Mistakes Churches Make with Money: Giving

I am a firm believer in the principle: “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much.” (Lk. 16:10)  I believe that the same principles that govern “faithful management” in the micro setting are fitting and proper in the macro setting.  Therefore, the concepts a Christian finds in the Bible to instruct his personal finance can be applied to small business, big business and yes, churches.  From this viewpoint, I believe you can apply personal principles on the corporate level.  (Aside, I highly regard and respect the financial decisions being made at my own home church.)

 Mistakes Churches Make with Money: Giving

“Give and it will be given to you.” (Lk. 6:38)

“He who waters will himself be watered.” (Prov. 11:25)

I know what you are thinking.  This is going to be a rant on how churches don’t teach giving correctly, legalistic tithing instead of grace giving, manipuation, and on and on.  Far from it.  In fact, this post has nothing to do with what a church is saying on Sunday regarding the subject of giving.  Instead, it has everything to do with what a church is doing Monday – Saturday in terms of generosity.  You see, I think the biggest mistake churches are tempted to make with giving is this:  they themselves do not give.

If you are pastor you are thinking: “Easy for you to say, you haven’t seen our budget.  We are lucky to keep the bills paid and the doors open.”  I understand the stress and difficulty you face in this situation, but you are making the same mistake of your congregants if you think: “If there was more money, then we would give more liberally.  But now, we can not ‘afford’ to do so.”  This is not being faithful with the little things.

I think the church budget that begins to make giving to the poor, needy, and afflicted will find that its congregants will in time follow suit.  A church leadership team that makes giving a great priority sets an example to be followed.  This is the pattern of scripture.

One of the longest explanations of New Testament giving is found in 2 Corinthians Chapter 8.  In this passage, Paul is speaking of the church, not the individual, giving to the needs of another church.  This should be enlightening.  Churches must give due attention to the Biblical call of giving in their own budget long before they can ask the same of their congregation.

Other Mistakes: Leveraging and Lifestyle.