Pastoring God's People
For all those who have been commissioned to
pastoral roles of all kinds.
Preaching the dreaded stewardship sermon
by Jim Brown
When I was the pastor of a small rural congregation, I was hesitant to preach about giving. It felt like a conflict of interest. Preaching about giving felt like saying, “Give more to make sure that I get paid.”
Pastors can be hesitant to preach about money for other reasons as well. Some are uncomfortable with their own level of giving or with their management of their personal finances. In some churches talking about money is taboo; it isn’t seen as spiritual. But Jesus spoke more about money and material possessions than about heaven or hell or prayer or any other subject. So for Jesus, money and possessions were clearly significant spiritual topics.
In my role as a stewardship consultant with the Mennonite Foundation of Canada, I regularly preach about financial stewardship in churches across Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Preaching about giving felt like saying, “Give more to make sure I get paid."
It’s easier now because I’m not dependent on those churches for my salary; nor am I asking them to give to MFC. Rather, my message is: “Be generous as God has been generous with you. Choose the charities you want to support, and we will help you find effective ways to do it.”
If I were a congregational pastor again, I believe that I would now be more comfortable preaching about financial stewardship. That’s because my attitude has changed and I would approach the theme differently.
1. I would continue educating myself.
If I’m going to minister to the whole person it is vital for me to understand the financial issues church members face either in their personal lives or in their business or employment.
Some members are struggling to live within their means. Financial matters are often involved when marriages are under stress. Other members are trying to identify what an appropriate retirement lifestyle would be. Businesspeople are regularly faced with decisions about investment strategies, employees, and profitability. We unfairly risk alienating entrepreneurs in our congregations when we automatically assume that profits are ill-gotten gain.
If the church doesn’t claim its role of providing spiritual leadership in matters of financial stewardship, members will look elsewhere for guidance, so I would continue to educate myself in this area. This would involve reading relevant articles and perhaps attending some seminars on personal financial management, dealing with debt, and planning for retirement. Of course, I would need to filter what I read or heard, recognizing various biases. Engaging members in conversations would also be a way of learning more about these topics and the challenges congregants face.
2. I would be clear about my purpose in preaching about money.
Pastors don’t preach about money just to meet the budget. Rather, they preach about financial stewardship as a part of faithful Christian discipleship. Practicing generosity is a way to train our hearts toward God. Someone once wrote, “God asks for our money because God wants our hearts.” Giving is a way to remind ourselves that everything we have comes from and belongs to God.
Jesus spoke more about money and material possessions than about any other subject.
3. I would monitor how I’m being understood.
It’s important that we present ourselves as allies and not adversaries when we work at financial faithfulness with our congregation. It is not helpful to come across as judgmental or to use stereotypes or guilt in order to encourage increased giving. We should communicate clearly and confidently Scripture’s call to practice a generosity that is rooted in God’s generosity to us. When preaching, I would use more “we” language rather than pointing a finger. From time to time I would check in with a variety of members, asking: “What did you hear in that sermon?”
4. I would work at faithful financial stewardship in my own life.
It’s hard to preach it if you don’t live it.
5. I would not limit the topic to the stewardship sermon.
Sunday school classes and membership and premarital classes are also relevant settings in which to talk about money.
Preaching about money is central to preaching the whole gospel. When we approach the task with humility, an openness to learn more, and a clear sense of purpose, we fulfill a vital component of Jesus’ call to make disciples.At the time of this writing, Jim Brown was a stewardship consultant for Mennonite Foundation of Canada. In summer 2007 he anticipates moving back into pastoral ministry. He is a member of Charleswood Mennonite Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba.