Generosity can be so much more than a mere financial transaction; it can be a profound act of faith and transformational joy.
Recent findings from the Stewardship Generosity Report 2024 have highlighted some of the ways in which Christian’s are already doing this. Using these valuable insights, we’ve put together five practical steps to explore and unlock the true joy of generosity in your own life.
1. Align your giving with your values
Identifying causes that resonate with your passions and beliefs is an important first step and our Causefinder page can be a great place to start. We have over 30,000 charities, churches and Chrisitan workers we partner with. You can focus on the things that really matter the most to you and find a charity that is at work there.
When you give to a cause close to your heart you are much more likely to experience joy and fulfilment. Our research has uncovered that those who feel connected to a cause tend to give more generously and the Bible tells us that when your giving aligns with your values, your heart follows, leading to greater joy and fulfilment. As Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
2. Make a budget for generosity
Being intentional about giving is also really important for finding joy. You can do this by creating a space for generosity in your financial planning. You could set aside a space in your bank account or you could create a Stewardship Giving Account with a regular gift. By setting aside a portion of your income like this you can give intentionally and joyfully.
We feel that giving is a really important discipline for a Christian and our research indeed highlights that 'Practising Christians' give 6.26% of their income, compared to 3.04% for Church-going Christians and 1.17% for Cultural Christians.
In the Bible, the apostle Paul encourages believers about giving by saying, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Budgeting allows you to follow this instruction because you are giving deliberately and cheerfully, knowing you are fulfilling a commitment that you’ve made in your heart.
3. Engage with the impact of your giving
Seeing the impact of your donations can greatly enhance the joy of giving. Our research shows that donors feel more driven to give when they can see the difference that their contributions make, 29% of donors are encouraged to give more when they feel part of something that can make a difference. Understanding and seeing the impact of your generosity reinforces the positive effects of your giving. You can engage with the causes you support by following their updates and stories of impact.
4. Build trust into your giving process
Trust is crucial for generous giving. The Generosity Report outlines that those who trust their church and the charities that they give to are more likely to give regularly.
To be confident in your giving you can choose organisations that demonstrate transparency and effective use of funds, and don’t hesitate to ask for financial reports or impact statements. Trusting that your donations are used wisely allows you to give more freely, joyously and generously.
5. Involve others in your community
Discussing your giving habits with friends and family can encourage a culture of generosity, and collective joy. One of the key takeaways from the Generosity Report is that those who talk about their giving tend to give more. Those that share their giving journey generally inspire others to join them in making a difference.
Over 22% of those who give more than 11-15% of their income tend to discuss their giving with friends or family. Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Sharing your experiences can inspire and motivate others to join in acts of generosity, as well as building up your own joy, thus multiplying the impact.
Share the report with people in your church and encourage your church leader to read and lean into the recommendations and the resources.
Your journey to joy and generosity can start with a Stewardship Giving Account
Over 30,000 Christians, currently use their Stewardship Giving Account to help them deepen their levels of generosity. It’s easy to set up and you can be quickly giving to the causes that you love. With Stewardship’s Instant Gift Aid you can also add 25% to each and every eligible gift you make.
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Matt Holderness
Matt joined Stewardship in 2022 with over twenty years of marketing experience from roles at Kendal College and Capernwray Bible School. He has degrees in Business and Marketing, Theology, Management and most recently a Masters in Hermeneutics.
Through raising awareness of Stewardship’s various products and services, Matt helps people explore the Kingdom impact that their growing generosity can have, and helps the Church and Christian charities gather faithfully and grow purposefully.
He’s passionate about supporting Evangelism and Bible causes, and has a particular interest in charities that are helping people in Poverty and Debt in the UK.
