Dear Chuck,

After years of debt and financial hardship, God blessed us with a season of plenty. Our finances are somewhat unique, with real estate, dividends, and irregular income, so determining how and when to tithe isn’t always simple. We want unity about how and where to give. 

• Should we establish a regular amount, give when needs arise, or both?
• How can we best help our employees, whom we care deeply about, when certain needs arise?
• How do we prioritize generosity instead of simply accumulating wealth? 

We genuinely want to live open-handed and remember that everything belongs to God.

Generous Stewards 

Dear Generous Stewards, 

What a wonderful challenge to have, and what a beautiful heart you have toward giving and generosity. Let’s go through each of your questions.

Should We Establish a Regular Amount? 

The Scripture supports cheerful generosity in both planned and spontaneous giving.

In 1 Corinthians 16:2, Paul describes believers regularly setting aside money according to their income. That reflects intentional generosity, demonstrating a plan to make it your priority. But Scripture also shows God’s people responding to unexpected needs, such as the Good Samaritan or the kindness to support the widow, orphan, poor, and suffering.

It is my view that when we are conformed into the image of Christ, we are not simply to give as an act of obedience, but we are also to adopt the identity of “givers,” which is a continually joyful part of our very being. 

What About Our Employees?

Consider establishing a type of benevolence fund in your personal and business budget. Regularly place money there specifically for giving beyond your normal church and ministry support. Then, when an employee faces a medical crisis, a family needs help, or an unexpected ministry opportunity appears, you already have resources available.

This allows you to consider unexpected needs on a case-by-case basis. In our office, staff are invited to contribute to the benevolence fund or give to it when we have determined to help a fellow member of our team. 

How Do We Prioritize Generosity?

Unity in your marriage must come first as you plan to make generosity a priority. Giving is an opportunity to steward the reward of your labor together. Pray together, and discuss your convictions, responsibilities, and the needs God has placed before you.

In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul says, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (ESV).

1. Agree on a filter or framework before individual opportunities arise. That allows you to respond to needs from a place of unity rather than emotion. Consider what is important to you, such as medical needs, education, mission trips, etc. By defining these in advance, you can also be equipped to say no to requests outside of the needs God has placed on your hearts. 
2. Set up a benevolence fund to aid employees that allows the employees to also participate. Some will give to it regularly or wait until a need is presented. This gives them a way to join in helping a fellow employee. 
3. Consider setting a lifestyle cap by answering the question: How much is enough? This will serve as a way to decrease lifestyle expansion and increase investments in helping others. 
4. Set up a family giving trust. This will allow you to invite your children into understanding your values and participating with you in making decisions about where and how much to give. 
5. Establish a family bank. Similar to a trust for giving, this will allow children and grandchildren to borrow and pay back loans for their personal needs, such as education, buying a home, or starting a business. 
6. Give beyond 10%. As Christians, we should seek to give above and beyond a fixed standard. Generosity is not a tax. It is a joyful opportunity to worship. 

When Income Isn’t Simple

For someone receiving a regular paycheck, setting aside a percentage of income can be straightforward. Business owners, investors, and those with real estate often have more complicated cash flow. Don’t become so focused on calculating the perfect number that you lose the heart of generosity.

Establish a consistent method you both understand and can apply. You might give regularly from income actually received through salary, distributions, dividends, realized investment gains, or other personal income while remaining open to additional generosity as God provides opportunities.

If your situation is complex, a trusted CPA or wealth advisor can aid in creating clarity so you can give faithfully and wisely.

Stewards of All He Provides 

You have experienced both lack and plenty. Allow both seasons to teach you. Deuteronomy 8 contains an important warning for seasons of abundance. God told Israel that when they had eaten and were satisfied, built good houses, and accumulated wealth, they were to be careful not to forget Him. Prosperity can test our hearts just as surely as hardship.

The first principle I would encourage you to embrace is that God owns it all. Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (NIV). You are not deciding how much of your wealth to give God. You are asking how to manage what’s His.

Even in a season of abundance, resources are limited, and you are responsible for stewarding them wisely. Generosity requires discernment. I recommend prioritizing the local church and ministries whose work aligns with your convictions. Support people God has placed directly in your sphere of influence and opportunities where your giving can genuinely help rather than create unhealthy dependency.

Sometimes generosity involves writing a check. Other times it provides a job, pays for training, offers an interest-free loan, gives property, or helps someone develop the skills to become financially independent.

God may entrust abundance to us not merely to raise our standard of living but to increase our standard of giving. In 1 Timothy 6:17–19, Paul tells those who are rich not to put their hope in wealth but “to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (NIV).

Build appropriate reserves. Provide for your family, invest wisely, and enjoy God’s provision with gratitude. But hold everything loosely. Prayerfully ask, “Lord, why have You entrusted this to us, and what would You have us do with it?” That will transform giving from an obligation into the joyfulness that comes from faithful stewardship.

Do you want more helpful and encouraging tools and tips on financial stewardship? Are you interested in receiving ministry updates from around the world? Sign up to receive the Crown Newsletter by using the form on the homepage at Crown.org.

This article was originally published on October 9, 2026.