How to Increase Giving at Your Church

Let’s be honest. Almost every church leader wants to see giving increase. But the real question is: How do you move from hoping it happens to making it happen?

I’ve talked with hundreds of church leaders over the years, and one common struggle emerges: they want to increase giving but don’t know where to start.

Here’s what I’ve discovered. The churches that see consistent growth in giving aren’t just asking for money—they’re creating a culture of Biblical generosity. And that requires intentional leadership.

So let’s dive into six proven strategies that can transform your church’s giving culture.

1. Tell Compelling Stories of Impact

Want to increase giving? Stop asking for money and start showing impact.

When you highlight stories of life-change that happened because of your church’s generosity, you answer the most important question in people’s minds: “Does my giving actually matter?”

Before your next offering, share a 60-second story about how someone’s life was changed through ministry that giving made possible. When your social media team plans content, include regular posts about community impact initiatives.

Remember: People don’t give to your budget. They give to your vision and the difference it makes.

2. Modernize Your Giving Experience

Here’s a truth we can’t ignore: Nobody carries cash anymore.

The pandemic accelerated digital payment adoption, and your church needs to catch up. If you’re still primarily collecting checks and cash, you’re missing significant giving potential.

Set up frictionless online giving options. Enable text-to-give. Integrate digital giving with your church app. Make it ridiculously easy for people to be generous.

I’ve seen churches increase giving by 15-30% simply by implementing user-friendly digital giving platforms. The easier you make it to give, the more people will participate.

3. Champion Recurring Giving

Here’s something I’ve noticed about recurring giving: it’s the difference between churches that struggle financially and those that thrive.

Most people in your church want to give consistently, but frankly, they forget. Recurring giving solves this problem.

But don’t just offer it—champion it. Talk about it as the primary way your most committed members give. When you set up a new giver, guide them toward recurring giving as the default option.

Start with your leadership team. As I often say, the speed of the leader determines the speed of the team. When your staff and key volunteers automate their giving, others will follow.

4. Celebrate Generosity Intentionally

What gets celebrated gets repeated.

Create intentional moments to thank givers—not to stroke egos but to reinforce the spiritual significance of their generosity.

Send personalized thank you notes to first-time givers. Create a monthly “impact update” email showing what giving accomplished. Consider hosting an annual vision dinner for consistent givers to share future plans.

When you celebrate generosity, you’re not just acknowledging a transaction—you’re reinforcing a spiritual discipline that transforms hearts.

5. Build Trust Through Transparency

In an era of institutional skepticism, financial transparency isn’t optional—it’s essential.

People need to trust your stewardship before they’ll trust you with their money. Make your budget accessible. Provide regular financial updates. Explain major financial decisions.

Consider creating a password-protected financial dashboard on your website where members can see giving trends, budget allocation, and ministry impact metrics.

When people see you’re managing resources wisely, their confidence in giving increases dramatically.

6. Teach Biblical Generosity Unapologetically

Here’s something I’ve learned: People’s giving problems are rarely financial problems—they’re spiritual problems.

Our culture talks about money constantly, yet most churches remain awkwardly silent. If you want to see giving increase, you need to teach Biblical generosity regularly and unapologetically.

Develop a comprehensive teaching strategy around stewardship and generosity. Address it from the pulpit. Incorporate it into small group curriculum. Create resources that help families talk about money from a Biblical perspective.

When people understand that generosity is about spiritual formation rather than institutional funding, everything changes.

The Bottom Line

Increasing church giving isn’t about clever tactics or emotional manipulation. It’s about creating a culture where generosity is a natural response to the gospel.

Start implementing these strategies, and you’ll not only see giving increase—you’ll see your congregation grow spiritually as they experience the joy that comes from living open-handedly.

What strategy could you implement this month to strengthen giving in your church? The best time to start is now.