Generosity is a complex topic for pastors to address. In seasons of financial pressure when many people feel stretched thin, it can be hard to inspire open-handedness without adding to people’s stress. Yet, Barna’s research shows that cultivating generosity is not merely about giving—it’s also about expressing gratitude for the generosity people have experienced from others in their own life.

According to Barna data, just over half of U.S. adults who had made charitable donations in the previous year (54%) said they had also received extraordinary generosity from others—compared to 36 percent of nongivers. This suggests a “virtuous cycle” of generosity: when people experience kindness, they’re more likely to pass it on.

Faith communities are uniquely positioned to nurture this cycle. Practicing Christians report higher rates (65%) of both experiencing and practicing generosity than the general population (46%), showing that church can be a natural environment where generosity is modeled, learned and multiplied.

Cultivating Generosity