Effective preaching is critical to increasing generosity in your church. In an effort to help provide pastors insights into how to better talk about money, I turned to the greatest leadership book ever written – the Bible. In 1 Chronicles 28-29, King David stands before the nation of Israel and calls them to sacrifice for the construction of Solomon’s Temple.
As I read the text, I gleaned the following 10 Practices Of Pastors Who Effectively Preach About Money And Generosity from these two chapters. First is the lesson followed by the supporting text:
- Pastors Who Successfully Talk About Money And Generosity Talk To Their Leaders First – 28:1 – “Now David assembled at Jerusalem all the leaders of Israel, the officers of the tribes and the captains of the divisions who served the king, the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officials, the valiant men, and all the mighty men of valor.” You can’t leapfrog leaders. Nothing offends leaders more than hearing important information the same time as the rank and file.
- Pastors Who Successfully Talk About Money And Generosity Talk To The Congregation Second – 28:2 – “King David rose to his feet and said, ‘Hear me my brethren and my people”. When asking for financial resources, go to the people only after the leaders have been informed and are bought in.
- Pastors Who Successfully Talk About Money And Generosity Use Passion To Speak To People’s Hearts –28:2 – “I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God.” King David was personally invested and was able to translate his commitment to the people.
- Pastors Who Successfully Talk About Money And Generosity Use Facts To Speak to People’s Minds – 28:2 – “and had made preparations to build it.” Financial leaders, in particular, want to know the project has been well thought-through and is doable. King David communicated he had a plan.
- Pastors Who Successfully Talk About Money And Generosity Point To A Brighter Tomorrow– 28:7 – “‘I will establish his kingdom forever, if he is steadfast to observe My commandments and My judgments, as it is this day.'” King David gave his people hope and courage that they could move into a preferred future.
- Pastors Who Successfully Talk About Money And Generosity Give Clear, Detailed Instructions – 28:8 – “‘Be careful to seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave itas an inheritance for your children after you forever.'” ” The phrase “here is what I want you to do” is powerful. You must provide easy next steps for your people.
- Pastors Who Successfully Talk About Money And Generosity Give The Audience The Tools And Resources Needed For Success – 28:21 – “Here arethe divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and every willing craftsman will be with you for all manner of workmanship, for every kind of service; also the leaders and all the people will be completely at your command.” People must want to help fund your ministry and must also be able to help fund your ministry. Give them the needed tools, specifically personal financial coaching and online giving options, to do so.
- Pastors Who Successfully Talk About Money And Generosity Focus To God – 29:1 – “The temple isnot for man but for the Lord God.” This is the difference between a spiritual journey and a fundraiser. A fundraiser focuses on money or the project. A spiritual journey focuses on attaching people to the heart of God and watching them respond appropriately.
- Pastors Who Successfully Talk About Money And Generosity Ask For Great Commitment– 29:20 – “David said to all the assembly, ‘Now bless the Lord your God.” So all the assembly blessed the Lord God of their fathers, and bowed their heads and prostrated themselves before the Lord and the king.”‘ A passive request yields a passive response. Successful pastors make compelling asks of their people.
- Pastors Who Successfully Talk About Money And Generosity Leave A Great Legacy Of Generosity For Others To Follow – 29:26-28 – “David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. And the period that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years he reigned in Hebron, and thirty-three years he reigned in Jerusalem. So he died in a good old age, full of days and riches and honor.” What legacy of generosity are you leaving?
I trust this information will help you next time you preach about money and generosity.
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