the current mission and fund future sustainability.

MortarStone is here to help in any way possible. We are “from the pew and for the people.” We’d love to offer a free 30 minute conversation to help you assess your particular context in light of the data. For more information on how MortarStone can help, visit mortarstone.com. To keep up with the most current research and our webinars, follow MortarStone on LinkedIn.

. . .

For Further Reading

How to Use “Thank You” as a Powerful Opportunity to Connect with Givers

When God Provides a Surplus, it’s Always for a Purpose

Are you a pastor or church leader?

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity, Support our mission through giving.

Browse our online resources

How Do I Grow Generosity at My Church?

CSN — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 11:51:20 +0000

Church giving can be an uncomfortable topic, but funding is essential to your church's function. There are many hurdles to overcome, but with the right approach, you can help your congregation grow and become better givers.

How Do I Grow Generosity at My Church?

1. Address the Discomfort

To make a change, you must first acknowledge the elephant in the room; some people are uncomfortable or unwilling to give. Help them understand the Biblical perspective on giving and the attitudes that should motivate it. Equally important, show them your church can be trusted to steward their gifts by modeling good stewardship and generosity as a church.

Extra Resource: Reasons you people aren’t giving and what you can do about it.

2. Have a clear theology of money and stewardship… preach it and teach it.

There are a few reasons why people don't give. For some, it's a distrust of The Church. Some feel that tithing and giving are Old Testament laws no longer relevant to Christians today. Due to poor money management, others can't maintain their financial obligations and give. As much as your people may want to give and express generosity, some may be unable to. This is why a Stewardship & Generosity Ministry is such an essential aspect of the discipleship of your congregation. By meeting your congregation where they are and teaching them God's financial principles, you can help them develop a practical and biblically-based understanding of money.

Stewardship is not primarily about funding the church. It's first about lordship and the posture of our heart toward God. When people understand their roles as stewards, giving to fund God's work will become a natural outflow of faithfully managing their money.

3. Be Clear in Your Giving Message and Giver Communication

Giving to the church, especially tithing, is a spiritual expression of one's faith in God, and it's crucial that your congregation is discipled to know and understand this. Acknowledging their gift and encouraging them through God's word is important because it helps them understand the purpose of giving.

Many churches miss a discipleship opportunity by not crafting an intentional message to thank people for their gifts. A simple video link with a 2-3 minute video for first-time givers is an easy and effective way to show that your church cares, is grateful, and wants them to grow closer to the Lord.

For those who give regularly, reminding them of the spiritual significance of their gift helps them remember that generosity is an important aspect of their lives and enables them not to become complacent in their giving.

4. A Stewardship Ministry can help change your church's culture of giving and generosity.

Having a generous church is possible but highly unlikely without a ministry dedicated to discipling and equipping its members in biblical stewardship and generosity. The Christian Stewardship Network is dedicated to helping churches understand and teach biblical stewardship and generosity. Whether you’re brand new to stewardship or a long-time practitioner, let our network partner with you. We’ve curated and created content designed to equip churches of all sizes in growing healthy stewardship ministries. Check out our library of online courses and resources.

. . .

For Further Reading

How to Use “Thank You” as a Powerful Opportunity to Connect with Givers

When God Provides a Surplus, it’s Always for a Purpose

Marriage and Money

Are you a pastor or church leader?

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity, Support our mission through giving.

Check out these online courses:

3 Church Leadership Conversations on Giving

CSN — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 15:26:25 +0000

Guest Author: Vision2

Giving Conversation #1:

The Need for Transparency and Accountability About Church Spending Decisions

More and more people have a heightened sensitivity to excess and fraud in charitable organizations. So, the church’s annual report should cover income, expenses and assets in an easily accessible format for members.

It’s also a good idea to:

Host regular open meetings (with access to minutes for those who can’t attend) so members can ask questions and learn details on the church’s activities and decisions
Appoint independent auditors to review financial records
Issue background checks on staff and volunteers annually
Use secure giving software with an audit trail feature to prevent fraud
Have a policy in place to allow concerns to be reported without fear of retribution

Giving Conversation #2:

The Health of Giving Trends

In the 2023 Annual Stewardship Survey, 59% of small and 76% of large churches report being on track to meet or exceed their annual giving goals. While these numbers are encouraging, progress toward the annual giving goal alone is not a good indicator of healthy giving. A few metrics that better determine “health” include:

Percentage of households giving- Focus on household over individual metrics; it is a more reliable measure of giving trends.
Frequency of household giving- Categorized across irregular, regular, recurring, etc., frequency is a better measure of overall giving trends than giving amount.
Age of household members- If most of your consistent givers are older, plan ahead as they will eventually age out.
Percentage of top donors- 10% is a healthy percentage of top-giver contributions.

Be sure to measure your digital attendees as well. In the post-Covid world of declining in-person attendance, overlooking digital attendees can result in overlooking essential trends.

Giving Conversation #3:

The Role of Technology in Giving

It’s great that more and more churches recognize the need to make giving convenient and accessible for church members via online giving, mobile giving apps and text-to-give. Unfortunately, most platforms fail to demonstrate impact or engage givers with their “payment” based experience.

Consider that 64% of people say they would give more if they knew the impact of their gifts (Source: Fidelity Charity). This stat, plus the fact that religion’s overall share of giving is declining while it is increasing across non-profit sectors points to the importance of demonstrating the impact of generosity even during the act of giving (something most non-profits do very well).

For every gift given – at the moment of giving and through your acknowledgment – be sure your giving platform demonstrates the excellent work your church is doing for your members, community, and world.

Watch for our next blog that dives into the giving conversations with your members.

About Vision2

For Further Reading

How to Use “Thank You” as a Powerful Opportunity to Connect with Givers

When God Provides a Surplus, it’s Always for a Purpose

Marriage and Money

Engaging Givers from First Gift to Lapsed or Legacy

. . .

Are you a pastor or church leader?

Become a member of our network to access our entire library of online courses, participate in monthly network calls, and more!

CSN is a a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Help us reach more churches with the message of stewardship and generosity, Support our mission through giving.

Did you know?

Stewarding your Calling and Purpose

CSN — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 14:11:59 +0000

Paul begins his letter to the Romans by stating that he is a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God. He also adds "by the will of God" in most of his other letters to affirm the purpose of his calling to preach the gospel to Jews and Gentiles, something Paul never doubted. So sure was he of his calling and purpose that he gave up his freedom and eventually his life to pursue and fulfill it.

At least for me, the beginning of a new year feels like renewal. It's like I've been given another opportunity to start over. As I've reflected on this new opportunity, purpose, and what I've been called to pursue, it brought me to the question: Am I living out this calling? Am I fulfilling God's purpose for my life?

The apostle Paul's conversion and calling were dramatic. Having Jesus physically appear to you and call you into a new mission would be unforgettable and very convincing. But we need to remember that this wasn't a pleasant encounter for Paul. Being confronted by the Son of God for persecuting his followers left him without his vision and unable to eat or drink for three days. I am glad not to have been called in such a dramatic fashion, but regardless, I am called, as are you, if you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

What is your calling and purpose?

Depending on who you listen to, the percentage of Christians who say they know their purpose is between eleven and forty percent. I'm not sure how accurate that is; what I know is that I had many conversations over my years as a pastor with individuals who struggled to know their calling and life purpose. The reason for this confusion may very well be due to a lack of understanding of what each of these means. First, let's define the difference between calling and purpose because they are not the same thing. Purpose has to do with the reason something exists or was created. God created you, and the reason you exist is to glorify Him. Everyone's purpose is the same: to glorify God.

"For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen." (Romans 11:36 NLT)

Calling is God's invitation to you to participate in a specific way to bring him glory. This is a stewardship opportunity that all of us are entrusted with. It will involve different roles and responsibilities, which may change in various seasons of your life. One thing is sure: every person whom God creates is called.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV)

You may be a manager in one season and a missionary in the next. Regardless of what you do and your roles and responsibilities, your purpose is always to glorify God. Each of these opportunities are God-given callings to fulfill that purpose.

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

We will face opposition as we carry out our calling.

Do you remember why Satan sinned? Ezekiel 28 reveals that Satan's downfall came because of his pride. God had anointed Satan as a guardian cherub, the "inner circle" of angels, who had the closest access to God and guarded his holiness. He is described as the model of perfection, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty, and that beauty caused him to seek worship for himself and to rebel against God.

Satan opposes God and everything he's created and tries to obstruct God's plan. After his fall, Satan succeeded in getting Eve and then Adam to join his rebellion, and he's been trying to do the same to every person since. The Bible tells us, "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8 NIV)

There are major problems in the world today, and their impact is felt by most. Difficulties, hardships, and opposition come in many forms, but we must never lose sight of their true origin.

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12 ESV)

People are not the enemy. It's not a co-worker, a political party, or the person in the Oval Office that's the opposition and the source of your hardships. It's the devil and all the spiritual forces of evil that oppose God, who are trying to obstruct his plan and keep you from living your purpose.

We steward our calling through faith.

Although we wrestle against rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places, we don't do it alone, and certainly not by our own strength. This is a spiritual battle we must engage and win by faith.

Before ascending to the Father, Jesus promised His followers, "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Counsellor, Advocate) to be with you forever; the Spirit of Truth… You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you… He will teach you all things" (John 14:16-17, 26 ESV)

The Holy Spirit came to indwell and empower the disciples and all believers. This Spirit is the most powerful force in the universe. He lives in us and gives us knowledge so that we can have the mind of Christ, and by his power, we can oppose every work of the enemy.

We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5 AMP)

Don't let yourself get caught up in the physical world and miss out on what God wants to do in and through you. Your purpose is to glorify Him, and He's calling you to bear fruit where he's planted you. Receive by faith all Jesus has done for you, and be confident that His Spirit is with you, empowering you to fight and win every battle and accomplish your purpose.

For Further Reading