12 ways to inspire generosity right now
Ready for the big Christmas Eve Sunday coming up? Are you ready for Monday, December 25? You are? Well, bra-vo (clapping slowly three times). You win. I’m still freaking out because I’m so far behind and…I’m not even a pastor!
No side-eye please, but I’m adding to your “to do” list. Written originally in 2012 (yes, this blog is about as old as dirt), here are 12 proven ways to inspire generosity. Pick one, maybe two, and if you’re feeling especially ambitious – three to do before the end of the week. I’m hoping you can check off #5 sometime today.
I’ll be back in the new year with the top 49 blog posts of 2023 (JK*, 37) and the ever-popular Stewardship Calendar. God bless us everyone!
OMG! It’s 12/12/12. The Mayan Apocalypse is supposed to happen on 12/21/12 (numerologists are in heaven) and, depending on whom you talk to, Obama or Boehner may be the anti-Christ meaning Jesus will soon be lifting us all up to glory. Wow – these are exciting times!
Not that any of you are going to be “left behind” of course, but just in case, here are twelve, count ‘em, twelve ways to inspire generosity in the next few days or (if you survive) weeks ahead:
Write. Write one of your faithful tithers a thank you note, by hand, using your personal stationary.
Call. Call one of your faithful tithers and thank them for their generosity.
Converse. Have a conversation with one of your faithful tithers and ask, “What inspires you to be generous?”
Plan. Have a plan for your Christmas Eve offering. Be able to tell people where the funds will go and what great things will happen as a result.
Laugh. Remember, God loves a cheerful giver – and I have heard it said that God especially loves a hilarious giver.
Give. You can’t be asking your congregation to give, if you aren’t willing to do the very same thing.
Testify. You, yes, you testify about the good things God is doing in your life and how the church is making that possible.
Ask. You can’t expect to get money by osmosis. Yes, you will have to give people the opportunity to give.
Analyze. If you have had success in the past, do an analysis and determine what worked. Likewise, if something failed, do the same thing. Otherwise, you will be chasing your tail year after year.
Record. Make sure you keep good records of who gives and how much. People will feel much better knowing their money is in good hands.
Preach. Yes, preach, brother and sister…about the spiritual discipline of giving. Oh, your Stewardship campaign is over? No problem, go ahead and preach about generosity some more. Jesus didn’t put a time limit on talking about money.
Pray. Pray for your congregation to be generous, for yourself to be bold and unafraid to ask. For patience, kindness, and all that other good stuff Jesus wants and expects us to do.
So many of you have mastered many of these twelve but maybe there’s one or two you’d especially like to incorporate this season – or before the end of the year. Once you get started, you’ll see just how easy it will be to accomplish them.
And here’s lucky #13…take care of yourself. Breathe and don’t miss the beauty of this sacred season. Be kind to yourself. May God’s blessed peace be with you.
Adapted from a post from (you guessed it) 12/12/12.
Photo credit – how appropriate that number 12 is done by 422737 @Pixabay.com?
*Just Kidding...
Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise over three million dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations. Be thankful that she didn’t set this list to “The 12 Days of Christmas.” For a hit of nostalgia, check out the version of that song by John Denver and The Muppets.
You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered!
Schedule a meeting now.
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