I believe in tithing. Soon after joining my first church as an adult, I received a membership packet, which included a statement about giving. It read, "As a member of this church, you agree to support this ministry through your regular tithes and offerings."

"I've looked over your spending, and I have found the reason for your financial problems. It's your house. You bought a house that's too expensive, and the way to fix your financial situation is to sell your house and find cheaper housing." That was my advice to the very first couple I counseled. I know what you're thinking, and you're right. They didn't want to hear it, and they didn't come back for the next appointment.

We’ve all heard about extravagant acts of generosity. Some are quite incredible, which makes me wonder whether these people are uniquely gifted or just plain crazy? Come on, I know I’m not the only one who’s thought this! So, what does real generosity look like? How much do I have to give, and how will I know when I’m really generous?

Have you ever given a financial gift to your church or a ministry and then regretted it? You're not alone. Giving is one of the most challenging disciplines and can reveal our hearts better than most things. Giving is one of God's ways of helping us become more like Him, and often the most significant personal growth comes when we get it wrong.

Just because something is popular or admired doesn't make it good or right. One of the most famous tourist attractions in the world is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. What makes it an interesting attraction is that it was built on a poor foundation, which is causing it to lean to this day. Although it's become famous for tourists, it doesn't change the truth that this is a clear example of failure, what happens when an improper foundation is laid.

Have you ever been convicted by the words of your mouth? Have you ever said something and immediately heard a voice say to you, "That's true, so why is it that you're not living like it?" Sometimes the most powerful convictions and most profound revelations are initiated by the words we speak.

Biblical stewardship is a phrase we don't use too often in our daily vernacular, yet Jesus talks about being a steward over and over, as do the authors of the Bible. A steward's role is central to who he is and what he's been called to accomplish in life and ministry.

What does it take to build a culture of good stewardship and generosity in your church? You may think that because every church is unique in its own way that the approach would be different for every church, and you’re partially correct. However, there are two key roles [and responsibilities] that must be present for a church to succeed in this endeavor. And succeed it must, because a lot is depending on it.

Of all the topics that a pastor can choose to speak on, money is one of the least preferred. I get it! It's an intimidating thing to talk about. Most pastors feel ill-equipped to speak on it because they don't feel they know enough about it. Many fear saying the wrong thing or being seen as having the wrong motivation for talking about it. I understand the hesitation to speak on this, but it's the wrong choice because not speaking on it is more damaging to your people than you realize.

There's a huge disconnect between what Christians are instructed to do and what they actually do when it comes to giving. Why is that? Most Christians know the Bible encourages them to be generous, yet a large majority of them give little or nothing at all. Is this open rebellion or something entirely different?

Most pastors struggle to help people when finances are concerned. They shy away from this kind of counseling. If they have any ministry available, it's usually some form of financial assistance program that's ill-equipped to deal with people's real issues today.

"Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" That's an excellent question! Be honest. You've probably asked or thought about that question yourself. In your desire to be good and pleased to God, you've wondered, am I doing the right things to ensure my eternal future?

Financial discipleship, being trained and equipped in God's financial principles to live as a good and faithful steward, is a lifelong journey that requires faithfulness and lifelong devotion.

In westernized cultures today, we have been raised believing that success, wealth, and the acquisition of possessions contributes to our overall level of happiness. Not only are we susceptible to this belief system, but we are targeted by marketing strategies backed by billions of dollars to convince us that what we have isn’t enough.

In the marketplace, outstanding quality and excellent customer service build good reputations. Take either of these two components away, and a good reputation won't be achieved. This is also true for churches.

An all too familiar problem with stewardship ministry is the stigma that the only people who engage in it are those in difficult or desperate financial situations. While teaching the basics of money management is a crucial and integral part of stewardship ministry, there is much more to offer.

It is an odd question for the son of a truck driver, who was the son of a sharecropper, to ask, but the question is valid: "What is the purpose of wealth?"

Most of the wealth people possess is held in non-cash or non-liquid assets, an estimated 90%. Of all this wealth, a significant portion will transfer. The question is, who will receive those assets? Unfortunately, it looks like very little of that transfer will end up going to churches or kingdom causes.

Like most of you, I've been exposed to a steady stream of news concerning the Coronavirus for weeks. I really can't escape it. It's in every stream of media; TV, social media, and every web browser's home page. And, if I’m honest, it's having an impact on me.

Pink Floyd got it wrong when they lyricized that "money is the root of all evil," but they weren't far off the mark. Financial issues are cited as the number one cause of divorce, and having helped more couples work through financial issues than I can count, I've seen how money can be a destructive force in our lives.