Rethinking the Money Sermon
OK folks, I’ve seen two movies in one week…at the cinema, with humans I did not know! Quick reviews: Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day is amazing. Lots of sermon material. Minions and Monsters is hilarious. No sermon material. Choose your adventure.
Speaking of sermons…when was the last time you preached about money?
Last fall when it was Stewardship Season? When you just had to (but that doesn’t mean you liked it)?
You are not alone.
Our relationship with money can be complicated. And that bleeds into how we talk about it. Or if we even want to talk about it.
I grew up in a household where I was told time and again that money was scarce. We had to hang on to the almighty dollar at all costs. We had to buy on sale. Saving was the highest virtue. Giving money away was unheard of because “God helps those who help themselves.”
I had a lot of unlearning to do.
It might have helped to get a little support from the pulpit.
People want to know what leading a life of faith means – both philosophically and practically – even if it’s hard to hear sometimes.
Just this morning, I was listening to a devotional that mentioned, “Shopping is the number one leisure activity in the United States.” In 2025, Amazon brought in $776 billion in revenue. Drive by any outlet mall, and it will be full. What does our faith have to say about it?
If you’re lucky, the lectionary might give you the opportunity to preach on consumerism, money, or generosity.
Zaccheus, the widow’s mite, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
But don’t wait for the right lectionary scripture to come your way.
Jesus spent 15% of his time talking about money and possessions. It was the topic he returned to most often. Eleven of his 39 parables focus on the topic of money and possessions.
What if 15% of your sermons addressed the very real, very practical issue of money, consumerism, and the need for generosity?
Chick Lane, in Embracing Stewardship, says this:
However, the point of sermons about money should not be that money is evil and we are all bad financial managers. Many people have enough money anxiety already and know that they handle money poorly. The Bible invites them into a new, grace-filled, Christ-centered relationship with money. That is good news! (emphasis added)
It is good news to know that money does not have to put you in a stranglehold. That God wants you to live a life of purpose and meaning – including the wise stewardship of the resources that God has provided.
Those are the kind of money sermons that may very well be welcomed by your congregation.
Those are the sermons that can be life changing.
Photo credit: Franz Lester Eusebio @pexels.com
###Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship – helping with capital campaigns and encouraging more generosity. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise millions of dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations. She thinks you can never have too much Minions. Here is their stirring Banana song.
You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered!
Schedule a meeting now.
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