Mistakes Churches Make with Money: Lifestyle

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. This is a post where I really have to commend the leadership of my church.  They have put hands and feet to the concept of “living within your means” and in a sense gave me the idea of applying personal finance principles to church budgets.)

Mistakes Churches Make with Money: Lifestyle

“Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline.” (Prov. 13:18)

“But the fruit of the spirit is…self-control.” (Gal. 5:22-23)

There is a simple financial concept that Bible study, good theology and common sense all point to: live within your means.  A phrase our grandparents understood far better than us.  Sitting down for some financial counseling or advice, I think the average pastor would have no problem instructing a congregant to to spend less than they make.  It’s plain common sense while looking from a distance, but inside the situation we have an all together different animal.

A believer that cannot keep from spending, constantly increasing and upgrading his lifestyle with increases in income and promotions often resembles the church that bears the burden of “success”.  Many Americans are drawn into overspending to keep up with the Joneses.  Sadly, at times churches fall into the same trap.  “The church across town has an awesome youth group and we are starting to lose members…what could we do to draw new members?”  And there the cycle begins.

Americans have been raised believing that bigger is better and more is to be adored.  We see this in our own lives when we refuse to cap our lifestyle and bless others with the excess.  When we make more, we spend more.  Some of this is unavoidable, but most of it is by our own choice.  It is not wrong to up your lifestyle, build bigger or want more, but this cannot be the governing paradigm which with we guide our lives.  There must be a heavy dose of Biblical contentment.

I challenge churches to live within your means.  Do not immediately spend everything that is coming in.  There is wisdom in being patient, conservative, and content.  “Success” has often brought about the financial downfall of a church.  More and more money and people are coming through the door and offering plate and the instant response is: expand, grow, build, advance, upgrade.  In all of the madness, self-control is lost.

The church that lives within its means shows patience, maturity, and responsibility.  Like so many other things, this mentality will begin to show up in its members.

Other Mistakes: Giving and Leveraging.