Giving, it's the cornerstone of every congregation, but when times are tough, members can begin losing faith in their finances.

"With the economy the way it is, it's very difficult for people to think; well, I need to pay my own bills and write a check for the church," said John Nevin, Stewardship Chair at St. Paul Episcopal Church in Lansing.

The church is one of many trying to make sure Michigan's struggling economy doesn't trickle down into their ministry.

"This is the time of year when we begin to count up for a budget for 2009, and times are very difficult in Michigan, Lansing especially, the statewide economy will effect the church economy," said Rector Gordon Weller of St. Paul Episcopal Church.

So, pastors decided to bring in a well noted author to keep the spirit of giving alive in the church.

"If this economic crash has taught us anything, it is that it is an illusion for us to think that we can find any security in anything material," said Stephen McSwain, author of 'The Giving Myths.'

McSwain addressed the congregation Sunday to spread the word of generosity in the hopes of pumping up members to pay it forward in the church.

" I would want people to leave giving thought to that, and to make some decision to be more generous in the way they live, in sharing their resources and their abundance with the world," McSwain said.

"What we're trying to do here is show folks that the more you give the more you get," Nevin said.

Hoping and praying that members will keep on giving even though the economy keeps on taking.