Our goal in stewardship training is not to have some people give more; rather it is to have all the people give faithfully. By faithfully we mean: guided by God's Word and led by the Holy Spirit of God. How could this happen?

We must teach God's Word trusting the Holy Spirit will convince the hearts of God's people of the truths about money (conviction). We must then trust the Lord to direct the hearts of men (guided by the Word, led of the Spirit) about what, where and when to give. And finally, we must have faith in God's people to faithfully obey. If we do not follow this process, then what process would you propose?

This simple suggestion may help you train your people about their role and responsibility as a steward of God's stuff.

If an offering is taken in your morning service, evening service and midweek service then you take approximately 150 offerings per year. Really, the number may be higher when you consider special offerings, etc. In most church services that I have attended down through the years I have noticed that the offering has become somewhat of a "routine" event. These offerings are usually announced by the pastor saying something to the effect of, "This ministry is supported by the tithes and offerings of God's people." Someone then prays for the offering and the plates are passed. Do we make the assumption that everyone knows why we do this, or how they should be participating? I think we do! Is it possible that this might convey the impression that this is a ‘religious' issue and not a ‘spiritual' issue? Do we conduct this exercise quickly because it is uncomfortable to talk about money? I think we are missing 150 wonderful opportunities to teach Bible truth.

As an evangelist, I have been an objective observer in hundreds of churches, and this is what I constructively suggest for changing what has been a routinely missed opportunity into a pro-active and positive reinforcement of your church's Biblical stewardship ministry: Before you pass the collection plates, have someone teach from a verse of Scripture a truth or principle regarding Biblical stewardship, giving, and worship-and then take the offering.

This need not take more than a minute or so. I would even suggest assigning the task to several different men who have good testimonies with regard to money. Create a rotating schedule for each these men to present their message. Assign men from different age groups each time you make a new schedule. (By the way, I would include responsible teens in this. We often hear the comment, "I wish someone would have taught me this when I was twenty.") Have the men study and prepare, get their ‘lesson' approved for doctrinal and contextual accuracy, and then present it to the congregation at the scheduled offering time.

In so doing you will be:

• Teaching Truth (II Tim 4:2)
• Building conviction (John 16:13)
• Encouraging faithfulness (I Cor 4:2)
• Strengthening men to be able to ‘teach others also'(II Tim 2:2)
• Worshipping God (John 4:24)
• Testifying of the Grace of God, and glorifying Him (I Cor 10:31, Matt 5:16)

Being stuck in a rut, or routine in our worship can contribute greatly to a life of apathy, and it may even lead to apostasy. Consider what Paul told the elders in Ephesus, "I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35. Offering time should be a great blessing to your people as they acknowledge and testify of the grace of God.