Why 78% of Christians Give Less Than 2% (And What We Can Do About It)

The shocking disconnect between Sunday faith and Monday finances

Last week, I was reviewing giving statistics from various Christian research organizations, and I came across a number that stopped me cold:

78% of Christians give less than 2% of their income to their church.

Let that sink in for a moment.

We're talking about people who claim to follow Jesus Christ, the One who gave His life for them, and yet the vast majority give less than the cost of a monthly Netflix subscription to advance His kingdom.

But before we start throwing stones, let me ask you an honest question: Why do you think this is happening?

The Uncomfortable Truth

After twenty years in ministry and countless conversations about money and faith, I've discovered that this isn't primarily a heart problem; it's an education problem.

Most Christians have simply never been taught what the Bible actually says about money.

Think about it: Jesus talked about money more than heaven and hell combined. He told 38 parables, and 16 of them were about possessions and stewardship. Yet when was the last time you heard a comprehensive sermon series on biblical stewardship?

When was the last time someone taught you how to be generous instead of just telling you that you should be generous?

The Four Root Causes

Through my research, I've identified four primary reasons for this giving gap:

1. Biblical Illiteracy About Money

Most Christians can quote John 3:16, but they've never heard of Luke 12:21: "So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

We know the salvation verses but not the stewardship verses.

2. Church Hurt and Suspicion

Let's be honest, scandals involving televangelists and prosperity preachers have made many Christians suspicious of anyone talking about money from the pulpit.

I get it. I've seen the damage done by leaders who twist Scripture for financial gain.

3. Cultural Conditioning

We live in a culture that screams "It's YOUR money!" from every corner. The idea that we might be stewards rather than owners feels foreign, even offensive.

4. Lack of Practical Framework

Even Christians who want to be generous often don't know where to start. How much should I give? To what? When? Why?

Without a biblical framework, we default to emotional giving or no giving at all.

What John Newton Discovered

Here's what gives me hope: some of history's greatest Christians faced these same struggles and found a way through.

Take John Newton, the former slave trader who wrote "Amazing Grace." Before his conversion, Newton was driven by one thing: profit. He accumulated wealth through one of the most horrific industries in human history.

But after his dramatic conversion, Newton made a discovery that changed everything:

Generous living isn't about what God wants FROM you, it's about what God wants FOR you.

Newton began giving away most of his income. He supported theological education, helped the poor, and played a key role in the movement to abolish slavery in England.

When people asked him why he gave so much away, Newton would say: "If I ever reach heaven, I expect to find three wonders there: first, to meet some I had not thought to see there; second, to miss some I had expected to see there; and third, the greatest wonder of all, to find myself there."

Newton understood that everything he had was a gift of grace. Generous giving wasn't a burden; it was a joyful response to overwhelming mercy.

The Path Forward

So, what can we do about this 78% problem?

First, we need to start with the Gospel, not guilt. Generous giving must flow from gratitude for what Christ has done for us, not from manipulation or obligation.

Second, we need biblical education. Christians need to understand what Scripture teaches about money, stewardship, and the local church.

Third, we need practical frameworks. It's not enough to say "be generous." We need to teach people how to move from financial anxiety to kingdom confidence.

Fourth, we need to address the hurt. Many Christians have been wounded by churches or leaders who mishandled money. Healing must happen before healthy giving can occur.

A Personal Challenge

I'm currently working on a comprehensive resource to address these issues—a 28-day journey through biblical stewardship that I believe could help close this giving gap.

But in the meantime, let me challenge you with this: What if the reason you're not experiencing the joy of generous living isn't because you don't have enough money, but because no one has ever taught you how to think about money the way God thinks about it?

What if there's a better way?

Questions for Reflection

1. Do you fall into the 78% or the 22%? Be honest.
2. What's your biggest obstacle to generous giving?
3. Have you ever been taught a biblical framework for stewardship?
4. What would change if you truly believed that everything you have belongs to God?

What's Next?

Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing more insights from my research into biblical stewardship. If you found this post helpful, I'd encourage you to subscribe to my newsletter for updates on this project.

Because here's what I believe: If we can solve the stewardship problem, we can transform the church. And if we can transform the church, we can change the world.

The question is: Are you ready to be part of the solution?

What do you think? Have you noticed this giving gap in your own church or life? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

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