Why churches don’t talk enough about money (and why we must)

Few topics make church leaders more uncomfortable than money.

We fear being seen as self-serving and worry about turning people away. Often, generosity is reduced to an occasional sermon before a giving campaign or a line on the notice sheet about Gift Aid.

A discipleship issue

But here’s the challenge: Jesus spoke more about money than almost any other subject. Not because He was fundraising but because He knew money is one of the greatest rivals to God in the human heart. As He said in Matthew 6:24, “You cannot serve both God and Mammon.” When we avoid teaching about generosity, we’re not sparing people awkwardness – we’re leaving a gaping hole in their discipleship.

Generosity is not an optional extra for “keen Christians.” It is the natural outworking of grace. Paul reminded the Corinthians: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV). Our giving flows directly from the gospel itself.

For those that might wish to over-spiritualise that verse and say it's talking about spiritual riches, the Greek words Paul uses for “poor” and “rich” are specifically referring to money…

When churches consistently avoid this conversation, three things happen:

1. Discipleship gets shallow. People grow in prayer, worship, lifestyle or service – but their money remains unchallenged and untouched. Yet what we do with our finances is one of the clearest indicators of where our heart is.
2. Church culture gets shaped by the world. In the absence of teaching, most Christians simply absorb society’s defaults: consume, upgrade, secure yourself first. Without biblical guidance, believers are left to assume that generosity is about occasional charity, rather than a Kingdom lifestyle.
3. Opportunities for joy get missed. When people grasp God’s heart for generosity, they experience joy, freedom, and deeper trust. We don’t just raise funds - we raise disciples who reflect the character of the Father, who “so loved the world that He gave” (John 3:16).

So how can church leaders approach this well?

First, by reframing the conversation: teaching generosity is not about the church’s need, but about the disciple’s growth.

Second, by modelling it: when leaders live generous lives, people notice.

And third, by keeping it connected to worship: giving is not a transaction, but an act of devotion.

The reality is this: if we never speak about money, we are discipling people to believe God is Lord of everything except their bank account. That is not the gospel Jesus preached. True freedom comes when every part of life, including finances, is surrendered to Him.

So maybe it’s time we stop worrying about being “too similar” to a fundraising appeal, and instead ask: what kind of disciples are we forming if we don’t teach generosity?

Church leaders: please share your experience

We're conducting a major research study into how UK churches teach about finances and generosity, and we'd love to hear how this is done at your church. If you're a UK church leader, please take part in our survey where you can also express interest in taking part in a Stewardship focus group or 1-2-1 interview.

Take the church leaders survey

(If you're not a church leader, please share this article with the person responsible for teaching at your church and invite them to take part)