If a congregation waits until the end of the year to see if there’s any money left for missions, ...

Or if the budget is tight, and a congregation cuts its mission giving in order to make ends meet, ...

Or if giving to others is seen as unimportant …

Then members of your congregation are likely to do the very same thing themselves — waiting until the end of the year, the end of the month, the end of the week to see if there’s anything leftover in their household budget or in their wallet to give.  Consequently, giving is likely be reduced.  A reduction in money for missions easily becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

On the other hand, if a congregation lists its giving for others at the top of its budget — and gives to others first, before taking care of its own ministry expenses, then it models giving to others first — off the top — and, by example, teaches more effectively than any stewardship campaign words can ever teach.  Actions speak louder than words!