Book Review: Generosity with a Capital G by Wendy Pawsey

Book Review: Generosity with a Capital G by Wendy Pawsey

How reading this book will help unlock generosity in your givers

“The world we live in could be dramatically enhanced; Christian organisations, churches, outreaches and missions would be able to reach more people with the gospel and be properly resourced.”

We’ve all been there as fundraisers, treasurers and leaders. We’ve seen the budgets, we know the expectations, and we’ve calculated the shortfall that needs to be filled. But where’s the money going to come from? How do we unlock those extra finances?

Regular giving from donors can provide a solution. Through faithful, committed giving, the work can be funded and allowed to grow sustainably. But for many Christian organisations, including Churches, encouraging people to give in the first place - and/or increase their committed giving - can be a tricky task. That’s where Wendy’s book comes in, offering a great steer on how to change that narrative.

Wendy works for the Evangelical Alliance as Head of Giving and is a passionate advocate for generosity motivated by her Christian faith. Yes, it can be a sacrifice but the outcomes of generosity far outweigh any concerns. Here are three things you can do to encourage generosity in your church members and committed donors, based on the insights from this book:

1.     Communicate that generosity is part of worship

Wendy’s wider research shows that, on average, the UK Christian gives just 2.5% of their monthly income to Christian causes (check out www.stewardship.org.uk for more). Yet the Bible speaks of tithing 10% of income to God. So why the gap? Could it be that although money is mentioned more in the Bible than faith and prayer, we talk about it much less? If that’s the case, it’s time to start the conversation. Wendy presents the idea that ‘money can be used to worship and raise up the name of Jesus’. Giving isn’t an obligation but an opportunity to worship God, honour Him and equip ministries in His name. Generosity needn’t be begrudged, it can be a joyful act of worship.

2.     Share stories of giving

Wendy shares numerous stories of generosity, either where she’s been the recipient of generosity, seen and heard of extreme generosity and where she has been generous herself. There are moments in the book where I was so inspired that I had to pause my reading and think, ‘I want to give right now!’ As Wendy puts it, ‘generosity breeds generosity’ It’s incredibly contagious. By sharing stories of giving, we break the silence around it, encouraging others to get involved. When we stop keeping our giving a secret, others are inspired to do the same.

3.      Give people the chance to grow a spiritual gift

In Romans 12, the spiritual gifts of prophesy, teaching, and leading often take centre stage, but the gift of giving is frequently overlooked. Wendy reiterates that while the more visible gifts might get special attention, the gift of giving holds equal weight in the eyes of Paul. When we give, we’re not only worshipping God and equipping ministries, but we’re also nurturing a spiritual gift within ourselves. The more we give, the more the gift can grow. So, when someone gives to your church or charity, they are not just giving, they’re growing in their spiritual journey. To help that process, provide opportunities for people to respond to appeals, increase their giving regularly, and offer support through events.

I wholeheartedly recommend reading Wendy’s book. It’s accessible to a wide audience, filled with inspiration, Scripture references, and practical ways to transform your approach to generosity. It’s more than just about giving, it’s about changing lives, including your own.