Generosity On The Decline

A recent study from Grey Matter Research does not paint an encouraging picture. A study of all evangelicals concludes that average generosity has fallen across the board from 2020 to today; from 3.20% to 2.22% of household income.  This is measuring “all generosity” to any charity.  With approximately 1.5 million 501(c)(3) organizations in the United States, competition for the charitable dollars of Christians, is tight. Evangelical generosity to their local church has slipped from 2.38% of household income in 2020 to 1.66% in 2025. That is a 30% decline in church giving and reflects that 25% of evangelical giving is going to organizations other than the local church.

Meanwhile, average annual inflation during this time period has been nearly 4%. A decline in giving coupled with rising costs of ministry, puts the local church in a financial bind. What should be done?

Financial discipleship must be lifted up and treated as a KEY discipleship issue addressed consistently and lovingly by each local church. The connection between spiritual engagement and generosity is clear. The same study highlights that fully engaged believers who give to church are 61% more generous than those that are moderately engaged, and 195% more generous than those with little or no engagement.

An older study from Barna noted that while spiritual growth is highly valued, the term “discipleship” itself is used by fewer than 1 in 5 Christians, even as resources on discipleship proliferate. In Stephen Macchia’s book, Becoming a Healthy Disciple, he notes 10 traits of a vital Christian.  One of those is stewardship. USMB is renewing its commitment to lead the local church in the area of discipleship.

As we seek together to grow disciples in our MB family, I encourage you to take a wholistic approach to discipleship, for the sake of the local ministry you serve, and the growth and maturity of the disciples you shepherd.  Champion Biblical Stewardship. Raise up a new generation of generous disciples.