In the first article of this series, we named a hard truth: many churches aren’t facing a generosity problem as much as they’re facing a discipleship problem. Giving stagnates when people are unsure how to handle their own finances or question whether their church handles money wisely, transparently, and biblically.
Before churches can talk about how to increase giving in church, they must address the relational and spiritual foundation beneath every act of generosity.
In this article, we’ll dive into a solution that’s rooted not in pressure or persuasive tactics, but in trust, vulnerability, clarity, and discipleship.
It begins where Jesus began: the human heart.
Returning to Jesus’ Way of Talking About Money
If you want to understand how to increase giving in church, you have to look at how Jesus approached the subject.
Jesus talked about money constantly, more than almost any other topic! Not because He was trying to get something from people, but because He wanted something for them.
Money represents work, time, desire, identity, priorities, and worship. It’s deeply connected to spiritual formation.
Jesus emphasized stewardship, contentment, avoiding greed, and understanding the power money has over our lives. He didn’t merely lay out financial principles; He shaped hearts. And when churches reclaim this posture, when we teach about money as discipleship rather than obligation, we lay the groundwork for trust-based generosity.
This is one of the most overlooked answers to how to increase giving in church: talk about money regularly, openly, and pastorally, the way Jesus did.
Trust Starts With Vulnerability
Even with a biblical foundation, money talks can be intimidating. Maybe you fear being misunderstood, accused of ulterior motives, or labeled “the church that only talks about money.” Here’s the truth:
Trust is built through vulnerability.
If your church family doesn’t trust the church with money, the most powerful starting point is honesty. Imagine if you opened a giving conversation by saying:
“Talking about money isn’t easy for me. I know it can feel uncomfortable. But I’m not talking about this to get something from you. I’m talking about it because Jesus cared deeply about this area of life, and I want to help you find freedom.”
That single posture shift changes the entire atmosphere. Vulnerability disarms defensiveness. It aligns the pastor with the congregation instead of separating him or her out. It reframes giving as something that benefits the giver, not just the budget.
It provides one of the clearest pathways for how to increase giving in church: rebuild trust by telling the truth about why giving matters spiritually.
Boldness Over Apology
conversations about givingMany pastors hesitate, whisper, or apologize their way through giving conversations. But the truth is, generosity rarely grows where leadership lacks confidence.
Boldness doesn’t mean harshness. It means clarity. It means teaching what Scripture teaches without shrinking back. It’s helping people see that giving is not about institutional maintenance; it’s about heart transformation that leads to community transformation. When you lead with conviction, your people follow with confidence.
If you’re exploring how to increase giving in church, bold and consistent teaching is essential.
A once-a-year sermon won’t shape a culture of generosity.
Think about it this way: A once-a-month rhythm, like the frequency Jesus used, would barely keep pace with how often the world is discipling your congregation financially.
Shared Voices Build Shared Trust
Another key element in solving the trust gap is diversifying who speaks about money. Lead pastors don’t need to shoulder the entire conversation themselves. In fact, one of the most practical ways to increase trust (and, ultimately, how to increase giving in church) is to bring trusted lay leaders into the conversation: a board member, finance committee leader, or a business owner in the congregation.
When these voices share why they give, what they see behind the scenes, and how the church stewards resources with integrity, the impact is immediate.
People trust transparency, and they trust peers. Shared voices create shared ownership, and shared ownership creates generosity.
Equipping People for Everyday Stewardship
Finally, if you want to understand how to increase giving in church, you have to help people manage the other 99% of their financial lives.
Sermons matter, but practical equipping transforms behavior.
Budgeting tools, workshops, stewardship classes, and financial discipleship resources all help people gain confidence with money. Generous people are almost always equipped people.
Resources like Generosity University exist for this very reason: to give churches a turnkey way to help their people build financial health and biblical understanding.
When people experience clarity, freedom, and competence with their finances, they naturally grow in their willingness to give.
Rebuilding Trust Leads to Rebuilding Giving
If your church is wrestling with how to increase giving in church, the solution isn’t transactional. It’s relational and spiritual.
Return to Jesus’ model. Lead with vulnerability. Speak with clarity. Share the microphone. Equip people for real-life stewardship.
In the next article, we’ll show you what this looks like in real life through a church that is living this out and seeing generosity flourish.