Julie Bullock

1. Generosity Must Be a Priority, Not a Leftover

Julie challenges church leaders to think beyond “first in order” giving and embrace “first in priority” giving. Drawing from the story of Cain and Abel, she explains that biblical generosity means allowing giving to shape other financial decisions rather than simply donating what’s left over. For church planters, this culture starts with the leadership team and launch team before the church ever opens its doors.

2. Focus on Spiritual Principles, Not Dollar Amounts

One of the greatest traps in generosity conversations is measuring faithfulness by the size of a gift. Julie reminds leaders that Scripture does not equate larger gifts with greater spiritual maturity. Instead, believers should evaluate whether their giving reflects trust, sacrifice, stewardship, and dependence on God. These heart-level principles matter far more than the amount itself.

3. Don’t Rob People of the Privilege of Giving

Referencing 2 Corinthians 8, Julie encourages pastors not to make assumptions about who can or cannot give. Even believers facing financial challenges can experience joy and spiritual growth through generosity. When leaders avoid talking about giving because they assume someone cannot participate, they may unintentionally deprive that person of an important spiritual opportunity.

4. If the Church Doesn’t Talk About Money, the World Will

Every day, people are bombarded with messages encouraging consumption and materialism. Julie argues that churches have a responsibility to disciple people in how they view money and possessions. Because Jesus directly connected the heart and treasure, pastors should not separate generosity from spiritual formation. Teaching on money is not merely a financial conversation—it’s a discipleship conversation.

5. Build Consistency Into Your Teaching

For churches that preach topically, Julie recommends addressing generosity through dedicated teaching series at least twice per year while also incorporating stewardship themes throughout the year. Churches that preach through books of the Bible should resist the temptation to skip passages dealing with money and generosity. Consistent teaching helps normalize healthy conversations about stewardship.

6. Make Offering Moments Intentional

Offering moments should be planned with the same care as worship songs or sermon preparation. Julie suggests using a variety of biblical themes such as trust, surrender, sacrifice, eternity, and gratitude. Rather than relying primarily on impact stories or repeated giving instructions, churches should regularly connect generosity to spiritual growth and heart transformation. Thoughtful, varied offering moments help keep people engaged and challenged.

7. End-of-Year Giving Should Complement, Not Replace, Everyday Generosity

While year-end giving campaigns can be highly effective, Julie cautions churches against creating a culture where generosity only feels exciting during a special campaign. Leaders should continue emphasizing regular, faithful giving throughout the year so that year-end initiatives become an extension of generosity rather than a substitute for it.

8. Generosity Initiatives Are About Discipleship, Not Just Funding Projects

Whether a church is launching a building campaign, securing its first permanent location, or funding future ministry opportunities, Julie believes the greatest value of a generosity initiative is discipleship. Multi-year commitments challenge people to place God first in their finances and deepen their trust in Him. The spiritual growth of the giver is often just as significant as the ministry impact of the gift itself.