3 Myths About High Capacity Givers In Your Ministry.

Most pastors are not at ease when it comes to engaging high capacity givers. However, these givers whom God has blessed financially, often fund a majority of the pastor's visions, projects and initiatives. So why do pastors struggle with high capacity givers? Here are three myths that often hold pastors back.

Myth #1 High Capacity givers have it all together because they have money.

Many pastors feel that a large mansion or a fancy car must mean that a High Capacity Giver has life all together. They wrongly assume that those who appear to be living the American dream, plus some, have a spiritual life that reflects their financial status.

When Samuel went to the house of Jesse to anoint the next king of Israel, the outward appearance of Jesse's elder son convinced Samuel that he was the next king. But the lord had already rejected him and taught Samuel not to judge by the people's outward appearances. 1 Samuel 16:7 says that God looks at the heart, not what people look at.

Myth #2 High Capacity Givers know how to handle money, including giving it.

Many wealthy people are self made. They work hard, invest well and are blessed financially by God. But as in the professional sports world, the number of multi-millionaire athletes that go bankrupt shortly after their career ends, is astounding.

The Bible clearly explains the pastor's role in discipling the High Capacity giver. 1 Timothy 6:17-18 says, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."

The text continues to say, "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." Here, Paul is telling his young protege to teach people that God has blessed with means, to use it to further His kingdom.

Myth #3 High Capacity givers must not have the money I think they do, since they don?t give to our church.

Many churches that we work with have at least one person in their church that God has blessed financially in an unusual way. At Generis, we have observed that people don't give to the church because they are not given a compelling reason to give.

As pastors, we may be great at teaching and in many other areas of ministry, but that does not mean that we know how to cast vision and tell inspiring stories of life change and tie it into generosity. A high capacity person in your congregation wants to know that their giving makes a difference in people's lives.

If we don't communicate that, it does make a difference on how much they will give. They will always give somewhere that communicates better. As pastors, we need to have a discipleship mind-set when it comes to the financial conversation. Our conversation needs to be transformational, not transactional.