As we face a time of inflation, generosity is a sure-fire way to hedge against it. 

Pastors, we know when we give back to God a portion of what He has blessed us with, we are affirming our trust in Him. He is faithful to provide for us, and through our generosity, we can be assured that He will continue to do so during these uncertain times. Your church people need to hear from you during a time when attaining necessities may be a struggle.

Lead The Way

As pastors, we must lead the way in generosity. This is when people struggle to make ends meet, and we need to be there for them. We must put our faith into practice and give more generously to those in our community who are in need. This is the time to show our people that we trust God to provide for us. He is faithful to do so, and through our faithfulness in tithes and offerings, we proclaim that we trust Him as our provider. 

People are looking to us as spiritual leaders during these uncertain times. We must set the example and be generous with what God has blessed us with. When we do, we can make a real difference in the lives of those around us. 

As in all leadership, as pastors or church leaders, we must model generosity through being faithful in tithes and offerings. Practice it. God's Kingdom principles are typically contrary to the culture, and this time of inflation is no different. The world is saving up, hoarding, and not giving as much. 

God's plan is simple–love gives. 

God the Father led the way, "God loved the world so much that He gave..." (John 3:16 NLT). As a pastor, lead your church to be more like God during this time. In doing so, you’re speaking loudly that He is our provider regardless of what inflation does. 

Teaching and helping your church to practice being more like the Father, giving generously to needs, and being faithful in tithe are  integral parts of keeping your church moving forward in its vision and mission. Just because the economy changed does not change the mission of Jesus. God's economic plan is not based on the world's economy. Jesus said: "Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back." (Luke 6:38 NLT)

The Benefits of Building a Culture of Generosity

Nothing is more attractive to the community, to people who are not a part of a church, than to hear about a church being generous. 

This current economy is the perfect time to reach the unchurched with a radical gift to a need in the community, outside the walls of the Church. The world is watching and waiting for you as a church to ask for money to get through these challenging times. Imagine how curious they become when they hear from your attendees that you are focusing on giving to a need that is not self-serving in a moment like this.

Let's face it. If any of us are looking or thinking about finding a church to attend, we are much more attracted to a generous church than to one that appears to be self-serving. This is really about speaking and living in vision. Keep the eyes of your people on continuing to live in the character of the Father. Guard against becoming inward thinking. This will bring life, unity, and passion to your Church. 

When you challenge your people to give, that simple step will raise the level of unity and make your congregation happier. Giving is pleasurable. It lifts us. And when we feel good inside, life takes on new meaning. 

A Quick Warning

Whenever you talk about generosity for individuals and when you challenge your church, always be mindful of those who may be sitting in your congregation who are in great need. It's simple to do as you cast the vision of generosity. Acknowledge that some may be in a crisis and in need of help and that all of us at one time or another need help from others. You may even want to say,  “Please give us the honor of doing what we can during this time to serve you.” 

As pastors and church leaders, we underestimate how much our people have to contribute in times of need and the extent to which they require encouragement and challenge in their tithes and offerings. We also neglect those who sit in our seats every week but quietly endure difficulties. Their lives can be transformed by being willing to be ministered to. We tend to underestimate how much Jesus wants to flow His Kingdom resources through faithful people.

This is an opportunity for the Church to be Jesus' hands and feet, giving with extreme generosity and watching God work! We are always more blessed when we give: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Jesus' words in Acts 20:35, NLT) 

Think about it: the more you and your church live in radical generosity, the more blessed you will be.

7 Benefits of Giving in Times of Inflation  

Other benefits of radical generosity include:

1. A sense of joy as you give to others.

When you give to others, you experience a sense of joy. This is because you are obeying God's command to love others as yourself. You also fulfill the purpose for which God created you—to be a blessing to others. You will find true happiness when you focus on others instead of yourself.

2. A sense of hope as you look to the future, knowing God will provide.

One of the great benefits of living in generosity is that it gives us hope for the future. When we trust God to provide for us, we can confidently face any challenge that comes our way. Moreover, we know that no matter what happens, God will never leave or forsake us.

3. One of the great benefits of living in generosity is that it gives us a more profound sense of connection with other believers. 

When we give to others, we build relationships with them and show them that we care about them. We also fulfill the commandment Jesus gave us to love others as ourselves. We will find true happiness when we focus on others instead of ourselves.

4. When we live in generosity, we have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with those who are not yet believers. 

We can do this by reaching out to them with compassion and kindness and telling them about the amazing things that Jesus has done for us. Then, when they see how Jesus has changed our lives, they may be interested in learning more about Him.

5. When we live in generosity, we have the opportunity to worship God more fully. 

We can do this by thanking Him for His goodness and providing for us. We can also thank Him for allowing us to be His hands and feet and to help others. Finally, we can also worship God by giving Him our best. When we give sacrificially, we tell Him that we love Him more than anything else.

6. When we live in generosity, it will increase our faith.

We will see God work in unique ways through our giving, increasing our faith in Him. We will also know that He is faithful to provide for us, no matter what happens. This will help us to trust Him more fully.

7. When we live in generosity, it will bring blessing to our lives.

We will be financially, emotionally, and spiritually blessed when we give to others. God will pour out His blessings on us when we obey His commands to give generously.

This is the best time to begin casting a vision for your church to give. First, start with some small needs and put them out there. Then, begin challenging your people that during these hard economic times, you will help lead them in hedging against inflation by taking on the Father's character and giving. You will be surprised at how many opportunities God provides for your community during this time as you cast this vision. 

Teach  the Difference Between "Tithe" and "Offering"

To help your church grow and mature in its spiritual journey as you become a more generous church during this season, be clear about the difference between tithe and offerings. 

Unfortunately, in the Church, we often lump those two together as one. As a result, our people can quickly lose the differentiation between the two–and lose out on the unbelievable blessings God connects to them. 

Be Clear:

• A tithe is 10% of your income. 

An offering is any amount you give in addition to your tithe, such as gifts for special needs, projects, etc. Tithing is God's minimum standard, the starting point. As God prospers you, you'll want to give more. He is looking for those He can trust to funnel His provision through to meet needs and give Him glory.

• Refusing to tithe is stealing from God.

If your people don't tithe, do they realize they are cheating God? "Should people cheat 

God? Yet you have cheated me! "But you ask, 'What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?' "You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! "(Malachi 3:8–10, NLT). Download a FREE PDF handout from One Voice Ministries for your church explaining the Tithe. 

• Generosity is important for spiritual growth personally and as a church.

Set the vision that as a church and as individuals, the vision during this season is to excel in generosity: "Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your

knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving." (2 Corinthians 8:7, NLT)

Jesus told us to store our treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). He went on to say that 

"Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be" (Matthew 6:21, NLT). 

Pastors, this is the time to lead your people in such a way that their hearts are with Jesus. Lead them, help them to do this by putting their treasure there also. As they give more generously to the Church's work and other needs, their hearts will be set on things above and not on earthly things.

Church, it is time to be clear about the vision for this season. We are in a time when we need to hedge against inflation, and the most effective way we can do that is by obeying God's commands to give generously. This includes tithing (giving 10% of your income) and offerings (any amount over and above your tithe). When we do this, God promises to pour out blessings on us so great that we won't have room to take them in!  

Let's cast a vision together for our Church to become a more generous people during these challenging times.

To download the first three chapters of Lord of the Fries–Jeff’s book on God’s financial system and strategy for your life–click here. Or download a free teaching series on Lord of the Fries here.