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- Would you want to see a list of the top 50 givers in your church?
Would you want to see a list of the top 50 givers in your church?
Knowing who gave what and how much (and how it could strengthen your community)
To know or not to know, that is the question.
Many pastors are uncomfortable knowing who gives what and how much, and maybe even answered an emphatic no to the above question.
The chief concern is the risk of favoritism and how that may change the dynamic in the community.
We argue that if someone is worried about the risk of favoritism, they’re the least likely to display it if presented with the opportunity.
Now, we’re not saying it's unbiblical not to know who gave what, and we understand the hesitation around having that information. However, it also isn’t unbiblical to know.
That said, consider something with us: What if it was about the stories, not the money?
How knowing the numbers can shed light on community needs
When you can see who gives what and how much, you can see the stories the giving tells.
If a member usually gives X amount per month but skips a month or drops off altogether, it could mean they’re facing financial or spiritual hardship and require support through prayer or otherwise.
On the flip side, if there’s a larger than normal donation, you know who to reach out to and personally thank, and maybe even learn about why they felt called to give what they did.
Learning more about where your congregation is regarding giving — and taking the time to hear the stories attached to that giving or lack thereof — can do more good than harm when properly executed.
And by properly executed, we mean without shaming, guilt-tripping, or playing favorites. This type of information must be handled with genuine curiosity, care, and compassion.
When a pastor can see who is giving what and how much, it can:
Help them navigate their flock better
Inform them of hardships in the congregation
Seek out those struggling to give in obedience to God
Jesus made it clear that money is a spiritual stronghold — we can't worship both God and mammon.
There can be only one top priority in our hearts, and our church family should be there to help us keep God at the helm.
Knowing can work wonders both ways (pastors need accountability, too!)
Knowing this information is another opportunity to find out where your congregation's hearts are, yes — but it’s also a chance to check in on your own.
One pastor who requested to see the list of givers from 51 to 100 — no names, only the range from most to least — ended up not liking where he himself sat on that list.
He knew it was not an accurate place based on his income, and was convicted to adjust accordingly.
Keeping accountability on both sides of the coin can be another way to avoid favoritism and stay on top of what God is asking of us.
Of course, there will be the odd case of those who do not wish to be on thank you lists, follow-up cadences, or calling dockets — that’s okay. For every 1 that is made uncomfortable by knowing their giving habits are viewed, there are 100 others who appreciate the connection and, yes, even the accountability.
Let’s look at some practical ways to think of tracking the giving habits of your flock.
Action Items:
1. Remember to pay attention to the stories, not the numbers
The posture is never, “Where’s your money?” it’s always, “What’s the story?”
A missed check from a regular giver isn’t only a missed check — it could be a sign that something is wrong on either side.
Having that information can mean the difference between losing a member or repairing a relationship, missing a hardship vs supporting a member through a hardship.
2. If names feel like too big of a leap, start with a range
We mentioned the 1 to 50 range — that list can be as detailed or not detailed as needed. Even simply a ranking alongside the total of dollars given can provide a lot of insight.
What that range covers and how often you check it is up to you and your board, as long as you remember to check in with the one whose opinion matters most — our Heavenly Father who knows all and sees all.
3. Don’t shy from potential push-back
The fear of getting pushback from the congregation if they disagree with the pastor knowing who gave what and how much is a strong one.
But, in our view, the fruits of transparency, understanding, and connection far outweigh the disgruntled few who may send the odd feisty email or two.
It’s impossible to please everyone. However, as long as we’re pleasing the Lord, the work is good. Lean into the scripture and focus on bringing more connection and understanding to your community.