As the year draws to a close, many of us begin thinking about gifts, traditions, resolutions, and how much money is available to spend. But for believers, December offers something more than shopping lists and celebrations. It’s also a time to think about year-end giving.
This practice is more than a convenient tax deduction or a way to support a ministry budget. It is an investment in the Kingdom of God. Year-end gifts to churches and ministry partners are not merely financial transactions but acts of worship to advance God’s mission.
Giving as Worship
From Old Testament temple offerings to Paul’s encouragement in 2 Corinthians 9:7, giving has always been about more than meeting practical needs. It is a declaration of gratitude for God’s provision. When we give, we say, “God, thank You for providing, and I trust You to keep providing.” It’s a way to show we believe He owns it all, and we want to use what He’s given us to honor Him.
Year-end giving provides an intentional moment to pause and reflect: How has God blessed me this year? How have I used what He placed in my hands? And then give. When we give generously, we make it clear that Christ — not money — is our treasure.
Fueling Ministry Together
Churches and ministry organizations often experience their greatest financial needs during the final months of the year. For many ministries, December contributions represent a significant portion of their annual budget. These gifts:
keep missionaries on the field.
sustain local outreach programs.
fund church plants.
ensure churches continue to serve their communities.
When believers give generously at year’s end, they strengthen the local church and extend its reach. Your generosity doesn’t just fill a budget gap. It fuels mission and the gospel. Consider these scenarios: a local church invests in a neighborhood food pantry, which opens doors for gospel conversations. A mission organization trains new pastors overseas, who, in turn, disciple hundreds of believers. A denominational agency invests funds to provide for the retirement needs of pastors who have faithfully served for decades.
None of these efforts happen without the generosity of God’s people. Year-end giving is one of the clearest ways we demonstrate we are all working together on God’s mission.
Kingdom Investment
Honestly, I get how giving sometimes feels like subtraction. But Jesus flips that thinking upside down. In Matthew 6:20, He said to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” In other words, Jesus said generosity is not subtraction; it’s an eternal investment.
When Christians give at year’s end, they do not lose money. They invest it in the work of the Kingdom. The money becomes food for the hungry, Bibles for new believers, scholarships for Christian education, and support for missionaries. It is seed that produces an eternal harvest.
A Call to Prayerful Generosity
As 2025 comes to an end, take time to ask God how He wants you to give. Reflect on His faithfulness throughout the past year. Consider how your church and ministry partners are advancing the gospel. Ask God to show you how your generosity can meet needs, fuel mission, and invest in eternal treasures.
When we view year-end giving as an act of worship and a Kingdom investment, the result extends far beyond budgets and balance sheets. Souls are saved, lives are touched, churches are strengthened, missionaries are sustained, and the name of Christ is magnified.
This year, don’t see your gift as one more item on the to-do list. See it for what it truly is: an opportunity to worship God, bless His people, and invest in His eternal Kingdom.
About the Writer: Chris Compton is the CFO of Richland Ave Financial. He graduated in 2007 with an M.A. in Bible exposition from Columbia International University. A 1998 graduate of East Tennessee State University, he has more than two decades of administrative/financial experience in varied fields, and seven years in pastoral ministry.
