The Takeoff: A Practical Path Toward Greater Generosity

You want to give. You know generosity should be part of your life. But when you look at your bank account, bills, and debt payments, giving feels like something you will do someday.

Someday, when you earn more. Someday, when the debt disappears. Someday, when there is finally room in the budget.

Unfortunately, someday has a way of never arriving.

That is why I developed The Takeoff, a practical plan to help those who are not giving begin moving toward greater generosity. The plan provides a starting point and a clear direction. More importantly, it helps you begin aligning your finances with God’s design for money.

How The Takeoff Works

The Takeoff is a 12-month plan that gradually increases your giving to your local church:

• Months 1–3: Give 1% of your gross income.
• Months 4–6: Give 3%.
• Months 7–9: Give 5%.
• Months 10–11: Give 7%.
• Month 12: Give 10%.

Starting small allows you to begin giving while making adjustments to your spending. Each increase creates another opportunity to evaluate your priorities and practice trusting God.

Why start with your local church? Scripture presents the local church as central to the life and mission of believers. Supporting other ministries can be wonderful, and my family does. But we begin with our church.

The percentages provide structure. Four biblical principles provide the foundation.

1. Giving Is to Be a Priority

Proverbs 3:9 instructs us to honor the Lord with our wealth and the firstfruits of our produce. Giving belongs at the beginning of our financial decisions.

Too often, we reverse that order. We spend, pay bills, save, and then consider giving whatever remains. Usually, little remains.

The Takeoff helps establish a different rhythm. When income arrives, give first. Build your spending plan around that commitment.

Even an initial gift of 1% can represent a meaningful shift in priorities. You are beginning to acknowledge through your financial decisions that everything you have belongs to God.

2. Giving Is to Be Done Proportionally

In 1 Corinthians 16:2, Paul directs believers to set aside money in keeping with their income. The amount someone gives should reflect what God has entrusted to them.

A percentage helps connect giving to provision. Two people can give different dollar amounts while giving the same proportion of their income.

The Takeoff builds on this principle. As your income changes, your giving changes with it. As the planned percentage increases, you intentionally direct a greater share of your resources toward generosity.

This also challenges us when income rises. Increased income creates an opportunity to increase our generosity.

4. Giving Is to Be Done Sacrificially

In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul describes the extraordinary generosity of the Macedonian believers amid poverty and affliction. Their circumstances did not eliminate their desire to give.

Biblical generosity can require meaningful adjustments. You may eat out less, delay a purchase, or cancel a subscription to make room for giving.

Those decisions reveal what we value.

The Takeoff’s gradual increases should move you toward greater sacrifice. Each step invites you to loosen your grip on money and trust God more deeply.

And reaching 10% does not mean you have exhausted what Scripture teaches about generosity. Continue asking how God might lead you to give more.

4. Giving Is to Be Done Cheerfully

Second Corinthians 9:7 teaches that God loves a cheerful giver. Our attitude matters.

The Takeoff should never become a tool for guilt or a way to purchase God’s favor. We give in response to His grace.

Remember what your giving supports: gospel proclamation, discipleship, ministry, and care for people. Pray for those who will be served. Thank God for the opportunity to participate.

As you practice generosity, ask Him to grow your joy alongside your giving.

Take the First Step

If you are not giving, begin. Identify your starting percentage, make room in your budget, and schedule your first gift.

Then keep growing.

The Takeoff points you toward a life in which giving becomes increasingly natural, intentional, and joyful. Ten percent is a milestone along that journey. Keep pursuing a heart that delights in generosity.