How to Tailor Your Stewardship Message to Different Audiences
Stewardship is for Everyone—But Everyone Hears It Differently
When we talk about stewardship in church, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking one message will connect with everyone. But the truth is, the people sitting in your pews aren’t all coming from the same place. They’ve got different backgrounds, financial situations, and life experiences. If we want to really disciple people well when it comes to biblical stewardship, we’ve got to learn how to communicate in a way that actually lands with the people we’re talking to.
In this article, we’ll unpack why it matters to know your audience—and how you can shape your message so it hits home with everyone in the room.
Why Knowing Your Audience Matters
The core principles of stewardship—God owns it all, we’re called to manage it, and we’re invited to live generously—apply to every one of us. But how people receive that message? That depends a lot on where they’re coming from.
Think about the variety in your church:
• Young families drowning in debt
• Empty nesters thinking about retirement
• Single adults figuring out financial independence
• High-capacity givers who want to make a real Kingdom impact
• Brand-new believers who’ve never heard what the Bible says about money
If you try to communicate stewardship with a one-size-fits-all approach, some people will get it—but others might tune out. But when you take time to understand who’s listening, you can make the message relatable, personal, and meaningful.
How to Make Your Stewardship Message Connect
Here are four simple ways to tailor how you talk about stewardship:
1. Know Who You’re Talking To
Before you teach or share, take a moment to consider who’s in the room:
• What stages of life are represented?
• What financial realities are they facing?
• Are there cultural or generational factors that shape how they think about money?
Pro Tip: Don’t assume everyone’s in the same boat. Some people might be living paycheck to paycheck; others may be wondering how to leave a legacy. Ask questions. Listen to their stories. The better you know your congregation, the better you can meet them where they are.
2. Use Real-Life Examples
People connect with stories they can see themselves in. So, tailor your examples to the audience in front of you:
• Talking to young families? Share about the challenge of budgeting for diapers and student loans.
• Speaking to older adults? Talk about what stewardship looks like in retirement.
• Addressing high-capacity givers? Share how radical generosity can make a long-term Kingdom impact.
The more specific and real your examples are, the more your message will resonate.
3. Keep It Simple (But Meaningful)
Fancy financial terms or churchy language can leave people feeling lost. Break things down into clear, everyday language—without watering down the truth.
For example:
Instead of saying, “We’re encouraging fiduciary responsibility in the body of Christ,”
Say, “God calls us to wisely manage what He’s entrusted to us.”
Plain, honest language helps people actually hear the heart behind the message.
4. Give Everyone a Next Step
No matter where someone is in their financial journey, help them take a next step. That could look like:
• Inviting first-time givers to take their first intentional step of generosity.
• Offering a budgeting workshop for families trying to stretch every dollar.
• Challenging seasoned givers to explore radical generosity and deeper trust.
When you give people a clear, practical next step, you’re helping them move forward in their discipleship journey.
Stewardship is Personal
At the end of the day, tailoring your stewardship message isn’t about strategy—it’s about people. Stewardship isn’t just about dollars and cents. It’s about discipleship. It’s about the heart.
When you recognize the different stories, struggles, and circumstances in your church and communicate in a way that honors those differences, you create space for God to work.
The goal isn’t to get everyone to give the same amount. It’s to help everyone grow in faith, freedom, and joyful generosity.
👉 Learn more about CSN Membership and start building a thriving stewardship ministry today.
For Further Reading
How to Create Giving Moments that Inspire Generosity in Your Church
How to Create and Communicate a Clear Vision for Your Stewardship Ministry
A New (and Surprisingly Simple) Tool to Encourage Connection and Generosity
Top 4 Church Giving Trends from the 2024 Generosity Report (And What to Do About Them)
From Stewardship to Generosity: How to Create a Culture of Giving in Your Church
Stewardship: The Heart of True Discipleship
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