The verse above is inspiring for church leaders and church goers alike. The setting of the story is this: David calls all of the people together and announces that his son, Solomon, will take on the task of building a dwelling place for the Lord. He then preceds to describe the provisions he himself has set aside for the job. Then, he challenges the leaders of Israel to respond to the call:

“Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the LORD today?’ Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly.” (1 Chron. 29:5-6)

If you haven’t read this account from 1 Chronicles, put it on your list. It is a great example of: radical generosity, unity in task and purpose, and pure, willing, wholehearted contribution. But today, we are just focusing in on one particular aspect: Leadership.

In this passage we see two tremendous acts of leadership. David and the other leaders of Israel set the tone for the nation. They led by example. David puts the plan in motion and the leadership of God’s people respond to his example. He gives willingly, joyfully, and generously. The leaders do likewise, and the people rejoice. There is great encouragement (and conviction) in this passage for leaders of today’s churches.

I firmly believe that the church budget and church leaders set the example for congregants to follow. When the church budget is generous to God’s kingdom, missions, and those in need (not maintaining and up-grading church lifestyle), the people follow suit. I encourage church leadership to emulate David and Israel’s leaders’ example. When church budgets and church leader’s personal finances show generosity and purpose, the people will follow.

I have been fortunate enough to see this in my own church. The elders and pastors, convicted by the Spirit and the word of God, made it goal to pay off our building’s mortgage as fast as possible and use extra available income (from not having the payment) to invest in God’s kingdom and our community, and money started pouring in. People were inspired by the church’s example and started taking to task their own personal debt. I think there is a great lesson for church leadership in this account. The people rejoiced when they saw a God-ordained example to follow. Let us pray for the same thing in today’s congregations.

Normally I try to avoid commenting negatively on current events/authors/books/etc. because it can create divisions that might not be necessary, instigate battles that really aren’t worth fighting, and divert our attention off of the centrality of Christ and the gospel.  But, when I read this I felt led to make a post.  However, I do want to clarify that this post is NOT a rant against megachurches or a critique of the Crystal Cathedral’s theological soundness (Trust me, there is already plenty of that material out there!)  Instead, what I intend to do is look at their situation and see if there are any lessons that Christians and churches can learn from.  I found several things:

1. “Faithful with a few things…” (Matt. 25:21)  The first reaction to this article is something like:  “43 MILLION IN DEBT!?!  Are you kidding me?”  I will be the first to admit, the number is astounding but I think we aren’t being honest with ourselves.  The church had 10,000 members.  What if we downsized the number by one decimal place?  What if it was a church with 4.3 million in debt and had around a 1,000 members.  Then, all of the sudden we have a situation not too unlike many churches in America.  It’s only because the numbers are so high that the debt seems shocking.  But in reality, they have done what many churches across the land have done.  (That’s $4,300 debt/member for those of you who want to compare apples to apples in your own orchard.)  Don’t get me wrong, I am NOT trying to argue that the 43 million is no big deal.  Quite the contrary.  I hope the craziness of the Crystal Cathedral’s debt causes all of those thousand something churches with a few million in debt to reconsider their situation.  There really is no difference between the two in my mind.  Jesus said who is faithful with little, will be entrusted with much.  Let’s make sure that we look to ourselves before casting any stones.  Let’s strive to create a church 100% in debt to the Lord not a to a lender.  (Check out my post on whether or not churches should borrow money here.)

2. “How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market.” (John 2:16)  When you read the article, there is outstanding debt to vendors, advertisers to live animal rental (I didn’t know such a thing existed!).  There are lawyers, repayment plans, and a coalition of vendors.  When you read all of these things it makes it sound a whole lot more like a business than a church.  Again, easy to cast the stone without looking to ourselves.  I think this is one of the biggest cultural shifts in the American church over the past 20 years.  Churches are tempted to become a business packaging a product for consumption than a church offering the gospel.  Again, I am NOT trying to bash the Crystal Cathedral.  I just think when you look at the complexity of its operation, it appears to resemble a business more than a church.  Christ strongly condemned the men who turned the temple into a market.  I fear He has similar feelings towards some of the things going on in churches today.  I pray that Christians in America would begin, like Christ, to purge such tendencies from our churches.  This is no small matter.  Think about the intensity with which Jesus took to this task.  Pray for purity in our churches.

3. “He who gathers in the summer is a son who acts wisely.” (Prov. 10:5)  A pastor is quoted saying that the church couldn’t cut expenses fast enough when contributions decreased.  Many churches lack financial margin.  A church, no matter how big or small, must be able to weather storms and survive droughts.  In a way this ties back into point number one regarding leveraging, but I think all churches can step back and think about how they would fair if contributions dropped by 30% (as they did for the Crystal Cathedral). 

All in all, it is easy to cast the stone at the Crystal Cathedral without looking at ourselves.  I think they made mistakes similar to many churches across America, albeit on a much larger scale.  Let’s take what we can from this event and learn from it.

“They received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning. And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work which he was performing, and they said to Moses, ‘The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the LORD commanded us to perform.’ So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp, saying, ‘Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary.’ Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more. For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it.” (Ex. 36:3-7)

WOW!  Sounds like a dream come true.  When was the last time a church had to turn away money because they had more than enough to accomplish their goal?!?  It is inspiring.  But the story of the Tabernacle is full of God’s wisdom for the modern ministry seeking to raise funds.

1. Don’t raise funds until “The Lord has commanded.”  Sometimes we are tempted to think that as long as we are doing anything “Christian” the Lord is behind us.  This is not the case.  We must try to be more patient in our attempts to build, expand, set out, and accomplish.  More time in prayer to hear the calling of God clearly will give more peace and persistence in getting the funds raised.  Please, I urge you, don’t assume anything a church or ministry attempts to do “has to” succeed because it is a church or ministry doing it.  Wait until you are certain “the Lord has commanded it” and you will be assured of His provision.

2. WAIT for God’s provision.  This passage is inspirational because it shows how limitless God’s provision truly is.  These people are wandering around in the desert and are able to bring more than was needed!  And yet, we bite our fingernails because the stock market is slipping and we know that is going to affect contributions.  Let us rely more heavily on God’s ability to fund His work.  If we are willing to wait and trust Him for it, we can raise all we need and more in the middle of the desert!  Secondly, Moses could be assured that He was following the call of God because God provided.  Borrowing money or relying on commitment cards can cloud the water.  If you wait for God to provide for His work, you will be more assured that you are following His commands.

3. Look within first.  A chapter earlier, we find this verse: “Let every skillful man among you come, and make all that the LORD has commanded.” (Ex. 35:10)  Sometimes it is tempting to fly someone in from somewhere who knows what they are doing.  There is nothing wrong with this type of action, but I think there is a blessing on churches that look within to do their work.  Look “among you” for your needs.  You will be surprised at what you may find (and plus, you are allowing those people you find opportunities for growth and engagement).

4. Set a ceiling.  The people were restrained by Moses from bringing anymore.  This is something we never see in modern America.  I think there are two reasons for this.  First, as you well know- Christians don’t give as they ought.  Contributions are few and far between and seldom generous.  More on this later.  Secondly, churches do not set a ceiling for their contributions.  Suppose there was a church whose congregants were bringing in far more than the church budget.  Would they be restrained?  Would they be encouraged to give somewhere else?  Not usually.  Churches must begin to pray about how much is needed to do the work for which the Lord has appointed them.  Too often churches resemble their congregants and react to increased contributions with an immediate upgrade in “lifestyle”. 

5. Start with the heart.  After Moses addressed the people of God with the need, he let them go.  Then, in Exodus 35:21: “Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the LORD’S contribution for the work.”  Fund raising must rely solely on the Spirit to convict congregants deep within their  heart to bring what is needed.  Too often we rely on faith commitment cards, emotional videos, and on, and on.  (these things aren’t bad but they shouldn’t be focus of our fund raising)  The ministry that relys entirely on the Spirit will not be dissappointed.

An in depth studying of Biblical borrowing should leave believers with mixed emotions.  Borrowing is never forbidden in the scriptures, but according to Burkett- it is always presented in the negative.  The most compelling argument, in my opinion, is that God never once used a loan to accomplish His work.  There is not a single example of God leveraging His work anywhere in the Bible.  Throughout the Bible God always used contributions not credit to fund His work. Why should we assume this model has changed?

In light of these things, Burkett comes up with 5 Reasons Why Churches Should Not Borrow (summarized)

1. Church leaders must study Scripture to see if borrowing is a compromise.
2. Borrowing denies God’s people the opportunity to see His blessings and generosity coming from His people as His provision.
3. Servicing debt restricts a church’s ability to serve.
4. The loan puts pressure on pastors to keep everyone happy and everyone giving.
5. Contributions go to interest payments not the work of the Gospel: “Many major denominations spend more on interest payments than on foreign missions.”

In conclusion, I (along with Larry Burkett) believe that a church that decides not to borrow has taken the higher road.  I believe this for the following reasons.

A church committed to avoiding debt demonstrates…

1. Patience as they wait for God to provide the resources.
2. Trust in God to provide what is needed.
3. Submission to the will of God in the event funding does not arrive.
4. A powerful witness that God will provide for His work.
5. The ability to bless others instead of servicing debt.
6. Freedom to follow God’s instruction not terms of contracts.

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.

 Mistakes Churches Make with Money: Leveraging

“The borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” (Prov. 22:7)

“Say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, “Oh that someone would give us meat to eat! For we were well-off in Egypt.” Therefore the LORD will give you meat and you shall eat.  You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you; because you have rejected the LORD who is among you and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?” But Moses said, “The people, among whom I am, are 600,000 on foot; yet You have said, ‘I will give them meat, so that they may eat for a whole month.’  Should flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Or should all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?”  The LORD said to Moses, “Is the LORD’S power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not.” (Num. 11:18-23) 

The church is just as likely to make the same mistake of the individual Christian:  Likely to believe that borrowing money is a must for success.  Leveraging your future is a cultural norm that has crept its way into church theology.  New members arrive, space is tight, and a new building must be built.  Before the attendance figures are in for this quarter an elder who has a friend in banking has gotten a quote.

Now, before going any further I must clarify that I am not making the argument that it is sinful for a church to take out a loan or that building a bigger building is evil.  What I am trying to argue is this: churches are just as likely as an individual to rationalize themselves into unreasonable amounts of debt.

The Bible clearly teaches two things:  debt can create unnecessary bondage and God’s power is never limited to accomplish His purposes.  In light of these two truths, I would challenge churches to handle debt with a lot more caution and consistency than is present in contemporary American church culture.

Just as the over-leveraged congregant has spent too much money his car, house, vacation, and college degree and thereby has no money left after honoring his debts, several churches do not have funds available to give or support their members after paying their bills.  Small groups pay for their own Bible study materials because the church is footing the bill for the Youth Complex that was supposed to draw in a new wave of younger attendees.  Sadly, most churches do not recognize this mistake until it is too late.

I challenge all church leaders: Look to the Lord before the lender.  “Is the Lord’s power limited?”

I dream of churches that refuse to borrow money on the grounds that if the Lord really wants them to build, expand, or take on a new initiative they will wait for Him to bring the funds.  Some may argue that it is a matter of faith to build a new building and trust that God will provide.  I disagree with this on the grounds that there is not a single instance in the entire Bible where God asks His people to borrow money to do His work.  In fact, upon entering the Promised Land God instructs His people not to borrow (Deu. 15:6)  Instead, I believe it takes more faith to wait for God’s provision to make His will known.

Other Mistakes: Giving and Lifestyle.

 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.