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Celebrating 300 Episodes of the Stewardology Podcast

Before we jump into today’s topic, we want to pause and say thank you.

This is the 300th episode of the Stewardology Podcast, and we are incredibly grateful for what God has done through this ministry over the last five to six years.

By God’s grace, we’ve had the opportunity to:

  • Complete more than 1,000 stewardship reviews through Stewardology and Life Institute since 2021
  • Work with approximately 60 churches since the podcast began
  • Reach listeners in 176 countries around the world

To everyone who has listened, shared episodes, supported the ministry, and pursued faithful stewardship alongside us, thank you. Now, let’s dive into a question many Christians have wondered:

Why don’t pastors talk about money?

 

Why Pastors Don’t Talk About Money

For many church leaders, talking about money feels like walking through a minefield.

Some pastors fear pushing people away if they address finances too often. Others worry they will sound greedy, legalistic, or self-interested. Many have seen the damage caused by prosperity gospel teachers and, in response, swing to the opposite extreme by avoiding the topic entirely.

The result is silence.

And unfortunately, that silence creates problems for both pastors and congregations.

Some Pastors Struggle Financially Themselves

One major reason pastors avoid the topic is personal discomfort. Many pastors feel they cannot preach confidently about stewardship because they are struggling financially themselves. They may feel overwhelmed by debt, budgeting issues, poor financial habits, or a lack of long-term planning.

Some quietly think:

“How can I preach on stewardship if I’m struggling to live it myself?”

That tension is real. But avoiding the conversation does not solve the problem. In fact, it often deepens it.

Scripture reminds us of the importance of faithful provision and stewardship:

“But if anyone does not provide for his own relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” — 1 Timothy 5:8 (ESV)

Pastors do not need financial perfection before teaching stewardship. But they should pursue growth, humility, and faithfulness.

As the saying goes:

“You cannot lead your people where you have not been.”

 

Many Seminaries Do Not Teach Financial Stewardship

Another major issue is lack of training.

Many pastors graduate from seminary with little or no education on Biblical financial stewardship. They may know Greek, theology, church history, and expository preaching, but feel completely unequipped to help people navigate debt, budgeting, generosity, saving, or wise financial decision-making.

As a result, many pastors simply avoid the topic because they do not feel confident teaching it.

But financial discipleship matters too much to ignore.

Church leaders do not have to wait for formal education to grow in this area. Wisdom can be developed through study, mentorship, and intentional learning.

 

The Fear of Looking Greedy

Pastors today are deeply aware of how churches can be perceived when money is discussed. Many leaders fear being compared to manipulative televangelists or prosperity preachers who constantly pressure people for donations.

No faithful pastor wants to exploit people financially.

But sometimes, the fear of appearing greedy causes pastors to avoid talking about money altogether. Ironically, this often reinforces the idea that financial conversations are uncomfortable or suspicious.

Many churches only discuss stewardship when there is a budget shortfall or fundraising campaign. That creates an unhealthy pattern where money conversations always feel reactive and tense.

Instead, churches should talk about stewardship regularly and naturally as part of discipleship.

 

Stewardship Is More Than Giving

One of the biggest mistakes churches make is reducing financial stewardship to fundraising. Biblical stewardship is much bigger than the offering plate. Faithful stewardship includes:

  • Budgeting wisely
  • Avoiding destructive debt
  • Saving responsibly
  • Caring for family
  • Practicing generosity
  • Enjoying God’s blessings appropriately
  • Planning for the future
  • Helping those in need

Jesus said:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:21 (ESV)

That truth applies to every area of our financial lives, not just charitable giving. Churches must teach the whole counsel of God when it comes to money.

 

Why Churches Need Regular Financial Discipleship

Financial stewardship should not be treated like a once-a-year sermon series. Money is woven throughout Scripture. Financial principles naturally arise in regular preaching because the Bible constantly addresses the heart, priorities, generosity, wisdom, and trust.

When churches avoid financial discipleship, people are left to learn from culture instead of Scripture.

That often leads to:

  • Consumerism
  • Financial anxiety
  • Materialism
  • Poor stewardship habits
  • Family conflict
  • Debt burdens
  • A lack of generosity

Healthy churches intentionally create pathways for financial discipleship instead of treating stewardship as an afterthought.

 

Best Practices for Talking About Money in Church

 

Work Toward Getting Your Own Financial House in Order

Pastors and church leaders should take intentional steps toward healthy stewardship personally.

That does not mean having everything perfectly figured out. It means pursuing faithfulness and growth.

Find trusted people who can help you organize your finances, build a budget, and create a plan for wise stewardship.

Growth starts with honesty and action.

 

Get Educated on Biblical Stewardship

Church leaders should actively pursue financial wisdom and stewardship education.

Helpful resources include:

Scripture says:

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” — Proverbs 21:5 (ESV)

Wise stewardship requires intentional learning and diligence.

 

Be Honest and Relatable

One of the best ways pastors can build trust in financial conversations is through humility and transparency.

Church leaders do not need to expose every struggle publicly, but sharing how God has grown them personally in stewardship helps normalize the conversation.

People connect with honesty more than perfection.

 

Build a Clear Financial Discipleship Pathway

Churches should move beyond occasional sermons and create intentional systems for stewardship discipleship.

This can include:

  • Financial stewardship classes
  • Budgeting workshops
  • Stewardship reviews
  • Small group studies
  • Ongoing teaching on money and contentment
  • Partnerships with stewardship ministries

Financial discipleship becomes far more effective when it is proactive instead of reactive.

 

Final Thoughts

Here is the quiet truth many of us do not want to admit:

The reason many pastors hesitate to talk about money is often the same reason many believers hesitate to fully surrender it. Our hearts become more attached to money than we realize. But Jesus never avoided the topic.

In fact, He spoke about money constantly because He understood that how we handle our finances reveals where our trust truly lies.

So whether you are a pastor, church leader, or church member, start small. Get your own financial house in order. Open God’s Word on the subject of stewardship. Talk about money regularly, not just when the budget is tight.

Faithful stewardship is about freedom, wisdom, trust, and using every resource God has given us for His glory.

Jesus said:

“No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” — Luke 16:13 (ESV)

May we all learn to serve God with open hands and open hearts.

 

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Next Steps

 

Material presented is property of The Stewardology Podcast, a ministry of Life Financial Group and Life Institute. You may not copy, reproduce, modify, create derivative works, or exploit any content without the expressed written permission of The Stewardology Podcast. For more information, contact us at Contact@StewardologyPodcast.com or (800) 688-5800.

The topics discussed in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations.  Investing and investment strategies involve risk including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

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