I have a few contributions paid during the year and approved for future payment. But the approval for future payments is still displayed in the contributions, gifts, and grants paid section. Why?

You may have approved a few payments, and they are yet to be distributed to the respective people or organizations. But when you mention those details in the contribution section, as per the IRS instructions, the amount mentioned as approved for future payment will also be added to the expenses category, even if the amount is still not dispatched.