Gratitude is a natural response to God’s goodness—but does it show up in the way we give?

Many pastors wish their congregation knew that giving isn’t just about meeting a church budget—it’s a vital part of growing as a disciple of Jesus. Today, Leo Sabo joins us to unpack three things your pastor wishes you knew about giving.

Leo Sabo is the President of the Christian Stewardship Network (CSN). He has spent the last 22 years working with couples, individuals, and church leaders, helping them understand and manage their finances according to biblical principles.

Why Conversations About Giving Matter

Effective conversations between church members and leadership aren’t just about meeting financial goals. Because God owns everything and we are His stewards, money decisions are both practical and deeply spiritual. How we handle what God has entrusted to us reveals our hearts and our motives.

1. The Spiritual Benefits of Giving

Pastors understand the connection between generosity and discipleship. Trusting God with our money is a significant part of our spiritual journey—and once we embrace that, giving becomes a joyful act of worship.

Stewardship is holistic, involving our time, talents, and treasures. A love-inspired steward sees everything—not just what we give—as belonging to God. Pastors want you to know that giving isn’t a “membership fee” to the church. It’s an offering to God, through the church, out of gratitude and worship.

2. Stewardship Is Part of Discipleship

Stewardship means responsibly managing the resources God has entrusted to us, including money. Many churches offer classes and programs to help members budget, save, avoid debt, and invest wisely—all grounded in biblical principles.

Jesus spoke often about money and possessions because He knew our relationship with them reveals the condition of our hearts. Faithful stewardship naturally leads to generosity, reinforcing the spiritual benefits of giving.

3. Transparency and Accountability Build Trust

In an era when people are increasingly concerned about financial transparency, pastors want to ensure that members understand that the responsible use of donations is a priority. Church leaders have both a responsibility and an opportunity to demonstrate accountability.

When you give, you’re funding ministry—teaching, worship, community support, and the staff who make it all possible. Every act of generosity fuels the church’s mission to serve both its members and the surrounding community.

If you’d like to learn more about starting or strengthening a stewardship ministry in your church, visit ChristianStewardshipNetwork.com.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• My 22-year-old son is graduating from college and starting his first job next year. What retirement planning advice should I give him—especially when it comes to private investments outside of his workplace retirement plan?
• I’m concerned that the housing market may be headed for a downturn similar to 2008. Here in Indiana, I see many new houses being built that most people can’t afford, along with more foreclosures and repossessions. Why isn’t anyone sounding the alarm? Am I overreacting, or do you see the same risks?
• I’m 61 with $300,000 in a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and about a year from retirement. Should I adjust my investments, move my money, or make any other changes as I approach retirement?
• My wife and I want to relocate from Florida to Colorado, where we already own a piece of land. We currently have two Florida homes with mortgages and have invested $80,000 in a Christian women’s network. We’d like to speed up our move and build our Colorado home, but I’m unsure how to align our finances to make it happen. What’s the best way forward?

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Christian Stewardship Network (CSN)
• The Sound Mind Investing Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Your Money From a Biblical Perspective by Austin Pryer with Mark Biller
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money
• 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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