In this conversation, Tim Kiser interviews Heath Hiatt, the lead pastor for Heartland Church in Indiana, about stewardship in the local church.

They discuss why people give and the challenges of balancing the church's vision with the congregation's financial needs. Heath shares his experience of navigating financial difficulties and emphasizes the importance of integrity and faith in difficult times.

They also talk about the connection between giving and the impact on people's lives and the need for empathy and understanding when people face financial struggles. The conversation explores the topics of giving, prosperity gospel, and dependency on God.

It emphasizes the importance of giving graciously and being a conduit for God's resources. The speakers discuss the dangers of extreme poverty and wealth and the need to find a balance. They also touch on the role of faith and trust in God's provision and the importance of prioritizing a relationship with Him over material wealth.

The conversation concludes with discussing Heartland Church's model and its efforts to help churches in small towns.

Takeaways

• People in the local church either give a lot or almost not, with very few giving an average of 2.5% of their income.
• Churches can encourage giving by explaining where the funds are going and their impact on ministries and people's lives.
• Balancing the church's vision with the congregation's financial needs requires strategic budgeting and maintaining integrity.
• Financial difficulties can be an opportunity for growth and empathy, and faith is not the absence of problems but trusting that God is bigger than the problem.
• Empathy for those facing financial struggles, regardless of the circumstances, is important in supporting and understanding their situation. It is also important to give graciously and be a conduit for God's resources.
• Extreme poverty and wealth are dangerous, and finding a balance is crucial.
• Faith and trust in God's provision are essential, and prioritizing a relationship with Him is key.
• Heartland Church is working on church adoptions to help struggling churches in small towns.

Sound Bites

• "People either give actually quite a bit or almost not at all."
• "Explaining what they're giving is going towards and why we give."
• "You should be generous because this is best for you."
• "But when you actually receive in humility and brokenness like that, it's easier to give graciously later on, and you won't come across as the savior of anybody being the one who's meeting the need."
• "God is looking for pipes and not puddles. He's looking for someone to grab ahold of and put something in, especially now."
• "They're a conduit, and it's not stopping up with them."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Background

02:45
Challenges in Encouraging Giving

07:21
The Addictive Nature of Generosity

23:09
Giving Graciously and Humbly

26:48
The Prosperity Gospel and Money

30:46
Dependence on God and Maturity

33:28
Trusting in God for Provision

35:12
Serving and Supporting One Another

Thanks for listening!

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