The issue
Billy Graham once said that a person’s wallet is the truest statement of his theology. Even if only partially true, what churches say and do about money is always an important sign of what is valued.
The New Testament has much to say about money and possessions. Two chapters of 2 Corinthians are devoted to the issue; but interestingly never use the word ‘money’; the currency is not dollars or sterling but ‘grace’. Paul’s starting point is ‘rich generosity’ with a fascinating equation (severe trial, joy and extreme poverty are not normally among an accountant’s ‘search categories’). This is about the ‘heart’ attitude (see part 1 of this series) as key to the wallet.
Ingredient 1: discipleship in money
Jesus speaks about:
- Our inability to serve two masters
- One’s life not consisting in the abundance of possessions
- The deceitfulness of riches
With Paul adding:
- The love of money being the root of all kinds of evil
Part 1 speaks of money as a rival god and so discipleship in money is more than just about ‘giving’ to the church. In confronting its power we have to ask:
- What place does money have in my life?
- How important is the need for possessions to my wellbeing and self-esteem?
Once we grasp this, we can talk about generosity and one of its many elements – financial giving. But the purpose of giving is important. It is not because the church needs it, but because we need to be generous givers. Giving is for our own sake, to be more like God. I have found it to be a core part of my spiritual health.
Increasingly, we should address personal budgeting, debt and money management; all reasons why people who want to give don’t. Personal debt is a common cause of emotional suffering and sleep deprivation for a staggering proportion of people in the UK, including people in our churches.
Ingredient 2: talking about money
Some church leaders talk a lot about money, often because the church wants more of it. This is not a good enough reason.
More don’t talk at all:
- We don’t like asking – isn’t it better to give than to receive?
- We’ve seen ‘giving’ taught, but for self-interest
- It feels like ‘singing for my supper’
- We say people’s ‘No’ for them – expecting kick back
- We haven’t got our own money sorted – how can I teach others?
None of these is a good enough reason. Interestingly, if you were to teach on money and possessions in proportion to their occurrence in scripture you would do so even more frequently than about faith or prayer!
Ingredient 3: the leaders’ own relationships with money
It’s good to do some self-assessment. As a leader – whether pastor, teacher, trustee or treasurer – assess where you stand and be open to what God may be seeking to teach you. Are you:
- In its debt too much?
- Accountable about your finances?
- Giving generously?
Rewards of a good attitude
A good attitude will see churches:
- Demonstrating the heart of Jesus
- Engaging and discipling church members and supporters
- Fulfilling the New Testament call to be generous and well resourced
- Being ‘good to give to’
Free linked resources:
Raising the Standard – transforming the culture of money in the church
Financial Health Check for Churches
Your Money and Your Life – an index of resources
Clipping the coin – reflections on tithing
The Debt Sentence – how your Church can help People in debt
Gifts to PastorsOther resources:
Seasons of Giving – a group resource for small groups and churches
Written by Guest Writer, Stephen Mathews.