In the coming months, news headlines will constantly bombard people with scary news about the impact of the fiscal cliff.  God can use this felt need as a spiritual kairos moment and catalyst for churches to teach people God's Word on finances and generosity. 

5 WAYS TO SHARE GOD'S WORD TO LIFT PEOPLE'S FINANCES & GIVING

Here are 5 things churches can do to bring people's God's Word to people to bring them God's solutions, feed their souls, and replace people's financial fears into a faith that there is a God that can provide!

#1 - Share a GENEROSITY VERSE OR STORY every week when collecting the offering: Each week choose a verse to put on your screen or in your bulletin.  Have the person praying for the offering read the verse and then pray about what it says. 

#2 - Give out FINANCIAL BOOKMARKS OR PAMPHLETS.  Written materials that encourage people to build their finances and giving on Biblical teaching can be a great help to many families.  See sample bookmark.

#3 - Share a GENEROSITY TEACHING Video once-a-month. ECFA and MAXIMUM Generosity has produced the "WISE GIVING Q&A" Video series to provide 1-2 minute answers to commonly asked questions about giving. These videos can be inserted in an email, eNewsletter, or on your website.  These videos are available at http://www.kluth.org/Questions-on-charitable-giving-tithing-donations.htm.

#4 - Distribute 30 or 40 Day Generosity Devotionals.  In recent years thousands of churches have given out copies of 30 or 40 day generosity devotionals to the families in their churches.  These devotionals are available through my ministry and a variety of other financial ministries.  The genius of using devotionals is that they are designed to be used in people's homes so the Word of God on finances and generosity can be read and discussed among couples and families.  These conversations lead to life-changing transformational decisions for many families.  Many of these devotionals have videos and companion materials that can also be used in the worship services and small groups.  Lots of churches have reported double-digit giving increases as families have become excited and committed to honoring God with their finances and giving.

#5 - Preach a Financial/Generosity Series.  There are 2,350 verses in the Bible on finances, generosity, and material possessions.  So, God must want these truths taught to his people.  While some pastors are comfortable preparing messages on this topic, others are not.  Some churches will also use guest speakers (outside of the church or inside of the church) to help deliver this message or series.

With these proven ideas and resources in hand, you can allow God to use the bad Fiscal Cliff news to deliver God's Good News to your congregation this winter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: PASTOR BRIAN KLUTH is a contributing blogger to ChurchCentral.com.  He is the bestselling author of 30 & 40 Day www.GenerousLife.org Bible devotionals that have been used by over 3000 churches to inspire generosity and increase giving.  He is the founder of the www.MAXIMUMgenerosity.org website and eNewsletter of church stewardship resources, tools, and training for pastors and church leaders.  Brian's national STATE OF THE PLATE RESEARCH on church giving and generosity work has been featured on CNN, CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, CNN, USA Today, Washington Times, and thousands for radio stations and newspapers.