So the economy stinks. Chances are people in your church congregation have felt the hit. So when it comes to asking for cash, church leaders these days are likely feeling guiltier than usual about it.

Flashes of televangelists hawking prayer towels or crosses for contributions have definitely tainted today's preachers with a disproportionate fear of mentioning money. Seeker-friendliness has played its part it making churches hesitant to ask anything of church goers. In such environments, they are more likely to seek consumer-oriented services than initiation into a faith that serves others. 

And all the while—bad economy not withstanding—the most-ignored and least-practiced spiritual gift is that of generosity. Remember Romans 12: 6-8, "According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the standard of faith; if service, in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness." (HCSB) Christians have whole magazines devoted to some of these gifts. But what about believers whose gift is giving? Are they being encouraged to use their gift and to be generous?

Pastor Brian Kluth has written and spoken extensively on the topic of generosity in churches. He advocates teaching stewardship in a biblically wholistic way to believers who should consider what they do with their money as an integral part of their faith. He offers hundreds of resources for church leaders interested in teaching generosity.

A different mindset

However, a different mindset may be the tool necessary to shift church leaders from their money shyness to a position in which giving is seen as an important part of discipleship.

I don’t think you can really understand the riches that you possess in Christ until you start giving away your "stuff" and your cash. Otherwise, you are only on the receiving end (constantly)—which makes you one of the poor people you’re supposed to be taking care of.

Some of the poorest Christians in the Bible understood this. Talk about bad economy and job lay-offs, but instead of wanting a handout or a bail out, they wanted to give. "Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity," (2 Corinthians 8:2 NIV).

I don’t think it was easy. It’s not easy for me and it won’t be easy for your church. But don't ask them (and your silent complacency is an expectation) to do nothing beyond placing 10 or 20 bucks in the offering plate each week.  For most people that’s a sacrifice that costs nothing—and that’s worthless.