Generosity Teaching
HELPFUL RESOURCES & IDEAS for building a Generous Culture
This page is here to provide you with some helpful ideas and resources as you continue to build a culture of generosity at your corps. Some are training videos which could be used individually or in a group.
Unleashing generosity will transform lives. It helps us to live a life which puts God first in all things and to trust God as our provider. Matthew 3 is a chapter which reminds us what happens when we put our trust in God for what we need and not to worry and see ourselves or others as our provider.
Over 2350 verses in the Bible refer to money and possessions. Other than the Kingdom of God it is the most mentioned topic. Consider the Parables Jesus told and make a note of how many refer to this topic. We are in danger of not puting our trust in God but seeing ourselves or our employer or even the government as our provider - but they aren't. God may use them but it doesn't come from them because GOD is the PROVIDER of all things.
Take a moment to check out these resources. If you would like to talk to someone from the Generous Culture team please email generous.culture@salvationarmy.org.au and someone will get back to you.
A quick helpful document with some easy suggestions on building the foundation of GENEROSITY and unleashing generosity throughout 2022.
STEWARDSHIP.ORG.UK has great resources and ideas. Here's an example:
https://www.stewardship.org.uk/resources/simply-generous---10-simple-stories-to-inspire-your-giving
MONEY OR MAKER
This is a great resource focusing on Stewardship and can be used for preaching or more ideally as a small group resource. Stewardship is something that we need to focus on because unless we are good stewards, we can't always be generous. We need to plan for those opportunities that arise to be generous and being a good steward does that.
Contact your coach for more information. Here is a copy of the first chapter which you'll find helpful.
Money_or_Maker_-_Sample_July_2016
This resource comes from YOUR MONEY COUNTS. This is an excellent resource. They are currently offering 9 weeks of free video training which I highly recommed. Please check out this web site. You will also be able to access many other resources on offer.
Here is the link.
Video Training Sessions - Navigating your finances God's way
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOXf1mrggFBD9f3ctg31agQ
GENEROSITY by LIFEWAY
This website provides videos which can be used either for personal growth or with your leadership or even with your people. There are various topics in relation to generosity and growing it as a culture in your corps or centre.
Here are a few links which you may find very helpful. Once on the site you will be able to check out other options.
When you think of a generous culture do you think of more money or more disciples? Most often I hear pastors talk of a generous culture with the thought of more money. But that is a small goal. We will never have a generous church until it is filled with generous disciples being led by generous leaders. Then it becomes unstoppable.
https://lifewaygenerosity.com/2020/06/23/vlog-how-generous-disciples-transform-culture/
Second Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each person should do as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.” Pastor, I’m sure you’ve heard and given sermons on this verse about being a cheerful giver. You probably know that the greek word refers to being beyond cheerful, into the realm of being hilarious. I want you to know that we can grow giving to be cheerful and joy-filled. It won’t happen overnight, but it will occur quicker than you think.
https://lifewaygenerosity.com/2020/06/09/vlog-5-steps-to-grow-joy-filled-generosity/
This is a very helpful book which is available through Generosity by Lifeway or from places such as Amazon.au which enables you to purchase it on kindle, if you'd prefer.
What kind of help would people receive if the only training they were given on money came from the church? Leading a Generous Church: Making Disciples without Chasing Money uses the Book of Proverbs to guide you step by step in developing a playbook for your church that will produce unprecedented confidence and clarity to grow passionately generous disciples.
MOMENTS PRIOR TO THE TITHES & OFFERINGS
The moments prior to taking up the tithes and offerings is a really significant moment. Too quickly this time in our meetings can become routine and without meaning. Let's face it, it can be the time where we catch up with the person sitting next to us. Sometimes all you hear is chatter and it's not talking about the generosity of God and His blessings.
Changes need to be made and here is an opportunity to do just that.
This is a booklet which is easy and quick to read and helps with expalining the importance of that moment prior to the offering. Please have a read. I'm sure you will be inspired.
There are videos available to show prior to the tithes and offerings which can also be helpful. Go to our videos page and you will see some examples. Dan Stevers has a number available on his site which can be purchased.
Here are some examples of what you can use or develop. If you develop your own, could you please email to christine.dickson@aue.salvationarmy.org as we would love to include it in this list.
SUGGESTED_SCHEDULE_FOR_OFFERING_MOMENTS
OFFERING_PRAYER_-_Bayside_1.docx
OUR_ATTACHMENT_TO_MONEY_IS_OUR_TEST
OH_LET_ME_LIVE_IN_THE_GLORY_OF_YOUR_GRACE
Other ideas are:
- Pray before the tithes and offerings
- Actually 'bring' the offering to the Lord (as we do for self denial)
- Have someone share their testimony of God's provision
- Read scripture. There are great verses available in Brian Kluth's book 40 Day Journey.
- Show scripture PowerPoints before, during and/or after the offering then pray the verse.
- Explain the difference between Tithes and Offerings (not everyone kmows there is a difference)
- Talk about first fruits (there is a great video about that too)
- Don't exclude anyone from taking part in this worship moment. Visitors should not be excluded.
GENEROUSCHURCH.COM
This is a website which has some great resources.
They currently have a free ebook to download entitled "From an Act of Giving to a Way of Living".
CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP NETWORK
https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/
We are a network of stewardship pastors and leaders who serve in a local Christian congregation. Our mission is simple yet profound: connect stewardship pastors and leaders and help them be the absolute best they can be!
Also available on podcast - Stewardship Leader.
PODCASTS
Some recommended podcasts:
- The Generosity Podcast
- Stewardship Leader
- Getting money right
- Gateway Life
When there isn't enough
This is a topic which comes up quite a lot at the moment but it is a fear that has been with us since time began. When we look at scripture there are thousands of verses which refer to money and possessions. Many of the parables also refer to the same. The fear of not having enough. It's one of the reasons people hesitate to tithe - what if I don't have enough for the week ahead?
Here is a great video which is not ony helpful for corps leaders to have a look at, but to show for everyone. Why not show it and follow with a discussion?
Follow the link. Copy and paste.
https://www.gospelpatrons.org/library/when-theres-not-enough?utm_source=Gospel Patrons Subscription&utm_campaign=64af233396-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_02_15_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5190740d38-64af233396-334467853&mc_cid=64af233396&mc_eid=487a5c19d0
Here is a link to some great pictures that can be used as PowerPoint slide or any other publication:
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=tithes+and+offering+backgrounds&id=05C5D6FEE15ECE8C5D0CA7C6A7DB346114577D31&FORM=IQFRBA
www.motionworship.com also has some great videos. The first three are some examples of their work.
DEVOTIONAL BOOKS
You will see on our devotional page under Resources the various books, DVD;s and information that is available to help you with this.
The two books by Brian Kluth also come on a free app which also has the audio and videos as well as other great resources.
Search Brian Kluth 40 day and 30 day in the app store. More info: http://www.generositydevotional.com/home-1.html
- 40 Day Journey to a more Spiritual Life by Brian Kluth
- Open Handed Living in a Tight Fisted World by Brian Kluth
- Generosty moving toward life that is truly life by Gordon MacDonald
- Whole-Life Generosity Devotional - Living in Relationship, Gratitude & Release by Skye Jethani
- The Scriptural Principles of Giving by Major Dr Alan Harley (video series available)
- Money or Maker : 6 week series which focuses on Stewardship
BOOKS TO READ
You will see that we have a page on this web site under Resources which has a list of books that would be helpful. It is highly recommended that you have a look at these and choose some to read. A good starting point is CONTAGEOUS GENEROSITY. It is very straightforward to read and has some excellent ideas. Please check them out.
RIGHT NOW MEDIA (rightnowmedia.org)
Salvation Army corps have access to this very helpful media resource. There are Bible Studies, videos, teaching covering many topics. The areas relevant to this ministry is found through searching generosity, stewardship, giving. A very helpful video series recommended are:
Living Generously
Leading Generously
Loving Generously
They come with weekly videos as well as accessable leaders and participants guides.
SERMONS
We have a number of sermon ideas on our site under Resources so we encourage you to have a look. They may spark some ideas.
WEB SITES
We have some great sermons and ideas on web site links, so please take a look at them.
LETTERS TO INTRODUCE THE SERIES TO YOUR PEOPLE
You may like to write to your people about the focused series you are going to preach on. Hopefully they are prepared for this. You may also like to attach a statement or include in the letter their previous giving. This should be done quarterly, but this is a great time to do it again.
We are providing you with a few templates which may be helpful:
Letter_sending_devotional_books.doc
PLEDGE / COMMITMENT CARDS
These are an example used by Bayside Corps. You can easily go in and make any adjustments you like such as name of corps. You will see that they provide an opportunity for people to pledge their time and talents as well.
Generous_Culture__Pledge_Cards_Time_Talents_Treasures
Generous_Culture_Pledge_Cards_finance_only
BUSINESS CARDS FOR EFT OFFERING
We have had it mentioned that people giving through EFT still like to physically put something in the offering. Well here is a way to save on purchasing envelopes and print off some of these cards. People can collect them before the meeting and then place the card in the offering as they prayerfully give thanks for the tithe they have already given. Just an idea.
Business_cards_-_proverbs.docx