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GIVING SCRIPTS

2022 VERSION


How to Use This Resource

Whether you are a pastor, on staff at a church, or a dedicated volunteer, you have been entrusted with a huge responsibility: leading your congregation as they worship God by giving.

I hope this resource is a blessing for you. I hope it helps you encourage your congregation to step into all that God has for them by intentionally growing in generosity.

You can give weekly offering talks with confidence. Giving is a spiritual act of worship. It’s not just financial. The God who created time, space, and matter knows that the tangible things of this world, like money and possessions, matter. God calls us to live an embodied faith. The Apostle Paul urges us to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1), committing ourselves completely to God. If Paul can tell Jesus’ disciples to offer Him their bodies, we can certainly feel free to urge people to offer their finances to the service of the Lord.

I say all of this because I want you to know that talking to your congregation about giving, as well as other aspects of stewardship, is God’s work. It is Biblical through and through.

The weekly offering talk is the most consistent way to lead your church into new thinking regarding priorities, money, and how they can respond to God’s call to serve Him. While you may offer financial classes that have a deep impact on the individuals who take them, the weekly offering talk is heard by most of the congregation at least 52 times every year.

Take the time to prepare. Pray. Make these giving scripts your own. Practice them before you deliver them. Ideally, you’ll present your weekly giving script to a test audience. All of this will help you hone and sharpen your ability to genuinely and lovingly invite people to grow by giving.

Your church will benefit as you lead your congregation confidently into greater generosity.

About the Author: Joe Wickman serves as the Lead Pastor of New Life Ministries in Endicott, NY. This

is the church he grew up in and that helped him become a disciple of Jesus. Joe loves being part of

his local community, where God has grown New Life from a neighborhood church to a church with

a regional reach. In over 20 years of pastoral ministry in a variety of settings, Joe has developed a

passion for helping pastors and their families survive and thrive in ministry. He and Kelcy have been

serving Jesus together since they started dating in High School. They have been married for 24 years

and have four daughters who are learning how to love and serve the Lord.


There Can Only Be One First

Happy New Year [church name]!

I hope you had a great time ringing in the new year with friends and family.

We’re so pleased that you decided to start your new year right by worshiping God with us. After a busy holiday season, you chose to put Him first today.

And that’s what worship is all about, isn’t it? It’s more than people gathering to sing songs and listen to great teaching. Worship is about us coming together to put God first.

Every part of this time we share together is worship. When you choose to come to church instead of sleep in, that’s worship. When you sing praise to God for all He has done, and pray all kinds of prayers and open God’s Word and put it into practice in your life, that is all worship.

One of the very tangible ways we put God first is by our worship in giving.

No matter where you’re at with generosity, whether you’ve never given here or you’ve been faith-fully generous for years, God calls every worshiper to prioritize Him with our finances.

Listen to what King Solomon says in Proverbs 3 (NIV):

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

In the coming weeks we’re going to get into what all of that means. But for today, at the outset of this new year, what I think we need to know is simple: You can only have one first.

We cannot have two top priorities. That’s why God calls us to worship Him by putting Him first.

No matter where you’re starting from with giving, I want to challenge you to put God first.If you will begin to prioritize God in your life, He will make your giving into an act of worship.

Let’s pray.


Firstfruits

Good morning, my name is [name] and I’m [staff role / one of our volunteers here].

As we turn our attention to worship by giving, let’s look again at what King Solomon says in Proverbs 3 (NIV):


You might wonder, “What’s a ‘firstfruit’ and what’s that got to do with us in 2022?”I’m glad you asked. This made sense to people living in an agricultural society. But for us it takes some explaining.

The “firstfruits” were the very first part of the crops that were harvested each season. Throughout Scripture God calls His people to prioritize Him by giving the first and best to Him.

For people who depended on the harvest for the food they fed their families, this was a big deal. If you have people in your household that depend on your income to eat, you know this is huge.

So, why did God require people to give Him their first and best?

It’s not that God needed their firstfruits. God is not needy. He has everything. It’s all His.Rather, God knows that we need to give. Every single thing that passes through our hands

Back in the day when people’s wellbeing depended upon them planting and harvesting, giving God the first and best of their crops was a concrete way of prioritizing Him by giving.

It’s the same with us today. Trusting God with some of our income is good. But when we choose to give God the first of our income, something changes. Giving becomes worship in a new way.

Let’s commit to prioritizing God in every way this year, including worshiping Him by giving.Whether you give a dollar, a tenth of your income, or beyond, I encourage you to begin your giving by prioritizing God. Give Him your first, and He will become first in your life.


Giving the Best Blesses the Rest

Good Morning, [church name], I am so glad we get to turn our attention to worship by giving because today I want to share with you something you may have never considered.

In Proverbs 3 (NIV) King Solomon wrote,


We see here, and in so many other places throughout Scripture, that what God desires is for us to give Him the first and best of what He blesses us with, rather than the last and the leftovers.

It’s tempting to give God what we have left over at the end of the month. But when we prioritize God by giving Him the first and the best, our giving becomes worship in a whole new way.

But what you may not have considered is that, when we give the first, something else happens.

When we give God the first and the best, He takes the rest and makes it blessed.

When God established the tithe (giving the first 10% of our income) as the standard for our giving, He did that to help us remember that the key to living blessed is to prioritize God.

This principle works in every area of our lives. When we give God the first of our time daily, we experience increased peace throughout our whole day. When we prioritize God in our closest relationships, then all of our other relationships benefit.

Maybe if we’re struggling to get our finances in order we should begin by honoring God.When we honor God with the first part of what He’s blessed us with, we invite His blessings on the rest.

Let’s pray for God to help us trust Him with all we have by giving Him our first and best.


Blessed

Good morning, [church name], my name is [name] and I’m so glad we get to worship together.

Now we’re going to turn our attention to worshiping God by giving.

This month we’re exploring Proverbs 3 (NIV), where King Solomon wrote,


Today I want to say a few words about the blessings God has promised here. There are some people who will twist God’s Word, telling you that if you give, then God will have to bless you. That’s not what the Bible says.

God does not owe us blessing. Our giving does not make God indebted to us.

King Solomon was given great wisdom by God, and here he lays out a general principle. He does not intend for you and I to believe that God will literally fill our barns and overflow our vats. (I don’t know about you, but I don’t even own a barn, let alone vats. And I don’t know how to make wine.)

So don’t take these verses too literally.

However, when King Solomon wrote this he was identifying a principle that is definitely true. It’s simple: When we do what God says in His Word, we step into more blessings than we would if we ignored what He says. This is true in every area of our lives, including our finances.

Don’t give to God in order to manipulate Him into blessing you. That’s not how this works.

Rather, give to God in order to honor Him. As you put God first, He will reorder all of your priorities. As He does, you will begin to experience more and more of God’s blessings.

This is why God calls us to give, because He cares for us and wants us to experience all the blessings He has for us.Let’s pray for God to help us do just that.


Blessed to Be a Blessing

Good morning, [church name], my name is [name] and I’m so glad we get to worship together.

Something special happens when God’s people gather for worship that’s unique from what happens when we pray individually. When we sing worship songs in our cars (ever do that?) God is honored. When we open our Bibles, we can worship Him wherever we are.

But when God’s people, the Church, gather together to worship, God is honored in a way that is unique from when we’re all in our separate homes.

This entire month we’ve kicked off the New Year by learning to honor God.I hope you’ve enjoyed exploring what King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 3 (NIV).Let’s read it one more time.


I hope that as you’ve prioritized God, honoring Him by giving the first and the best of what He’s blessed you with, that you have been blessed. It’s ok for me to want what God has promised in His Word.

We never give in order to get. We give in order to honor God, and He determines what kind of blessing we experience.

But why? Why does God call us to honor Him so that we may be blessed?

It’s not so that we can keep God’s blessing to ourselves. God delights in blessing His people so that they can turn around and represent Him well in this world. God is generous, and He calls us to use what He has blessed us with, generously showing others what He is like by giving.

When Christians give, we meet the spiritual needs of our community, providing for the church to be strong and vibrant, able to reach out and bless others in Jesus’ name.

Thank you for honoring the Lord. Thank you for being a generous church.


Commit your way to the Lord

Happy New Month, [church name]!

Now it’s time for us to turn our attention to worshiping God by giving.

Now that it’s February, I wanted to check in with you and ask:How’s that New Year’s Resolution going?

We all know how it goes. Every January the gyms are full because people tell themselves, “This is the year I get in shape!” And by February, the crowds at the gym have usually died down.

What about you? Now that we’re a bit removed from the New year hype, are you moving in the direction of your goals? Or do you need to take a moment to get refocused?

Whether or not you make New Year’s resolutions, it’s a great time to evaluate where we’ve been and chart a course to where we want to be.

Do you have a relational goal? Do you want to spend more time with your spouse or your kids?Is your goal health related? The holidays have a way of helping us pack on the pounds.I hope you have financial goals. We want to be more financially fit. We want to get out of debt.

We all know that it takes more than a one-day commitment to turn goals into reality.

King Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. He knew that the start of any successful plan begins with God: Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. - Proverbs 16:3 NIV

Today we have an opportunity to start fresh. Beginning with our giving, let’s commit our actions to the Lord, who gave us everything we have. Let’s commit all of our ways to Him.

Every offering is a step in the direction of committing all of our ways to God.

Let’s pray.[Pray for God’s help in committing all of our ways to Him, including our finances. Some of us are in debt, and we need help getting out. Some of us need to make more money, and don’t know how. Others of us have big decisions to make. We all commit our way to You, Lord.]


Hearing from God about Giving - Part 1 of 5Have You Asked God About Your Giving Lately?

Good morning, church family!Now is the time when we turn our attention to worship by giving.

Today I’d like to ask you a bold question: Have you asked God about your giving lately?

This is a question we don’t think to ask often. We ask God about lots of things, but not giving.• We ask God for strength when we’re feeling weak.• We ask Him for wisdom when we have to make difficult decisions.• We ask Him for healing and comfort for those who are sick and hurting.• We often ask God to grow us and make us more like Christ in every way.

But do we think to ask God about our generosity?We should because giving is one way that God grows us to be more like Himself.

So… When was the last time that you honestly assessed your personal generosity?• Is your generosity consistent with what God invites us into in His Word?• Are you currently responding to how God wants to challenge you and grow your faith?• Or is your generosity in “set it and forget it” mode?

Many of us chose a level of giving years ago, and that’s where we’ve been since then. We seldom think of it because we’re comfortable. But God does not want our giving to be on “Autopilot” in any area of our faith. Rather a living and active part of our faith.

In the coming weeks we’re going to explore several Scriptures that God just might use to speak to you about your generosity.

God wants to do something THROUGH you.But He also wants to do something IN you.

I hope you share my sense of anticipation for how He will speak to us in the weeks ahead.

Let’s pray that God makes us into a more generous church as we ask what He wants us to do, and then respond to Him.


Hearing from God about Giving - Part 2 of 5Listen to God

Good morning, [church name], last week we decided we would ask God about what He wants us to do with our generosity. That’s a bold question to ask God. It feels potentially risky, right?

If you were raised in church, and you know what the Bible says about generosity, you understand that God wants His people to live generous lives, not just “checking a box” by giving a certain percentage or certain amount. But it’s easy to become complacent about our giving.

God included over 2,000 verses in Scripture about money and possessions because how we handle the tangible things of this life is meant to be a reflection and exercise of the relationship we get to have with God by grace through faith.

With so many verses, so many stories, in both the Old and New Testaments, and with over a third of Jesus’ parables focusing on these topics, it is Biblical to ask God for guidance when it comes to our own generosity.

Jesus highlighted God’s willingness to be asked about all sorts of things in Matthew 7 (NIV)

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

If God instructs so thoroughly about generosity all through His Word, we should ask Him about how we can live a life that pleases Him. He may have a next step in mind for us. Maybe that’s to begin giving for the first time, to try tithing, or to give a sacrificial gift that He has in mind.

If you never ask, you’ll never know. And you may miss an opportunity to respond to God.So I hope you asked that question in anticipation of God responding to your request.And if you haven’t asked yet, I hope that you will.

We’re talking to God about this because we trust that His plan for us is best. Giving is never about what God wants from us. It’s all about what He wants for us.

Let’s pray to God together and trust that He will show us how to respond to Him.


Hearing from God about Giving - Part 3 of 5Evaluate Your Giving

Good morning, [church name], my name is [name] and I’m our [staff/volunteer role] here.

As we turn our attention to worship by giving, I want to thank you for your generosity.

Last week we asked God to speak to us about our generosity. This is a bold prayer!If you prayed that prayer, I hope you are hearing from God and responding to Him.

Today I want you to know that it is a Godly, wise practice to evaluate your generosity. There is no area of our faith in which God calls us to be in “set it and forget it” mode, including giving.

The Lord provided a parable to help us understand the urgency of evaluating our giving.Jesus told a story in Matthew 25 (NIV) about a man who was going away on a journey.

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.”

When the man came back from his journey, he called his servants to account for what he had entrusted to them while he was absent.

Friends, our master Jesus has gone to Heaven, but make no mistake, He is coming back. Either we will meet Him when we take our last breath, or when He returns. Then we’ll give an account.

Today, because we live in the age of grace, we wait for Jesus’ return and have the opportunity to make the most of what He has entrusted to us for a time. The Good News of the Gospel is that the Lord has been so very generous to us by sending His Son, our Savior, Jesus. Now in this time we have on earth we get to honor Him by the way we are generous in our giving.

I encourage you to evaluate your giving. If you’re married, evaluate with your spouse. If you’re single, evaluate with a Christian friend or mentor who you know is living a generous life.

As we do, God will help us take next steps in our generosity, teaching us how to be faithful. When He returns, or we go to Him, we’ll hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”


Hearing from God about Giving - Part 4 of 5Get Specific

Good morning, [church name], I am so glad we have a church that listens to God about all things, including generosity. Today I want to talk with you about getting specific with God.

I often get to pray with people about their relationships, difficult decisions they have to make, or ways that they are asking God for help. It is an honor and a privilege to pray with them for those things, and it is a joy to walk with you as you pray about how God would have you give.

Did you know God loves to answer specific questions?

Throughout Scripture we see numerous examples of people asking God specific questions and Him giving specific answers. God loves to answer the prayers of His people. He is our Father in Heaven, and He delights in hearing our prayers.

When we “ask, seek, and knock” in prayer, He answers, helps us find, and opens the door.

The parable Jesus told about the man who entrusted his servants with money to invest while he was away helps us understand that all we are blessed with comes from our Master. So it only makes sense that we would ask Him for help in using the resources we have wisely.

So as we ask God about what we should give in accordance with what His Word says, and what He wants to tell us specifically through prayer, let’s also pray for a Godly attitude about giving.

In 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (NIV) the Apostle Paul says, 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Determine specifically how your resources can be used by God to further His kingdom.Then, once you have heard from God in Scripture and through prayer, give wholeheartedly.

Don’t give grudgingly. Don’t give because I tell you to. Give because God tells you to.

Thank you for seeking and responding to God regarding your giving.God is teaching us how to be a more generous church one prayer at a time.


Hearing from God about Giving - Part 5 of 5Walk By Faith

Good morning, [church name], as we turn our attention toward worshiping God by giving, I want to thank you for praying risky prayers. Of course every time we obey God, doing what He says in His Word and responding to Him in prayer, we are safe in His will. But it feels risky, doesn’t it?

If you have prayed to God about your generosity these past weeks, and you’ve responded to Him, I want to thank you for being a believer in Jesus Christ who is literally putting their money where your mouth is. You’re not just talking to God about living by faith, you’re doing it.

Today I want to ask you a question: Why do you think we talk so openly about generosity?

Is it because God needs your money? No.Is it because we’re trying to make you uncomfortable? No.

I’ll tell you why: We love talking about what God says in His Word. When it comes to generosity, God has a lot to say in Scripture, so we should seek His help as we want to respond to Him.

We hope you’ll live in increasing obedience to what God says in His Word about salvation, wisdom, decision making, Godly living, and yes, also what He says about giving.

There is blessing in obedience for you. But there is also blessing in it for others as well.

In the final book of the Old Testament the prophet Malachi says in chapter 3 verse 10 (NIV)

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

When we obey what God says about giving we are blessed. Ask anyone who has tithed consistently, prioritizing God by giving the first and best of their income, and they’ll tell you. When we give like that, God opens up blessings that are not available any other way.

And as God’s people respond to Him individually, then the whole church is blessed and so is the community we are ministering to. This is God’s plan for our good and His glory.

Let’s commit to continue to ask Him for guidance in giving, and respond to Him as He speaks.


Love God, Love People - Part 1 of 3What’s Most Important?

Good morning, [church name], I hope you’ve had a good week.

Do you ever get weary of all the forces trying to pull your attention in their direction? I do.

In the world we live in today we are bombarded with messages about what other people or companies want us to think is important. Advertising, news sources, even friends and family, are all competing for a little bit of our attention. They want us to make their priorities our priorities.

Some of them have great motives. Others are more selfish.

For this reason it’s important we ensure we are always mindful of “true north”.Christians keep what’s most important in mind by focusing on what God says is most important.

That is why we are now going to take time in worship to give to God.This important weekly act resets our priorities, putting God first, right where He belongs.

In Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV) an “expert in the law” asks Jesus a question.36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Notice that Jesus did not say, “All of God’s commands are equally important.” He prioritized.37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

If Jesus prioritized loving God and loving people, we should too. When we give, we do exactly that. We prioritize God by putting Him first in our finances, which shapes all our other priorities. And when we give, the church uses that money to serve the spiritual needs of our community.

We are able to love people well when you prioritize loving God above all else.Our [discipleship ministry, groups or classes] help us love God more.And our [outreach or care ministry] is just one way we love people.

We are able to do these ministries because of your generosity.Let’s keep loving God and loving people.Thank you for being a generous church.


Love God, Love People - Part 2 of 3Love God

Good morning, [church name], we’re now going to worship God by giving.

When Jesus was asked, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” He gave an immediate answer that should influence our top priority in every area of our lives.

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.”

One of the wonderful things about Jesus is that in Him God became flesh. When Jesus was born, God entered into the human story in a new way. Jesus was fully God and fully man. As God with us He experienced what it was like to live as part of a family, experience pain, and even work with his hands. So Jesus knew what it meant to live an embodied faith in the Father.

So when Jesus says that the greatest commandment of God is to love God with all you are, He really means it.

While on earth, Jesus lived a life of complete devotion to His Father. And because of what Jesus did by dying on the cross and rising from the dead, and by sending the Holy Spirit to fill believers, we can too.

It takes all of Jesus’ power living in us for us to live lives wholly devoted to God. But thankfully God’s Word clearly displays how the Lord has supplied all we need to live Godly lives.

Trusting God with our finances by giving Him our first and best is one way we prioritize Him. Instead of trusting God in theory only, we trust Him with the tangible things of this world. God supplies all we need to live this life, including our ability to earn. So when we prioritize God by giving, it is a significant part of the process of us trusting Him with everything else.

Thank you for being a church who is intent on loving God with all you are.


Love God, Love People - Part 3 of 3Love People

Good morning, [church name], as we turn our attention to giving, I’d like to tell you one of the many things I love about Jesus.

Jesus loves people.

Loving people can be a struggle for us. And Jesus understands. He’s met people. He knows what people can be like. He knows how difficult I can be to get along with. Yet He loves me.

The mercy and grace of Jesus is stunning. The way He loves people was embodied on the cross. Jesus gave Himself freely so that sinful people like me could experience His love. The mercy and grace of Jesus are wonderful enough to win over even the hardest person.

When asked, Jesus said that the greatest commandment in all of God’s Law was to love God with everything we have. But then He quickly followed up with, 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” So Jesus was asked for one answer and He gave two. That’s just like Him.

For followers of Jesus, our first priority is to love God, and the second is to love people.

Jesus’ generosity is second to none. He willingly gave up His life, suffering for people who had not yet loved Him. This kind of sacrificial love is so rare, and Jesus’ love is so unique, that we are still celebrating it 2000 years later.

When we give, it’s because we love God. But it’s also because we love people.

The ministry here at [church name] exists to help people know and experience the love of God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When God’s people give, the ministry is fueled. Yes, prayer and volunteering are essential too. But I want you to know that your love for God that motivates you to give also allows us to love people in Jesus’ name.

This month we were able to [tell about “wins” in the ministry - a child coming to faith, a teen being baptized, people being helped]. We were able to do all of that because you, God’s people, love other people so much that you gave generously.

Thank you for being a church who is committed to loving God and loving people.


Give with Anticipation of what God’s Going to DoPalm Sunday

Good morning and happy Palm Sunday, [church name].

As we turn our attention to giving, I want you to remind you of the heart of why we give.

Today we’re reminded of that day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem. As he approached the city, the sense of anticipation grew palpable. People laid down palm branches and shouted for him.

The crowd cheered because of what they wanted Jesus to be and what they thought He would do. They wanted Him to throw off the oppression of the occupying Roman government.

But as the people cheered, Jesus wept because He knew they had no idea what he would do. They didn’t realize that He was really on the way to save them for their sins on the cross.

Jesus’ distress for the condition of people’s souls moved him to tears.The crowd cheered for Jesus because of they thought they would get: political freedom.Jesus wept because He knew what they really needed was spiritual freedom.

The beautiful thing about Jesus is that He was more than willing to give what was required for the people to access what they could never purchase. He laid down His life for them, and for us.

I want to remind you that we have a similar opportunity to give sacrificially, like Jesus did. While we may not give of our own bodies, we are certainly called to sacrifice financially so that others can benefit.

Today, as we look forward all those guests who will come to worship for Easter next week, all those friends and family members who you’re inviting to church, I hope that we develop a holy sense of anticipation for what God might do in them as they hear the Good News next Sunday.

Thank you, church, for having a concern for the souls of all those who don’t yet know Jesus.Thank you for giving so that we can provide this ministry for all who will come.Thank you for reflecting the heart of Jesus.


Good Friday [Bonus]

Good Evening, my name is [name] and I’m so glad you’re worshiping with us tonight. This is a special service in which we get to come face to face with the price Jesus paid for us.

IF YOU ARE RECEIVING AN OFFERING (We “receive”, we never “take” an offering.)

If you’re new to [church name], I want you to know, more than anything else, that Jesus loves you so much the He gave His life for you. The community of believers in Jesus Christ here give so that this ministry can exist because they are just so grateful for what Christ has done.

If you’d like to give an offering tonight, I want you to know how you can do that. *Walk through the methods of giving. If you are passing the plate/basket, tell them that you’re about to do that. Tell them who they can make a check out to. And tell them how they can give (drop box? Staff member?) if they’d like to give later. Then tell them about your online giving options.

But whether you choose to give tonight or not, we hope that you will be impacted by the time we spend together worshiping Jesus, who has given Himself so freely to us. We want you to know the deep joy and freedom you can have when you have accepted the gift He gave for you.

Let’s praise the Lord in prayer for how very generous He is to us. PRAY.

IF YOU ARE NOT RECEIVING AN OFFERING

This is the time in our service when we usually pause to worship God by giving. But this is a special service, and we choose not to take an offering on Good Friday.

If you prepared a gift, thank you. You can (put it in the dropbox, give it to a staff member?).

But tonight we simply want you to celebrate the incredible generosity of God, who gave His only Son Jesus for us. God’s grace is a free gift. By grace through faith you can accept it. I hope you do. That’s why Jesus lived, died and rose for. And it’s what we live for today.

Let’s thank Jesus for His willingness to give Himself so freely for us. PRAY


Celebrate New Life!

Good morning and Happy Easter/Resurrection Sunday!

My name is [name] and we are so thankful you chose to worship with us at [church name].

On Easter we celebrate the best news ever, that Jesus has risen from the dead!The cross is where Jesus gave His life up as a sacrifice for our sins.He took our sin to the grave, and rose in victory forever.Because Jesus is alive, we can be too!

If you’re new to [church name] I want you to know that Easter isn’t the only Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. In fact, this is the good news that gets us out of bed every morning.

We celebrate the resurrection every single Sunday of the year because faith in Jesus is what has helped us experience real, lasting change in our lives we didn’t have access to before.

At this church we’ve got people who thought they could never be forgiven, but now they are.We’ve got people who were once addicted, but are now living in freedom.We’ve got marriages that have been restored and renewed.We’ve got people who were once hopeless who now live lives full of purpose.

And it’s all because of the resurrection power of Jesus at work within us.

So we gather, not just on Easter, but every Sunday of the year, to worship Jesus.Together we sing praise to His name. We look into the Word so we can learn about Him.And we give generously because of our great gratitude to the God who saved us.As we do, the ministry is fueled and more people get to hear the good news about Jesus.

No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, Romans 6:4 (NIV) is for you: We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

This is why we give, because we just cannot stop thanking God for what He has done for us.

Thank you for worshiping with us today.


Welcome Second Time Guests

*Keep in mind that you may have many returning guests from Easter Sunday. Their second visit is often the week that a guest decides whether or not they will keep coming to the church.

Good morning, [church name], my name is [name] and I’m so glad you came to worship today.

Each week we take this time to worship God by giving to Him.

If you worshiped with us last week for the first time, or for the first time in a while, I want to let you know that we are so glad to see you again. Last week we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. But each week is a new opportunity for us to celebrate that Jesus makes us new.

Our hope for you is that you will begin to experience new life in Christ more every week.We don’t just want you to come to worship. We invite you to:

*Now would be a great time to list a few next steps specific to your church.• Fill out a connection card so that we can begin a conversation with you.• Get to know some people in a group or class.• Help us bless our community through [upcoming service project].

We invite you to take a next step because we don’t want you to just attend church. We want you to step into the fullness of new life that we celebrate every single Sunday.

All of these ministries are made possible because of the generosity of God’s people. For 2,000 years people whose lives have been changed by Jesus have been giving and volunteering so that others can be welcomed into the church and ministered to.

Jesus is God’s best gift to us. And we’d love to share more of Him with you.

We hope you feel just as welcomed to [church name] as you did last week.God has so much in store for us as individuals as a church.Thank you to all of you who give so that we can continue to offer this ministry to all who come.


Mother’s Day Prep:Searching for Sons & Daughters

Good morning, [church name], now is the time in our service when we worship God by giving.

Next week is Mother’s Day. Believe it or not, Mother’s Day is one of the most attended Sundays in the church nationwide. Why? I think it’s because lots of children (of all ages) know that what Mom wants most on Mother’s Day is for her children to worship the Lord with her.

Do you know what that means? Next week we may have the opportunity to meet and greet some sons and daughters who may not come to church regularly. This is what we live for.

Just as Moms who love Jesus have a deep concern for the spiritual wellbeing of their children, we here at [church name] have a deep concern for every person living life without Jesus.

Everything we do here, all the hours we spend preparing for Sunday and serving in ministries throughout the week, is done in anticipation of people

We love it when people who are part of the church are built up and growing in Christ. And that’s happening every week. But it’s a special celebration when someone comes to Christ for the first time. Jesus said so in Luke 15 (NIV).

After telling the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus tells of the joy when one lost soul is found:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Today I want to remind you that when you give you help fuel a ministry that is actively looking for those lost sheep. The sons and daughters of this community all need the Lord, just like we do.

I am so thankful that the generous people of this church are willing to give their hard-earned money to help us find them. Thank you for being a generous church.


Moms Know How to Sacrifice

Good morning, [church name], I want to recognize all the Moms represented here.

As we turn our attention to worshiping by giving, I think we can learn a lot from Moms.

Being a mother is a tough job, and we sure are thankful for all that Moms give.

What all Moms have in common is that their children’s birth changes them forever. Mothers know a thing or two about sacrifice because bringing a new life into this world requires for them to actually give up their own bodies in a selfless way. For 9 months their bodies work hard to create a brand new human. And giving birth is just the beginning of how Moms give of their own lives for the good of their children.

In this way I think mothers everywhere reflect the heart of God. The support of a Mom, and the way she gives life to us, does not diminish over the years. We continue to benefit from her love.

In a similar way, God demonstrates a profound love for us.

The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8 (NIV) 31 If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

I hope you have a wonderful relationship with your Mom that is a constant source of blessing. But even if you don’t, I want you to know that God is so very generous with His blessings.

He is for you, not against you, and He

Since God is so generous to us, we get to learn how to be like Him. Take your cue from the best Mom you know. Learn how to live a life of generosity. Learn to make your life a blessing to others. Learn to give, and God will make you a source of His blessing.

Thank you, Moms, for your generosity. And thank you, church, for yours.Through your generosity this church will give new life to many.


Give.

Now is the time when we turn our attention to worshiping God by giving Him a portion of what He has blessed us with.

Money is a source of headaches for many people, and can be a source of heartaches for many individuals and even whole families. Everyone seems to have an opinion about how to best use the limited income we all have. With so much information out there, we can easily get overwhelmed and discouraged.

Thankfully, God’s Word contains wisdom about life, including how to prioritize our finances.

The simplest money advice I’ve ever heard is just three words long: Give. Save. Live.It’s so simple that even a child could understand it. But the wisest man who ever lived taught it.

Give. Save. Live.

The first priority for the person handling money God’s way is to give.

The best budgeting plan begins with giving. It may seem counterintuitive, but there is great power in putting giving first in your financial priorities. Your budget can only have one first. Make your first priority giving, and God will help you order priorities 2, 3, 4, and beyond.

Proverbs 28:20 (NIV) says, A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. When we put ourselves first financially, things don’t go so well. But when we put God first, giving to Him our first and best, we invite His blessing on the rest.

If you’ve tried lots of different tips, tricks, and hacks to try to improve your financial picture, but you haven’t tried putting God first, I dare you to try it. If you begin with giving, God will bless your efforts. I’m not saying He’ll make you rich. But He will do something even better. He will rearrange your priorities as you learn to honor Him with all you have.

Give. Save. Live.

Give God your best. He’ll teach you what to do with the rest.


Save.

Good morning, [church name], as we take time to worship God by giving, I want to let you know how thankful I am for the wisdom we find in God’s Word.

God doesn’t care just about our souls and then ignore our tangible physical needs. He cares about the everyday things we deal with, like how to best use the money He’s entrusted to us.

The simplest way to express wise financial priorities is this: Give. Save. Live.

When we give God our first and best, we invite His blessing on the rest of what we have.If we want to be wise with our money, our next step will be to learn how to save well.

Why?

When we have no savings we live dangerously close to disaster. Without cash savings, even a small inconvenience can turn into an emergency. Routine things like getting new tires on the car can put us in such a tight spot that we are forced to borrow. When we borrow, we pay interest. And every penny we pay in interest on that borrowed money is money we don’t get to use.

But I have good news for you who are learning how to give to God first.

If you are taking the first step of prioritizing giving to God, then you are developing a new discipline. And if you can develop one discipline, you can develop another. Once giving to God has become normal, you’ll discover that you don’t even miss that money. God supplies for you in ways that are both tangible and intangible. Soon you’ll think, “I can’t afford not to give.”

If you can do that, then you can save money too. Proverbs 13:11 says, (NIV) “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.”

Let’s thank God for His wisdom. And let’s pray for Him to help us to live wisely.Let’s pray for Him to help us to Give, Save, and Live.


Live.

Good morning, [church name], now it’s time for us to worship God by giving.

What I love about God’s wisdom is that it’s simple and direct. When we look at God’s Word, the Bible, we discover the deepest mysteries the human mind can comprehend. But we also find that the vast majority of the wisdom is so simple that even a child can understand it.

The hard part is putting it into practice. That’s why we come together as a church weekly. We need God’s help. And we need each other’s help.

If you’ve ever needed help getting your finances focused, you’re not alone. God’s Word contains over 2,000 verses on money and possessions because God knows we need His help in ordering our financial world. Thank God for His concern for us! [This would be a great opportunity to remind the church of any financial classes or counseling you may offer.]

Speaking of advice, the Apostle Paul gave this strong word of warning to his protege, Timothy.

1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV) Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Wow. Those are strong words. Paul wasn’t talking about someone who had a difficult downturn that impacted their ability to provide. He was talking about the person who ignores wisdom and refuses to accept the responsibility to prioritize.

The way to avoid this is simple. We put in place the three guiding principles: Give. Save. Live.

God is honored when we give first. And we are blessed by inviting Him into our finances.We put wisdom into practice when we save the next portion of our income. The savings we put away each month saves us from having to use costly credit and keeps us from too much debt.And if we do these two things, we will then be able to provide for our families well.

Like I said, God’s Word is practical, helpful, and for our good.Let’s pray for God’s help to Give, to Save, and to Live and provide well with His help.


God’s Gift to Believers

Good morning, [church name], now is the time in our worship service when we pause to give God a gift. Each week we give back to Him a portion of what He has blessed us with.

Today I’d like to ask you a question: What’s the best gift you ever received as a child?

Chances are that one gift stands out as special to you. Maybe it was a bike or a puppy. Perhaps it was something small and inexpensive, but it held so much meaning for you.

Sometimes gifts are memorable because of how valuable they are. But other times gifts are so valuable because of who gave them to us. If you have a gift that some close to you gave you before they passed away, you know how very precious a gift can be.

Today is the day that the church around the world celebrates the day that God gave believers in Jesus Christ a great gift. Before He went to the cross, Jesus promised that He would ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit to fill His followers. That’s what God did on Pentecost.

Now believers everywhere benefit from having the Holy Spirit of God living within us through our faith in Christ. Because of His powerful presence in our lives, Scripture comes alive when we read it in a way that it may not have before. We now have power over temptation and strength to endure anything the Lord allows for us to go through.

God has blessed His Church with a great gift, His power living within us. This is the same power that rose Jesus from the grave living within us. And He empowers us to live like Jesus lived.

If God loved us so much that He would give us this great gift, doesn’t that make you feel loved? The gifts that God promised in Scripture, and that He gives us through our faith in Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, are better than any other gifts we could ever receive.

When we give we fund the ministry that helps others believe and receive God’s best.Thank you for being a church that gives so that others may receive.Thank you for being a generous church.


How to Give

Good morning, [church name], now is the time in our service when we worship God by giving.

Each week at this time we give a little talk about generosity because God uses our growth in generosity to grow us spiritually and to fund the work of getting the Gospel to more people.

With over 2,000 verses in Scripture specifically dealing with money and possessions, including about 40% of Jesus’ parables, we have a treasure trove of inspiration for WHY we give.

But today I want to have a more practical talk with you.Rather than talk about WHY we give, I’d like to share with you HOW to give.

Sometimes when people come to the church and they see all the ministries we get to do they think that we must have some outside funding source that sends us money to run the church. The truth, however, is that our funding comes [primarily? solely? exclusively?] from the generosity of the generous people who call this church “home”.

They give to the ministry in a variety of ways.They give via check. Some give on Sunday. Others mail in a check during the week.Some people have their bank cut a check each week or each month so they don’t have to.Some people give cash while they are at the church.*Specifically point out where cash and checks are given. Are they put in the offering plate? Do you have a drop box? This may seem obvious, but you’d be shocked how helpful it can be.*If you provide offering envelopes, tell people how they can get them. Today more people than ever give electronically. You can give [on our website, by texting a gift to (555) 555-5555]. All of these online giving methods are safe and secure.

One way to give that some people have never thought of is giving gifts of stock.*If you haven’t already, partner with a financial professional, such as a financial advisor, who is a trusted friend of the church. They should be able to set up a brokerage account so that you can accept gifts of stock. People who receive stock options may give substantially this way.

No matter HOW you choose to give, I want you to know that we are so thankful you do.Thank you for finding a way to fund the ministry here at [church name].Your generosity is being used by God to change lives and eternities.


The Power of a Good Father

Good morning, [church name], and happy Father’s Day to all those Dads out there.

If you have a great Dad, you know how His influence in your life is a powerful force for good.And if you didn’t, then you know how we all long for and need to have a good Father.

Today, as we celebrate how God uses Dads in our lives, we thank God that He is our good Father and that He loves to give us His very best.

In Matthew 7 (NIV) Jesus says, 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Our Father in Heaven led by example when He sent us the best gift ever, His Son Jesus. He saw our greatest need and provided for our need to be saved at the great cost of Jesus’ life.

So many of the men of this church are living lives of selfless sacrifice for their families.Today let their example stand as a reflection of God the Father who they are mirroring.

Lots of people have different kinds of relationships with their fathers. But one thing we get to do as a church is to provide a community of believers that can serve as a second family to some. Men of God, when you walk with Jesus and serve in the church, you are stepping into a role that helps your family for sure. But it also helps those in this church who might need to see a man of God in action. We all need to see a man be faithful, love his children and walk in integrity.

When you give at [church name], you help provide ministries to children, teens, and adults who get to see the goodness of our Father in Heaven through the community of faith here.Thank you for being a generous church.


We’re Called to Live Free!

Good morning, [church name], I have good news for you!

As we turn our attention to worshiping God by giving, I want you to know that Jesus has set us free! What used to hold us down and hold us back now has no power over us. When Jesus rose from the grave, He forever broke the power that sin and selfishness used to have on us.

Isn’t it great news that, because of Jesus, we can live lives that are truly free?

All kinds of things are competing for our time, our attention, and first place in our heart.Even good things, like health or wealth, can become unhealthy obsessions for us.But Jesus warned us not to give first place in our hearts to anyone or anything but God.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24 (NIV)

Part of why giving has been a regular practice that’s been woven into our faith for thousands of years is that generosity combats greed. Giving is the spiritual discipline that puts our spiritual faith into tangible practice like no other. Greed tempts us to horde. Greed tempts us to give ourselves all the credit for our income. Generosity puts money in its place. Generosity quiets the voice of greed in our lives, telling money that it is our servant and that it will not be our master.

Each week when I give something shifts in my heart. When I give, I thank God for all He has supplied for me and I once again declare my dependence upon Him and His open hand. When I give, greed doesn’t stand a chance. When I give, I declare that God is my master, not money.

Today as you give I invite you to tell God that He is your one and only master.


Do You Want to be Free?

Good morning and Happy Independence Day weekend!

As we move into our time of worship by giving, I want to talk to you about freedom.We sure are thankful that we live in a country in which we can worship freely.

Because of Jesus Christ, believers can know what true spiritual freedom is. Jesus, the Son of God, lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and then rose from the grave, forever breaking the power that sin and death once had over us. Now through faith we can be truly free.

But living in the fullness of the freedom Jesus makes possible, and that God gives us access to through His Word, is not automatic. It doesn’t “just happen” by accident. God includes us, and our everyday decisions, in the process of us living in the freedom He has made available.

Whether we need God’s help to free us from addictions, past hurt, bad habits, or a mountain of financial debt, our first step toward freedom is us confessing to God that we need His help.

Jesus once met a man who was bound by debilitating paralysis for 38 years.In John 5 (NIV) Jesus asks this man a fascinating question:6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in thiscondition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

So I’ll ask you that same question: Do you want to live a life of increasing financial freedom?

Many people whose financial messes are keeping them from living free don’t ever think to go to God for help. They think, “This is the way my family has always lived.” But you don’t have to.

This month we’ll discover what God says in His Word about how we can become more free.Let’s begin by asking Him for help.Let’s pray.

[Lord Jesus, that man who was paralyzed for 38 years must have given up all hope of change. With the many challenges we’ve faced, including financial challenges, we need fresh hope too. Some of us have always been buried in debt. Our families have always struggled. Help us trust You and learn to live in Your ways in all of our lives, including financially. Please lead us to greater obedience and greater freedom. Amen.]


Know Your Business

Good morning, [church name], now is the time in our service when we honor God by giving to Him a portion of what He has blessed us with.

Last week we said that this month we’re looking at what God says in His Word about how we can intentionally move toward financial freedom.

We have to start at the start. Before we can move in a direction financially, we have to take the time to discover where we actually are.

There are many factors that influence your financial health. Some of those you cannot control, like the national economy or the company you work for shutting down. But you must take responsibility for what God has made your responsibility to manage. No one can do it for you.

In Proverbs 27 (NIV) we find this very direct advice:23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;24 for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in,26 the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.

While most people today don’t typically rely on flocks and herds for our income, the principle applies to us. Whatever our source of income; a job, a small business, investments or retirement funds, it is our job to know where our finances stand.

We usually know how much we’re earning. But not all of us are aware of how much we’re actually paying out monthly. If you don’t have a written plan for your money, then your money will make a plan to leave your possession before you can even realize you miss it.

My family’s financial plan begins with us giving to the Lord. Then each of our next most important priorities follow. Knowing where we are is the key to moving toward freedom. Let’s pray.


Debt Makes You A Slave

Good morning, [church name], now it is time for us to worship by giving.

One of the things I so appreciate about the Bible is that God has given us so much practical wisdom in the pages of this book. Some of what is contained in it is just so true, and so helpful, that anyone will benefit from reading them and making decisions based on what they say.

Proverbs 22:7 (NIV) is one of those verses. The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

Too many of us know that this is true because we’ve dealt with the restrictions debt puts on us. Some of you may feel that pinch now. Too much debt, sometimes for things we don’t need, limits our options. We can’t save for emergencies because we’re spending too much to maintain what we already owe. So any financial “speed bump” is a potential show stopper. We can’t pay off our mortgage faster because we’re burdened with consumer debt. We can’t save up for major purchases because we’re still paying for the last ones. This creates a vicious cycle of us going further into debt.

King Solomon was so right when he wrote, “the borrower is slave to the lender.”

But the good news is that God always gives us a way out of the tough spot. He does more than identify the problem. He always provided the solution as well.

Developing the discipline of giving is, believe it or not, one of the keys to financial freedom. When we give, God gets involved in our finances. When we develop the habit of giving Him our first and best, He empowers us to learn how to be wise managers of the rest.

As we give, our perspective about finances shifts. We begin to see money the way God does. We learn how to trust Him, not just with what we give, but with the whole of what we have.

Today I want to pray for all of us who would like to take a step toward financial freedom.[Father, whatever our income, we know that it is You who has provided for us. As we give today, we do so as an act of faith. For some of us, this gift doesn’t make any earthly sense. But we’re not after earthly sense. We need Your supernatural involvement in all of our finances. Teach us your ways. Help us get out of debt and move toward financial freedom one step at a time. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.]


FOCUS!

Good morning, [church name], now it’s time for us to honor God by giving Him an offering.

We so appreciate how you have been faithful to continue giving so far this Summer. Your giving matters to the ministry, and we do our very best to use every dollar given to God’s glory.

If you want to move toward financial freedom, then you will need an intentional plan to do so. God has given us so much wisdom in His Word, but it’s our job to put it into practice. So last week I encouraged us to, “Know the condition of your flocks” as it says in Proverbs 22.

Having and maintaining a written budget is a key element of moving toward financial freedom.

But just knowing what’s coming in and what’s going out does not move you in a direction. Today listen to the intense action required to reduce debt and increase our financial freedom.

1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,2 you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth.3 So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands:Go—to the point of exhaustion— and give your neighbor no rest!4 Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

This passage depicts the battle for financial freedom in life or death terms. That’s intense!

I’m not going to tell you that being in debt is going to kill you. But sure isn’t going to make you more free. If we each apply this kind of focus to getting out of debt, then we will over time become more free to give, save, and live the way God calls us to. We will benefit. Our families will benefit. And our church and the community we’re trying to reach will benefit.

Let’s pray for God to give us some intense motivation to get financially focused.


Stay Focused

Good morning, [church name], one of the things I love so much about the Lord is that every part of His plan for our lives leads to greater freedom for us. Even as we prepare to give an offering to the Lord, we know that His plan for our lives is always for our good and His glory.

Have you ever read a word that made you laugh out loud? “Sluggard” is one of those words for me. It’s an old word we don’t use anymore. If we did it might get us punched in the nose.

“Sluggard” means lazy person. One of the truths about us getting free financially is that it takes focused effort over time. People who get rich quickly often end up worse than they were before. But God’s encouragement to us is to diligently work to move in the direction of freedom.

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—11 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

The threat of poverty might be scary. But that shouldn’t be our primary motivation for working toward financial freedom. Getting out of debt, paying for purchases with cash… all of this is not so we can have more. It’s so we can do more with the freedom God makes possible. It’s so we can give more to those in need and share what He’s blessed us with with those in need.

If you’ll take God at His Word, make a plan, and then do the work to make the plan a reality, then God will help you with each step you take in the direction of greater financial freedom.

As we do this together, we’ll become a stronger church, more able to minister to those who are here and those we are trying to reach.Thank you for trusting God as you take each next step toward greater freedom.


God Rewards Generosity

Good morning, [church name], now it’s time for us to worship God by giving.

I want to begin by thanking you for your faithful giving throughout the Summer months. While we all take much-needed time to rest and vacation, so many of you have remembered that the church has bills 12 months a year. Your faithfulness to the Lord by giving is a blessing to us.

*If you have a live stream, this would be a great opportunity to address the camera directly. Thank them for giving even though they may be worshiping from a distance. Then take the opportunity to remind everyone of your online giving options and text-to-give options.

We are so thankful for your generosity because we see every week how God uses your giving to fund and fuel the ministries of this church. When you give, God does good things!

*This would be a great opportunity to celebrate any salvations, baptisms, or significant “wins” that you’ve had this Summer.

Just as we know that God uses our growth in generosity to do good things in the ministry, we also know that God uses our growth in generosity to grow us. Giving is a spiritual act. This is why it’s mentioned so often in Scripture. God uses tangible things, like money and possessions, to give us a tangible way to express our faith and align our priorities with His.

And while we will never tell you that, “We should give in order to get.” (That’s not Biblical.) We certainly see throughout Scripture that there definitely is blessing attached to generosity.

In 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV) the Apostle Paul says, Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

God pays attention to how we use what He’s given us. And He rewards those who are generous. What portion of that reward is here on earth and what portion is for Heaven? That’s up to God. But we can be assured that He is the rewarder of the faithful.

Thank you for trusting God by giving generously. May you also reap generously.


Don’t Give Up. Do Good!

Good morning, [church name], now it’s time for us to turn out attention to worshiping God by giving. This is the time in our service when we get to tangibly worship God by returning to Him a portion of what He has blessed us with.

Can I ask you an honest question? You might think I’m crazy for saying this, but have you ever added up how much money you’d have if you never gave your money away at church?

(Now, [Senior Pastor/Board Members] please don’t rush the stage. I have not lost my mind.)

In all seriousness, it’s an OK thing to do. It is absolutely acceptable for you to count the cost. We understand that you work hard for your money. And giving to the Lord can be costly. You may wonder if it’s worth it. If you’ve given for a long time, you may be tempted to give up on giving.

But God promises in His Word that we are not fools to give.

In Galatians 6 (NIV) the Apostle Paul writes, 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

When you give, God sees it. No matter how big or small, God sees each act of generosity. And even if we don’t see an immediate return, the seeds of generosity will flourish in God’s time.

God sees your faithfulness. And He is the rewarder of faithfulness. May God continue to strengthen and encourage you as you live out your commitment to doing good. He promises that you will reap a harvest if you do not give up.


Highlight Family Ministries

*This would be a great day to have your Family Ministries Director, Children’s or Student Ministry leader, or a dynamic volunteer join you on stage. Celebrate them and their ministry. Tell the church how hard they work on behalf of the children/teens/families of the church.

Good morning, [church name], today as we take time to worship by giving to God, I want to remind you that we’re headed toward that time parents love and kids may not.

This summer sure has gone fast, hasn’t it? Now, believe it or not, all of our families with children and teens are thinking about getting back into the rhythm of the school year.

What this means is that, in the coming weeks as families finish up vacations and we all get back into a more regular schedule, more children and teens will be returning to church.

In Matthew 19:14 (NIV) Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

At [church name] our ministries for children, teens and their families are a vital part of the church. The next generation of Jesus followers, the next generation of leaders in God’s church, are already in the building. And many more will be coming as more families are invited.

This Fall we want to be ready to receive new children and teens into the ministry. We hope that the children who attend will love it so much that they will drag their parents to church, and that the teens will want to invite their friends.

We simply could not provide these ministries without the faithful giving of God’s people. When you give, you don’t just keep the lights on and the pastor paid. You fuel the Gospel reaching the next generation. God uses your generosity to shape eternity for children, teens, and parents.

*If you’ve asked a Family Ministries leader to join you on stage, pray for God’s blessing on them, the other leaders who serve, and the children, teens and parents of the church.

Thank you for being a generous church.


Fall Ministry Season Preview

Good morning, [church name], now is the time in our worship service when we pause to worship God by giving.

Today I want to give you a preview of what we hope God will do through the ministry here.

We hope you will invite friends and families to the church that you’re praying for.When they arrive, we hope that they’ll hear and respond to the Good News about Jesus.We hope that their children and teens will have a great experience in our ministries, and that they will take the opportunity to join a group or attend a class, growing as disciples of Jesus.

*If you have new ministries or groups launching or relaunching for the Fall, highlight them.

This Fall we’re going to reach out to our community by __________*This is a great opportunity to highlight how you serve the poor or tangibly help people.If you don’t have a lot to highlight, phrase it as “We would like to ___ as God gives opportunity.”

The heart behind each of these ministries is for us to fulfill the Great Commission Jesus gave His first disciples. After Jesus rose from the grave, forever securing our forgiveness and power over sin, He said, “go and make disciples of all nations” Mt 28:19 - and that is our mission!

For 2,000 years the Good News about Jesus has spread all over the world by regular people whose lives have been transformed by our generous God of mercy and grace. Now we get to be part of this epic story. As we give, God uses our generosity to share His grace with others.

I’m so glad God’s grace has reached you. Thank you for sharing it with others by giving.Thank you for being a generous church.


Journey to Generosity - Part 1 of 6Why give?

Good morning, church family!

Now is the time when we turn our attention to worship by giving.

Let’s ask an honest question: Why should we give?

When you give, God does some really tangible things. Bills get paid. Ministry happens. God uses our financial gifts to do spiritual things in this world that will last forever in the world to come. That concept by itself is pretty wild. What a great motivation for us to give generously!

But God, in His wisdom, does even more than use our tangible gifts for spiritual purposes. He also does something inside of the giver when we give. As always, God is concerned about the internal, what’s happening inside of us. And He uses what happens through us to do a work within us.

This is apparent when we begin to see our generosity as a spiritual act.Giving isn’t just about money. It’s about faith. It’s about developing a heart like God’s.Giving is worship. It’s part of how God grows us to become more like Himself over time.

God is generous. And as we learn how to give generously, we become more like God. At [church name] we’d go so far as to say that giving is a vehicle God uses to move our faith forward.

In the coming weeks we’re going to explore how God grows us through our generosity one step at a time. Whether you’ve never given before, or you’ve been giving above and beyond the tithe for years, I promise you that God has a next step for your generosity that will grow your faith.

No matter where you are starting from in your journey to generosity, the end goal that God has in mind for you is that you become more like Him as you learn how to give.

I look forward to seeing what God will show us, and how He will grow us, in the coming weeks.Thank you for being a generous church.


Journey to Generosity - Part 2 of 6First Time Giver

Good morning, church!

Each week at this time in our worship we take a moment to talk about giving. Today I’d like to address a special group of people, those who are newer to [church name].

I just want to make sure that you know that we are so glad you’ve come to church today. We hope that you’ll find a church home here, and that we’ll get to grow together for years to come. Welcome!

I especially want to talk directly to those of you who have not yet given here before. But don’t worry. I’m not going to twist your arm or make it weird. We don’t do that here.

In fact, I just want to say, “I get it.” Deciding to give is a very important step for a lot of reasons.

One thing I know is that no one gives by accident. Money never just falls out of our wallets and into the hands of a worthy cause. Giving your hard-earned money is an important decision, and it’s one that we hope you take your time to consider.

Of course I think that [church name] is a great place to give. But it’s not just because I’m part of the ministry team. I love what we get to do! For example:

• Every Sunday we get to experience God’s presence together in music and in the Word.• In [ministry 2] our dedicated volunteers [what ministry does].• And in [ministry 3] we get to help [population ministry helps].

These are the kinds of things our giving makes possible. That’s why I, and so many other people who call this church home, give so that we can see lives changed by Jesus Christ.

Finally, if you ever have any questions about who we are, what our ministries do, or how we handle money responsibly, we are always open to your questions.

Thank you for considering contributing to what God is doing through [church name].


Journey to Generosity - Part 3 of 6Intentional Giver

Hello [church name], my name is [name] and I’m so glad we get to worship together today. We’re going to continue our worship by giving to God part of what He has blessed us with.

One of the things we believe with all of our hearts is that God grows each of us one next step at a time. One of the ways He grows us is by leading us to be more like Him by being generous.

Today I’d like to talk to those of us who may have given to [church name] before, but haven’t yet made your giving intentional. It’s still kind of random, like, “I’ll give whatever’s in my pocket.” If there’s some money left at the end of the month, maybe I’ll give a little more. But if I had a surprise expense this week, maybe a little less. I get it. And God gets it too.

Every gift is precious to God, regardless of the size. But I want to suggest that planning what you’re going to give ahead of time is a significant next step with powerful effects.

Something changes when we begin to consider how much we’re going to give before we give it.

For one thing, it means you’re thinking about God at a time outside of this hour of worship. That is huge because God is thinking about you all the time and He wants to be on your mind daily.

Also, when you decide to give intentionally, no matter what the amount, something significant happens. Something shifts inside of you, the giver. All of a sudden, you become a contributor to all the things God is doing here to change the lives and eternies of men, women and children in this community. And the next time you attend church, it will feel just a little different because when you give, [church name] goes from being “their church” to being “our church.”

And [church name] will definitely be better, and stronger, when this is OUR church.


Journey to Generosity - Part 4 of 6Proportional Giver

Good morning church family!

I’m really excited for us to move into our time when we worship by giving because this is about so much more than us funding the ministries of [church name]. Giving is a spiritual act. And as we grow in generosity, God stretches and grows our faith one next step at a time.

Today I want to speak directly to those who have been giving intentionally to the church. You’ve gone beyond where you began, giving randomly from what was left over in your finances. You’ve been planning ahead what you’re going to give. What a significant step that’s been.

Now I want to point out a big next step: Proportional giving. That means you not only plan your giving, but you tie your giving to a percentage of your income. You give in proportion to how God has blessed you.

The first time you gave, that was a huge step for you spiritually. Something changed that day.If you then began planning ahead, regularly giving $10 or $20 a week, that was another step.If you’re like most people, you probably gave based on what you thought you could afford, or maybe your giving has been related to how you feel about God and the church.

Now if you take the next step of tying your giving to a percentage of your income, you’re going to experience another level of this being worship.

No matter what percentage you start with, when we begin to give in proportion to how God has blessed us, connect the dots between our income and God providing for us.

Sure, we all work hard for our money. But the talents we were born with, the opportunities we’ve had, even our jobs and our income, are all given to us by God.

Proportional giving is a significant step in our giving becoming worship.

Please let me pray for you as you consider your next step in generosity.


Journey to Generosity - Part 5 of 6Prioritized Giver

Good morning, [church name]!My name is [name] and I’m going to lead us into our time of worship by giving.

First, I want to say thank you to all of you who have taken a next step in your generosity lately. When you give, you break greed’s hold on you and God uses your gifts to bless other people.

Today I want to talk about a next step that you may have heard about: Prioritized giving.

You may have heard about prioritized giving by another, more “churchy” name: The tithe.

If you’ve been to church quite a bit, you may remember the first time you heard the word “tithing” and thought, “What’s that?” I totally understand. I’ve never heard the word used outside of a church context.

Tithe simply means “tenth” and in Scripture the standard for giving is one tenth of our income. But not just any tenth. What we see modeled in the Bible is giving the first tenth to the Lord.

Whatever God blesses us with, we honor Him when we give a significant portion to Him. When we give Him the first tenth of our income, we signal to Him, and to ourselves, that we are prioritizing God above everything else in our lives.

This is a radical reordering of our lives and our priorities. What God promises numerous times in the Bible is that the tithe invites God’s blessing in our lives by affirming His lordship in our finances. Giving God the first tenth of our income is an exercise in trust with every paycheck.

If you think this is crazy, just talk to one of our folks who tithe. Whether they just started, or they’ve been tithing for decades, I am certain they’ll have stories to tell you about how God has proven His faithfulness and poured out His blessings again and again.

Let’s pray for the faith to take this next step.


Journey to Generosity - Part 6 of 6Generous Giver

Good morning, [church name]!Now is the time in our service when we get to worship God through our giving.

These past weeks have been a faith-stretching time for so many of us who have responded to God by taking a next step in our journey to generosity.

Whether you’ve chosen to give for the first time, started to give intentionally, tied your giving to a proportion of your income, or prioritized God in your finances by tithing the first tenth, thank you.

We know the faith that it takes to trust God with your finances because we are givers too. We want you to discover what we’ve discovered, that each next step we take grows our faith.

Today I want to challenge a group of people who don’t often get challenged in the church. I’d like to talk for a moment to those of you who tithe, who prioritize the first tenth of your income, giving it to the Lord.

I guess before I challenge you I should thank you, because we simply could not do what we get to do at [church name] without the regular, consistent giving of those who prioritize God by giving. But I also don’t want you to be left out of the opportunity for God to grow your faith.

I used to think that tithing was the end, the termination point, for our growth in generosity. That is not the case. In fact, what we see in Scripture and what countless Christians have discovered through the ages is that the tithe is the baseline for generosity. It is giving to God what is required. It’s important because it affirms His lordship, His ownership, over all we have.

But generosity beyond the tithe is where God leads us into uncharted waters of faith.

Next week we’re going to begin talking about how to hear from God about generosity.I look forward to discovering what God has for us. Let’s pray.


Why Give - Part 1 of 5Introduction

Good morning, [church name]!

One of the things we’re passionate about here is explaining the “why” behind the “what”. As we turn our attention to what we call “worship in giving” we want you to know that there are good reasons for us to give.

If you didn’t grow up in church, you may now know that giving is actually a spiritual act. It’s easy for us to mistake giving for a financial transaction. We work hard for the money we earn. So in our minds it’s easy to think of giving like we would think of any other regular expense.

But when we look at what God says, we discover that giving is altogether different than paying a bill. The tithe (giving the first tenth of your income to God) is not a “church tax.” Rather, giving is a spiritual practice that God uses to shape us into more selfless, more generous people.

People who have met Jesus understand that all generosity starts with God. He has given us the best gift ever: salvation. Grace is a free gift we can only accept through faith.

Giving is our response to God’s grace. When we give, our hearts, filled with gratitude, want to give back to God a portion of what He has blessed us with. It is our opportunity to show God that He is first in our lives and that He is the owner of our finances by giving back to Him the first of what He has given to us.

The Bible teaches that we should (1) Give Regularly, (2) Give Proportionally, (3) Give Sacrificially, and (4) Give Cheerfully. We’re going to talk about that in the coming weeks.

For now I want to thank you for worshiping God by your giving.Your response to God is what funds the ministries of this church. Thank you!


Why Give - Part 2 of 5Give Regularly

Good morning, [church name], I hope you’ve enjoyed our time in worship so far. It’s so good to gather together to worship God. And it’s important we do this often. We need the strength we gain when we get together with other Christians. We need the encouragement that comes from the relationships we develop in the church with other believers.

God created us to worship together regularly. And part of what He intends is for us to give regularly. As we prepare to bring our tithes and offerings today, I’d like to talk about that a bit.

1 Corinthians 16:2 says, “On the first day of each week , you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.”

One of the things I enjoy about giving is that it’s a weekly act. Every time I look at my weekly budget I have an opportunity to give to God. The first category in my budget, the first place money is allocated in my household, is to God. Why? Does God need the money? No.

But I need the reminder that everything I have, 100% of what I earn and 100% of what I have accumulated, is all a gift. Yes, I work hard for what I have. You do too. But when we get really honest we have to confess that it’s God that gives us the ability to earn. He gives us the opportunity to work, to invest, and to have even more than we need.

When we give regularly we ensure that we look at what we have as a gift from God. It all belonged to Him in the beginning. It’s all going to belong to Him now. Giving regularly reminds us that it all belongs to Him now as well.

Let’s thank God for all He has blessed us with. (Pray)


Why Give - Part 3 of 5Give Proportionally

Good morning, [church name], today I want to thank you for believing God. As we prepare to return to God a portion of what He has blessed us with, I want you to know that we understand that giving takes faith.

When we look at God’s Word, we see that tithing is the standard for giving. Christians around the world practice giving the first tenth of their income to the Lord. The great thing about tithing is that it’s proportional. God didn’t set an amount for us to give. He set a ratio. So if you have little, you give less. And if you have more, you give more. But the ratio is the same.

By giving this portion, we are reminded that the whole of what we have is from God. It’s all His.

I’ve heard people say, “Tithing is part of the Old Testament Law. Christians don’t have to do that because we’re under grace.”

I understand why someone might think that. But technically tithing started when Abraham gave a tenth of his income to the priest Melchizedek. That happened before the Law existed.

And Jesus had something to say about tithing in the New Testament. Some people who loved being “technically correct” were missing the point of God’s ways.

In Matthew 23:23 Jesus says, “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law – justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.”

The Lord isn’t looking for mindless discipline. He wants our whole heart to obey Him joyfully. When we give to God proportionally, we are regularly reminded to keep our hearts focused on Him.

Let’s ask Him to change our hearts as we give to Him today.


Why Give - Part 4 of 5Give Sacrificially

Good morning, [church name], as we turn our attention to worshiping God by giving, I want to tell you about the person who really impressed Jesus with their giving.

Think about that for a moment. Scripture tells us that all of creation was made through Jesus. Everything that exists was made by Him and for Him. So what gift could possibly impress Him?

One day Jesus was in the temple. He was actually standing there watching the worshipers put their offerings into the containers that they went into. As Jesus saw different people bring different gifts to the Lord as part of their worship, one gift made him take notice.

Mark 12:43-44, “Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.’”

Wow. So the gift that impressed Jesus had nothing to do with it’s raw value. It had to do with how precious, how valuable, the gift was to the giver. The people who put large amounts into the Temple treasury that day gave out of their abundance. But this poor widow trusted God so much even though she had so little.

Others gave out of their excess, but that wasn’t her concern. She gave what she had.

Isn’t it great to know that the Lord doesn’t compare your giving with someone else’s?

God knows what you’ve got because He’s given you all you have. Today I want to encourage you to stop comparing your giving with anyone else’s, or your opinion of what others should give based on what they have. Trust God. Give according to how He has blessed you. And, if your faith is as great as this poor woman’s, I dare you to give to God a sacrificial gift.


Why Give - Part 5 of 5Give Cheerfully

Good morning, [church name]!

Right now we get to give God an offering.

Did you realize that giving is a “Get to” rather than a “Have to”?

If your giving is not a source of joy, that may indicate a problem. Something might be “off”.

If giving an offering to God is just a task, you’re doing it wrong. In fact, this is so Biblical that I’d say, if giving is a “Have to” for you, and there is no joy in it, then maybe you should stop giving. (Maybe I should have checked with our Senior Pastor / Board before I said this. haha)

But seriously, God has no interest in long-faced giving. He doesn’t want worship to be a chore. God enjoys our joyful worship. It’s music to His ears. And that includes our worship in giving.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 says, “Remember this – a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your own heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

If giving has become just a rote task for you, or if you’ve been discouraged somehow, please allow me to remind you that God loves a cheerful giver. He really does. When someone gives you a gift on your birthday, you don’t want it to be given reluctantly or resentfully.

If there’s something in your heart that is spoiling your giving, or keeping you from giving cheerfully, let’s as the God we’re giving to to do a work in your heart and your life.

Everything God created is for our good and His glory. Let’s ask Him to make our giving joyful.


Give Thanks

Good morning, [church name], this coming week is the busiest travel week of the year. Whether you’re going to celebrate Thanksgiving with family across the country, with friends across town, or right in your own home, I hope that you will make this an intentionally thankful week.

Today as we give God our tithes and offerings, let’s do that with a thankful heart.I’d like to do something a bit different in our Offering time. I’d like to read a short Psalm.

Psalm 100 (NIV) says,1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

We have done that today as we’ve worshiped.

3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

When we open up God’s Word together, we know that the Lord is God, and we are His.

Finally, the Psalmist says,4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Before we head into the holiday season, let’s commit to thanking God every day this week. Rather than waiting until we pray for our Thanksgiving meal, let’s begin thanking God now.

Let’s thank God for the blessings He’s poured out on us this year.Let’s thank God for His faithfulness through the trials we’ve been through.Let’s thank Him for the many ways He has provided for us.And let’s thank God for how we get to share with others.Today as we give, let’s not just give money. Let’s give thanks to God together. Let’s pray.


Forgive & Give

Good morning, [church name]. I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving. I hope that you go to share a table with some people you love and that you are overflowing with thanks.

But can we also be real for a moment? I’ve been around long enough, and I’ve known so many different families, that I also understand that Thanksgiving can be a source of tension too. We all love our families. But getting together with people you only see once a year can be tricky.

Maybe you were fortunate enough to make it all the way through dessert without anyone bringing up politics or… well… you know the topics that tend to spoil a Thanksgiving dinner.

Sometimes interactions with the people we love go great. Other times not so much. It’s a good thing that Jesus equipped us with a giving attitude. In fact, He says we should be quick to forgive.

Right after talking about forgiveness, in Luke 6:38 (NIV) Jesus even said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Jesus calls us to be generous in all things: relationships that need forgiveness, enemies that need kindness, and even the very practical, tangible things of this world, like money.

If Thanksgiving made both your belly and your heart full, then we praise God with you.But if it created a hunger in you for more of what Jesus gives, then you’re in good company.

We sure are thankful that you’re a part of this church. And we are thankful for how you continue to give generously. We could not do what we do here without your generous giving.

Thank you for being a generous, and forgiving, and giving, church.


Time to Make an Impact

Good morning, [church name].

Now is the time when we turn our attention to worshiping God by giving.

Believe it or not, Christmas is just three weeks from today.

Parents, don’t panic. There’s still time to shop for that perfect gift for your children.Husbands, you have 19 or 20 days before you have to begin shopping. (haha)

Seriously, I hope that you spend a little time planning for gifts for the people you love.Whether or not you really like shopping, selecting the gift is part of the giving process.Taking the time and effort to think through what someone would like is a way to love them.

In the same way, when we take the time to choose what we give to the Lord, it honors God.As we approach the end of the year, it’s a great time for us to consider what we’ve been giving.

When the Father sent the Son from Heaven to Earth, He enacted the plan that He had in mind since before the beginning of time. The best gift ever had been given tremendous thought.

Just as our loved ones don’t want us to click some random Amazon link for their Christmas gift, the Lord loves it when we take the time to consider what we bring to Him as a gift.

Whether you’re considering giving for the first time, deciding to regularly give a certain percentage of your income, or thinking about making a special end of year gift, it matters.

There is still time this year to make a significant impact in the ministry with your giving.In this season of generosity, I hope that you’ll pray about what the Lord would have you do.

When God asks us to take a next step in generosity, we take a next step in faith.Thank you for trusting Him. Thank you for being such a generous church.


He First Loved Us

Good morning, [church name].

Now is the time when we turn our attention to worshiping God by giving.

Christmas is the perfect time for us to talk about our motivation for giving.

John, who was known as “The Apostle of Love,” said, “We love because he first loved us.” John 4:19 (NIV).

As we approach the celebration of Jesus’ birth, we are reminded that the greatest gift ever given in the history of the world was wrapped up and delivered with us in mind.

Jesus wasn’t wrapped in fancy baby clothes when He was born. But He was royalty.The King of the Universe was born in a humble stable.

Jesus didn’t enjoy growing up in a palace even though He was the Son of the Most High God.

The miracle of Jesus’ birth, and His life, is that He was content with being ordinary.But the miracle of His great gift to us, His life given on the cross as payment for our sins, shows just how very extraordinary He is. Jesus’ resurrection put the exclamation point on this fact.

Now that we get to have Jesus living inside of us through faith, we get to give others the most generous gift that has ever been presented to us. When we give, God uses our gifts to give new life to the people this church reaches.

Because people gave generations ago, the Gospel found us.Because we are generous today, [church name] gets to reach this generation and beyond.

In this season of generosity I want to thank you for your faithful regular giving. And as you consider whether you’d like to give a special end of year gift, I want to thank you for sharing the gift you’ve been given with others.

This month and all year long I am thankful for your generosity.Thank you for being a generous church.


Unwrap the Gift

Good morning, [church name]. Now it’s time for us to worship God by bringing Him a gift.

Just one week from today we’ll be celebrating Christmas. [If you haven’t already, tell the church what your worship service plans are for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.]

Let me ask you a question: If someone gives you a gift for Chrisstmas, what will you do with it? • Will you just say, “Thank you” and then put that gift in your closet for next year?• Will you shake it, tap the box, then decide whether you want to keep it or give it away?

NO! You won’t do any of that. You’ll do what we do with a gift: You’ll open it and enjoy it!

Just as in all other aspects of our faith, generosity has to be experienced to be enjoyed.

All through the Bible we have example after example of how God uses our generosity to bless others and to grow us spiritually. But it’s not enough for us to read about generosity in Scripture. We are called to do it, to be generous. Only then will we experience the joy of generosity.

This time of year I hope you’re anticipating getting a gift or two. But even more I hope that you’re looking forward to the smile you see on someone else’s face when you give them a gift.

This year the gifts you have given have provided life-changing ministry to the men, women, and children who call [church name] home. And your gifts have propelled the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ out into our community through [outreach ministry] and even to the ends of the earth through [missions focus].

Many people celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmas. And they should. Jesus is the best gift ever! But by the way you show how you’re celebrating the gift of Jesus all year long.

Thank you for being a generous church.


Giving is a Gift

Option 1: If you ARE receiving an offering on Christmas EveGood Evening and Merry Christmas Eve! My name is [name] and I’m [one of our pastors/leaders] here at [church name]. Thank you so much for worshiping with us tonight.

Now is the time when we turn our attention to worshiping God by giving. On Christmas Eve there’s a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. It’s been growing all month long. Every child you meet is wide-eyed on Christmas Eve because they’re anticipating what gifts they’ll open.

Meanwhile, Moms and Dads, Grandpas and Grandmas have all learned a little secret.

Acts 20:35 (NIV) lets us in on the mystery: the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive” Every year I understand a little bit more what Jesus meant. At the end of the year, as I look back at how He has blessed me, I realize how much He loves giving.

When we give, we get to experience a little slice of what Jesus did when He gave to us. What a wonderful Savior we serve. We will forever be grateful for what He gave. Thank you for being a generous church, not just at Christmas time, but all year long.

[Be sure to remind people about whether or not you’re having worship on Christmas morning.]

Option 2: If you are NOT receiving an offering on Christmas EveGood Evening and Merry Christmas Eve! My name is [name] and I’m [one of our pastors/leaders] here at [church name]. Thank you so much for worshiping with us tonight.

This is usually the time in our worship service when we receive an offering.

This is a special service, so we don’t receive an offering. Instead we just wanted to take a moment to let you know how thankful we are for your generosity. The folks who call [church name] home have given so generously this year. God has used your generosity to provide for our ministries all year long, and we are so very thankful that you give year round.

Thank you for being a generous church, not just at Christmas time, but all year long.

[Be sure to remind people about whether or not you’re having worship on Christmas morning.]


Christmas Day - A Gift Like No Other

Merry Christmas, [church name]!

Now is the time in our worship service when we give our gifts to the Lord.

Before we do, I want to thank you for giving us the gift of worshiping with us today.It is pure joy to share this very special Christmas Sunday with you.

Can you think of one gift in particular that you have received that meant a lot to you?Maybe it’s something you received today. Or maybe it’s a gift that stood out from your childhood.[Optional: Tell a one-sentence story about a memorable gift you received.]

It’s a wonderful thing to give and receive gifts with the people we love most.But I can’t think of any better reason to worship than to celebrate the gift God has given us.

Throughout history the Lord had sent many messengers to call people back to Himself. But when the fullness of time came, He finally sent His own Son into the world to save sinners.

When God sent His Son, Jesus, He sent us His very best. He held nothing back.Because God sent us a gift like no other, we in turn become generous towards Him.

Your generosity has reflected the generosity of the Lord so well this year.

Because you have given, this year we have been able to [give a brief highlight reel of what the church got to do in 2022, especially salvations, baptisms, and compassionate ministries]. God has used your gifts to bless so many people this year, and we look forward to what He is going to do in 2023. We have a lot to look forward to.

For those of you who want to make sure that you give this calendar year for tax purposes, I wanted to let you know that you still have a few days to do so.

Thank you so much for being a generous church. Merry Christmas!

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