Several pastors have complained to me that most people in their churches are not generous. I’m guessing that the churches are a reflection of its leaders. If our ministries aren’t generous, it is probably because we aren’t either.
Several years ago, God started moving our family toward a much more intentional life of generosity. Not surprisingly, our church has followed.
Dave Ramsey is one of the best Christian financial teachers in the world. For years, we’ve embraced his teaching faithfully. Dave has always encouraged people to “live like no one else, so one day you can live like no one else.” In other words, if you sacrifice, live beneath your means, save and invest, one day you’ll have the freedom to do far more than most.
In our family, we’ve altered the phrase slightly (and I’m certain Dave would be supportive).
We will live like no one else, so we can give like no one else.
As God blesses us with more, instead of drastically increasing our standard of living, we’ve decided to drastically increase our standard of giving.
Why stop at giving 10%, 12%, 30% or 50%? Because God has given us more, we believe we’re called to give more. And as we, as leaders, give more, our churches will reflect God’s heart of generosity.
Open Idea: How different would the life of your church look if you started doing more with less? Generosity requires a great deal of faith, but it’s also contagious. Pray for God to show you areas in your ministry where you’re doing less with more, and ways you can lead your church in giving.
