How to Talk about Money

Money: It’s one of the topics that causes your congregation to break eye contact and shuffle in their seats. But in order to pay for the basics of your mortgage or lease, as well as fund ministries and pay for staff, your church must have the finances to do so. On top of that, any significant giving to world missions or community action will require giving above and beyond the regular budget.

It seems, though, that many pastors are skipping the money talk all together. Some from fear of driving away potential members who are sick of hearing high-pressured talks about giving. Others simply aren’t sure how to approach it. Rather than dig into a complicated subject, they avoid it all together. But money is not something you can or should ignore.

It’s been said that Jesus talked more about money than Heaven. But when Jesus talked about giving, he always connected it to the Kingdom of Heaven. How we use our money is a matter of spiritual growth (Matthew 6:2-4, 19-21). Giving is a major component to the discipleship of every Christ follower. A pastor who ignores this subject is missing out on a huge opportunity to see growth in the lives of their people.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you talk about money. Remember, your audience is as nervous as you are when it comes to this subject matter. Although finances are really a serious topic, it can be handled as easily as a kid’s game when done with the right heart.

Show and Tell

Rather than just asking for money, show your audience why it’s important for them to give. An annual business meeting doesn’t have to be just about line items and budget codes. It can be a time to share testimonies about how last year’s giving has changed lives.

Tie your church’s giving to stories. When asking for funds for a specific project, tell a story about its importance. For instance, if you want to help out a local woman’s shelter, have someone give a testimony about how their work has changed their lives. When it comes time to give to missions, provide plenty of stories from the missionaries you support. People love to hear stories of life change, and it always adds motivation for cheerful giving.

Connect the Dots

Connect your budget to the mission of the church. Sure, a certain level of giving is needed to cover your basic operating budget. But rather than showing how each dollar can be used to keep a light on, show how the church is a beacon of light to a dark world.

Your mission should already be motivating your audience to move in amazing ways. Whether it’s a place of service on Sunday, personal evangelism on Monday or volunteering in the community throughout the week, your members are already on task for the Kingdom. Connecting giving to that mission only gives them yet another way to live it out on a daily basis.

Follow the Leader

Talking about money begins with a lifestyle of giving. Any influential leader should be willing to be held accountable for their financial contribution to the church. And the staff should be willing to be transparent about how they are handling those contributions.

Before your members give, they must first trust. If there are past questions of impropriety or mishandling of funds, there is an immediate roadblock that must be overcome. But a church that is well run, financially sound and shows stewardship cultivates a culture of trust.

When you speak about giving, speak with vision. Never ask in desperation, but in preparation. Instead of displaying a dire picture of what would happen if the budget isn’t met this quarter, give a hopeful outlook of how your members’ funds are creating new opportunities for people to come to Jesus.

In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Paul gives us some clear guidelines on how we should personally respond to the call to give. He tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. In the same way, we should be asking with cheerful hearts. That means we are thankful for every dollar and dime that comes in, and we show that gratitude. Make it a point to regularly thank your members for their donations, not just generally on Sunday morning but often and intentionally. Call your top donors on the phone, thanking them for their generosity. Single out regular tithers with a letter of recognition. Or, better yet, provide a yearly banquet to show your gratitude for their support throughout the year.

When you talk about money from a cheerful heart of gratitude, your audience will pick up on it and respond. Consider increasing the number of times you talk about giving this year, not for the benefit of the church budget, but for the spiritual growth of your members.