Fruitful soil: why planned giving matters
Planned giving helps us make giving a priority. It unlocks committed giving. It releases us into the joy of generous giving.
Planned giving isn’t just about how we make our gifts, it’s how we make generosity a priority. It’s how we translate our heart’s desire and intention into committed action.
Prepare in advance
When we plan ahead our giving becomes easier and more joyful. We avoid a last-minute scramble and our gift isn’t dependent on what we feel in the moment. Paul encourages exactly this in 2 Corinthians 9:5. Put simply, the churches in Corinth should prepare their gifts ahead of time. That way they’d be giving generously, not grudgingly. The idea is simple. Plan for regular giving and we don’t have to decide what to give, every time we give.
Commanded to be generous
Planned giving has deep roots in scripture. The Bible commands us to be generous: the Tithe (Dt 14:22-29); the great festivals (Dt 16:10, 16-17) and Paul gives practical advice to his churches (1 Cor 16:3). It may sound strange: commanded to be generous? Christians know that generous giving is born from a heart touched by God’s grace. But the midwife is planned giving.
Why plan?
First, if we don’t, the money might not be there when we want to give. Second, rushed, reactive giving doesn’t grow generous hearts. Third, giving and worship are linked—our faith and finances shouldn’t live in separate worlds.
Here’s the thing: planning doesn’t kill spontaneity or joy in giving. It creates the fruitful soil where generosity can grow. Like exercise for physical health, disciplined giving strengthens a generous heart.
How we give matters
For most of us today (not all) our big ticket bills are paid directly from our bank accounts. If that’s how we live but how we give is cash in church we may have to ask: is there a disconnect? Is our lifestyle and our discipleship out of step when it comes to giving? Fact is, the stats show regular planned giving is associated with greater levels of giving, in churches as well as in other charities. Planned giving helps us give generously and releases is into the joy of giving.
Good for our church
Planned giving is good for our churches. The giving of our congregations is in most places the biggest income stream for our churches, even as other income streams grow. Planned giving helps our churches plan and helps them be more resilient, even during crises like COVID or a cost of living crisis. But it doesn’t just happen. Our churches need to be confident in asking people to give regularly and make it easy for them to do so. For Anglicans in England the Parish Giving Scheme is in pole position; in Wales Rhoi yn Syth (Gift Direct). Elsewhere Stewardship accounts are just the ticket.
Good for me
Generosity doesn’t happen by accident. It’s taught and caught, encouraged and cultivated. Our journey of generosity will last a lifetime. Planned giving helps us build the habits that sustain us on the journey and release us into the joy of generosity.
Born of grace
Generous giving is born from a heart touched by grace. The midwife is planned giving.