As Thanksgiving week reminds us of the many blessings we enjoy, it’s natural to reflect on gratitude. But does gratitude naturally lead to generosity? Leo Sabo joins us today to discuss three things your pastor wishes you knew about giving.

Leo Sabo is the President of the Christian Stewardship Network (CSN), where he gets to share the incredible impact financial stewardship and generosity can have on the Church. 

1. Giving Has Spiritual Benefits

Your pastor wants you to know that giving is deeply tied to your spiritual growth. It’s not just about meeting church needs—it’s about discipleship and trust in God. Learning to surrender your finances to God is a major step in your faith journey.

• A Holistic View of Stewardship: Generosity encompasses more than money. It includes your time, talents, and treasures. Your pastor hopes you'll see giving as a condition of the heart, not just a financial act.
• 100% Belongs to God: Some believe tithing is the only portion of our money that matters to God, but your pastor wants you to see all your resources as belonging to Him. True stewardship involves inviting God to have authority over everything you own.
• An Act of Worship: Giving is not a "membership fee" for the church. It’s an act of worship that overflows from a heart grateful to God.

2. Stewardship Is Discipleship

Stewardship—responsibly managing your resources—is a key aspect of your faith. Many pastors offer financial management courses to help members learn biblical principles for saving, budgeting, avoiding debt, and investing.

• Why Stewardship Matters: Jesus frequently taught about money because how we handle it reveals the condition of our hearts. Faithful stewardship fosters generosity and aligns our financial decisions with God’s will.
• Programs for Your Growth: Churches often provide financial programs to equip members for wise money management. Pastors want you to know these resources are offered out of love and desire to see you spiritually and financially flourish.

3. Transparency and Accountability Are Crucial

In today’s world, donors increasingly value financial transparency and accountability. Your pastor understands this and prioritizes using your gifts responsibly.

• Building Trust: Transparency reassures members that their generosity funds vital ministries like teaching, worship gatherings, and community outreach.
• The Church’s Responsibility: Churches rely solely on donor support, and your pastor wants you to feel confident that your gifts are being used to advance God’s kingdom in meaningful ways.

Turning Gratitude Into Action

This Thanksgiving, let your gratitude inspire generosity. Giving is more than a financial transaction—it’s a spiritual act that draws us closer to God. By embracing these principles of stewardship, you can experience the joy and freedom that come from trusting God with your resources. May your giving reflect a heart of worship, and your stewardship bring glory to the One who owns it all.

If you're inspired to grow in generosity or want to start a stewardship ministry in your church, the Christian Stewardship Network offers tools and guidance for launching and managing effective stewardship programs. Visit ChristianStewardshipNetwork.com for more information.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• I have a 36-year-old granddaughter who is a single parent with a low income and a 660 credit score. She was going to have to move but doesn't have to now. I was planning to give her $11,000 for a down payment, but she also has a $300/month car loan with 4 years left. Would it be better to use the $11,000 to pay off her car loan instead? Would that help improve her credit and give her extra cash to save for a home?
• I recently received a $25,000 gift and have put it into a savings account earning 4.5% interest. Should I take that $25,000 and put it back into my investment portfolio instead of leaving it in my savings account? I currently have three months' expenses saved as an emergency fund. What would be the better approach—keeping the $25,000 in the high-yield savings account or investing it?
• I'm 20 years old and have a $250,000 mortgage at 2.6% interest. I have $5,000 left each month—$4,000 goes to high-yield savings and $1,000 to retirement. Should I focus on paying down the mortgage quickly or continue investing the extra funds since market growth has been good?

Resources Mentioned:

• Bankrate.com
• Christian Stewardship Network
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
• FaithFi App

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.

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