Five debilitating myths can keep a pastor from effectively calling people to give.

1. People don't want to give. In one survey we asked, "How pleased are you with your giving to your church?" The majority said they were not pleased. Many said it was one of the weakest areas of their spiritual lives.
   This showed me people do want to give more; they just need practical help. Many want to give more, but they feel they have too many bills. That means I need to teach everything from plastic surgery (cut up the credit cards) to appendectomies (remove unnecessary expenses), so people can get their financial lives in order.
   
2. If we help people, they will generously give back to the church. A brokenhearted pastor once shared with me, "I've poured out my life for these people. I can't understand why they don't give to the ministry."
   I responded, "Which children tend to be the most helpful to their parents? Those who have been spoiled rotten or those who have been taught sacrifice and discipline?"
   I have discovered the people who give the most complain the least, while those who give the least complain the most. People become more loyal and faithful when they are asked to give and serve. Unless we teach biblical giving, people become increasingly self-centered.