As a faithful follower of Jesus, you are concerned with the best ways to steward the resources God has entrusted to them. When it comes to using your money to serve God’s interests, it can be difficult to think outside of the typical choices offered.
Normally, when people think about serving God with their money, they think about giving it away. But that’s not your only choice! You can also serve God by spending or investing wisely. Here are some ways that you can grow the kingdom through giving, spending, and investing.
Grow the Kingdom by Giving
1. Give to Your Church
This is probably the most obvious choice, and rightly so. If you’re committed to a church and its ministries, it’s important that you give regularly to help support it. When you are willing to contribute to your community of faith, it not only blessesthe body of believers, it also helps to solidify your commitment to it.
2. Give to a Missionary
Throughout the world there are people devoted to sharing the gospel and equipping others to grow the church. On top of this responsibility, they often need to take furloughs to tour home churches and raise enough funds to serve abroad for another year—or they might be part of a missions organization that raises the funds for them. Either way, the more people who will commit to long-term support—or even one-time gifts—the more they can focus on their calling.
3. Give to Faith-Based Charities
From empty cupboards to insufficient clothes, every community has needs that can only be met by concerned organizations and individuals—it’s even better when they serve out of a commitment to Christ.
It can be harder for local charities to raise money than it is for national or international charity organizations (but they need money, too). Giving to faith-based charities can definitely help grow the Kingdom. And choosing what charities to support to can be a fun family activity.
4. Give to Ministries
You might want to support a ministry that had a profound impact on your conversion, or you might want to give to a ministry you follow regularly. Either way, your donation is a great way to tell them thank you. When you support these ministries, it makes a big difference on the number of people to whom they can minister.
5. Give to Christian Education
If your church doesn’t have a Christian school, there’s probably one in your area. They’re often struggling to break even, and your financial gifts can help them cover their salaries or purchase much-needed supplies. If you have a homeschooling association in your area, you can also make a donation toward curriculum for families who are strapped for cash.
Grow the Kingdom by Spending
6. Shop at Christian-Owned Companies
If you have a choice to spend your money in a store or restaurant owned by Christians, why wouldn’t you do it? Most Christian-owned companies are donating a percentage of their proceeds to charitable causes; so some of money that you were going to spend anyway would also go to charities.
7. Invest in Local Christians
There are people in your church who volunteer for various causes and efforts, but get very little thanks. Why not invest in thank-you gifts to those who give of their time and talents?
Or here’s another idea: find someone in your church to mentor, and spring for lunch when you meet with them regularly. As they mature, you’ll be able to clearly see how you’re growing the Kingdom.
8. Buy Books and Resources to Spur Spiritual Growth
You can find a lot of powerful books, Bible study curricula, video classes, and other resources that can help supercharge your spiritual maturity. Why not spend some money and invest your time into learning more about your faith and how you can put it into practice?
After you’ve leanred from these resources, you could start a lending library that you can pass around.
9. Attend Christian Conferences or Events
Every year there are hundreds, if not thousands, of events and conferences dedicated to every area of Christian ministry, leadership, theology, worship, and practice. Do some research and find a couple of events that zero in on areas of your particular interests in or that might help you fulfill your church responsibilities. Attending one or two events per year can do a lot to educate and inspire you. And if you really want to edify your church, find one or two people to take with you!
10. Support Christian Artists and Creatives
There are many Christian painters, poets, writers, musicians, and artists of all types who are working hard to create art that communicates their love for Jesus and his Word. But it can be hard for them to get the support they need to use their gifts. You can support them through paying for their work or through contributing to them through tools like Patreon.
Grow the Kingdom by Investing
11. Invest in Ways That Help Churches Grow
When you spend or give money on behalf of the Kingdom, it’s a one-time act. But what if you were able to use the same resources to bless others more than once?
By investing with an organization like CDF Capital, you’re making your funds available to loan to churches that are doing amazing work. All the while, your money is earning a healthy interest rate. When you get it back, you can grow the kingdom again by giving, spending, or reinvesting it!
If you’re interested in seeing the kind of work that CDF Capital has been doing for 63 years with investments like yours, check out the story of Pastor Chris Delfs and LifePointe Christian Church!
Sharing Your Gifts
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace”—1 Peter 4:10
God has gifted each of us with resources that we can use to build his church. Pray and seek counsel about the best ways to use those gifts—and watch those resources go to work.
We Help Churches Grow
CDF Capital uses investments to help churches grow. We do this because we believe in the church. You can learn more about how this works here.
