It’s not that hard to raise money. That’s not the hard part of generosity and giving. The real challenge is transforming the hearts of givers. And that should always be our goal.
As we reflect on Easter and the resurrection of Jesus, it’s the perfect time to remind people of why we give. Easter is the ultimate example of sacrificial love—and our response to the gospel is a life marked by worshipful giving.
Too often, our conversations around generosity focus almost entirely on where the money goes—to a project, a budget, a building. That’s not inherently wrong, but in the American Church, it accounts for about 95% of our language around giving. Only a small fraction of our messaging centers on where giving comes from—the transformed heart of a surrendered Christ follower.
Start by Focusing on One Verse
If we could truly embrace just one verse when talking about generosity, it would be a game changer. It comes from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, where he thanks his early supporters in Philippians 4:17:
“Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.”
In other words: “It’s not what we want from you—it’s what we want for you.”
Sadly, while many churches say this, their systems, structures, and messaging often imply otherwise. The result is a disconnect between intention and perception. Easter may be over, but we now have the opportunity to keep reorienting our posture toward the heart—not just the outcome—of giving.
Think of it like this: on Easter Sunday, you probably didn’t just prop open the doors. You had people there to greet guests, offer a smile, and create connection. That human interaction matters. It creates an atmosphere for transformation.
That same principle applies to how we approach generosity. When we frame giving as deeply personal and worshipful—rather than merely transactional—we open the door for true transformation. And Philippians 4:17 is a beautiful place to start that shift.
Bringing the Focus Back to Transformed Hearts
Generous churches are led by generous pastors. It starts with the pastor, then moves through the staff and leadership, building concentric circles of influence throughout the church.
But let’s be honest: many pastors hesitate to talk about money because it so often feels like the conversation is only about where it goes. We’re missing the story—the why—behind the giving.
And that story starts with you.
Have you ever shared your own giving journey with your staff? For many pastors, the answer is no. So let’s start there. Share your story—where you struggled, how your thinking evolved, what God taught you. That vulnerability sets the tone for your staff and leaders to do the same.
From there, challenge your staff, elders, and key leaders to reflect on and share their giving stories. Give them a few weeks to prepare. Let them process. And then let them speak. That intentional time helps shift generosity from concept to conviction—through story.
And don’t just share the highlight reel. Share the struggles. The moments of doubt. The hard steps. That kind of honesty resonates with people in your church who are still trying to figure it out.
Finding and Sharing Giving Stories
If you feel like stories are hard to come by, here’s what I’ve learned: once you start telling them, you begin to see them everywhere. They start to show up in conversations, testimonies, and small group discussions. They’re already in your church—you just need to start listening.
And remember: sharing giving stories isn’t about celebrating ourselves. It’s about giving glory to God for something that’s often difficult to navigate. These stories offer hope, encouragement, and a pathway for others to begin their own journey toward joyful, sacrificial giving.
Don’t Miss the Giving Moment—Even After Easter
Every week, churches get about two minutes for a “giving moment.” And what we say during those two minutes matters—a lot.
This is especially true the week after Easter. People have just experienced a powerful reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice. They’re listening. Their hearts are open. And this is a prime opportunity to bring clarity and transformation into how we talk about generosity.
If someone is going to speak during the giving moment, they need to have a giving story. That’s not a rule—it’s wisdom. When someone understands the why behind generosity in their own life, they’ll be far more effective at inviting others into it.
Think of the giving moment like a two-minute sermon. Make it intentional. Make it personal. Build trust by telling stories of what happens when people give in your church.
Whether it’s Easter Sunday or any Sunday after, every moment is an opportunity to either build trust or lose it. Let’s use this season—post-Easter—to renew our commitment to cultivating heartfelt, gospel-driven generosity.
We give because Jesus gave everything for us. That message never goes out of season.
To hear more from Jim Sheppard on cultivating a culture of generosity in your church, check out the Next Sunday podcast on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.