-
CHURCH FINANCES
This subject may be considered among some of the more neglected subjects on which there is adequate teaching in the Scriptures Many preachers fail to preach on it as often as it is needed because some impugn their motives every time there is a sermon on giving. They accuse the preacher of seeking personal gain, interested only in money, etc. Since the financial affairs of the church are overseen and handled by others, there is no cause to assume such motives when this subject is discussed.
It is not a popular subject with many because they are covetous and stingy. They resist the truth because it cuts into their use of money for their own selfish aims and ambitions. But if one really wants to know how to please God in the matter of giving, then he will welcome every opportunity to give this subject a thorough study Preaching on giving is not merely a "plea for money." It's an effort to influence the heart and provoke people to learn what God wants.
A Study In Sacrifice
Church finances are inseparable from the study of sacrifices. Christianity is built and maintained by sacrifices. God gave, Christ gave, we give. "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor that through his poverty might be rich." (II Corinthians 8:9) and "if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23). Its never asking "too much" to ask a Christian to sacrifice for the cause of Christ. So much of the finances of the church ~~re pro~ idea from leftovers." We ought not sacrifice our giving to the Lord so we can have other things. If anything, it must be the other way around.
Follow God's Way
Men have devised many ways to "raise money" for their religious activities. They conduct bazaars, suppers, raffles, show, operate businesses and any number of other ways of gaining funds for "church" work. In such things, people become merely spenders, not givers. God's plan for finances of the church is given in I Corinthians 16:2. "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, that there be no gatherings when I come." This tells when, who, how, and how much, along with II Corinthians 9:6,7. "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver. " Did not Christ teach, "It is more blessed to give than receive?" (Acts 20:15).
We have had it asked of us, "How can you plan the expenditures for the church when you do not have any control over your members about giving?" Some have inquired, "Don't you have some system of assessment? Don't you send regular statements? Don't you have special fund-raising programs?" The answer to such questions reflects a lack of confidence in the Lord's plan. It is true that some may take advantage of the Lord's plan and not give as they ought. But God controls through the conversion of the heart, and not through statements, harassments, schemes, and such like.
We Give Regularly
We are to give upon the first day of the week. This is so logical, inasmuch as Christians meet for worship on that day to observe the Lord's Supper as well. Unlike the Lord's Supper, we are not prohibited from giving at other times because we have the reaching, "Let us do good unto all men," which is prefaced by the phrase, "as we have therefore opportunity." (Galatians 6:10). But there is strength in regularity of giving just as there is strength in regularity of assembling and engaging in the other items of worship to God. There is actually nothing wrong with taking a contribution every time we meet, if it be necessary. It might leave the impression that money is the main thing. And if one had given as he should have given earlier he will not be giving later. But this falls under the heading of using good judgment and still giving opportunity to give as giving ought to be done. Contributions are often taken other than at the first day of the week assemblies when the need demands it. There is no wrong in that, but it is not always expedient.
All Are Involved
Who is to give? The Scripture says "every one of you..." Every Christian is expected to be involved in giving. Now this does not demand that each one must necessarily, actually, and literally place something in the collection basket as it is circulated among the worshipers. A man and his wife may both be giving even though only one of them writes the check and places it in basket. But both are giving. Both are involved. Both should know and be included in determining the matter. We recognize that when a man is paving the utility bill, the whole family is paying the utility bill So it is when just one member of the family does the actual placing of the money into the collection. When both a man and his wife are earning money, their entire income should be so ordered when determining their giving. It is not knowing that the income earned by many wives is totally ignored when it comes to the amount to be given.
One has asked "What if you cannot give?" We have never known when such ".as the case. Consider the widow's mite of Luke. to the place where she felt she could not give. I have known of people borrowing to give. They borrow for just about anything else that they want.
The Sinner's Gift
Shall we accept gifts from non-Christians? I know of no specific teaching on that subject. One has suggested that we let the Lord get use of it for a while since the devil has had it long enough. We might needlessly offend Furthermore, is it not right to use your opportunity to use for the cause of Christ
"How" And "How Much"
People often concern themselves with "how much to give." It has been my experience that if we would concentrate more on "how to give the "how much" will naturally follow and be as it ought to be. Paul commended the brethren of Macedonia in their giving because they "first gave their own selves to the Lord." (II Corinthians 8:5). When a person has given himself to God, he will not withhold his money from the financing of the work of the church. The Christian faith is a very personal matter and nobody can do your part in giving for you anymore than one can partake of the Lord's Supper for you. Giving is a personal matter. God does not leave it to others to determine "how much" anyone gives. Even God has not set any specified percentage, as was the case in the Old Testament. The Jews tithed, and some have calculated that throughout the year they gave as much as one third of their prosperity into the treasury of the Lord. We are to give liberally, cheerfully, bountifully, and through love. Giving is a test of love. It is a matter where each one much examine himself. It may be worthwhile in comparing what we give for the church with what we do in other activities. We may see why we have suggested that many times the church is financed with "left-overs."
Questions
Let us consider some of the questions raised about church finances, some of which involve human judgment. Who is to oversee the distribution of the funds of the church? The eldership has the oversight of the congregation (I Peter 5:2), and this includes the finances.
Shall We Pledge
Is it right to "pledge"? If we purpose in our giving as we are commanded to do, we are pledging. Now, whether we tell someone else, like the elders, what we have purposed or not is another matter. It is my judgment that giving should be kept private. There is a way of accomplishing the advantages and benefits of "pledging" without invading privacy if desired. It is an advantage to the eldership to have some real concept of how much to anticipate as they plan the expenditures. Pledging helps them along that line. But this can be done with anonymous revelation of intentions. This is what I recommend, if such an approach is to be used at all. Asking people to sit down and write out what they intend to do will usually provoke some serious study by some who otherwise would never do it. We make promises and pledges to others for everything we buy on credit and sign our names. Surely, there ought not be any objection to revealing our intentions if we are not required to make known just who intends what. Purposing is a command whether you call it pledging or whatever.
Considering Some Expediences
Can a church have a treasurer? Some have considered the treasurer to be an addition to the "officers of the church. But a treasurer is simply one who has the care of the funds. He is not like an elder or deacon In fact, he may or may not be either one. But he is simply one who is assigned the work of caring for the money records Just as another may be assigned to care for the baptismal garments. He does not oversee the distribution of those funds. The eldership does that. He merely keeps good records of what is done and does the necessary physical labor involved in attending to such things.
Budget
Should a church have a budget? It is a matter of judgment. and I certainly think good business practices apply in handling the funds of the church A budget is nothing more than financial goals and plans. It is not set in concrete. Some brethren have turned down opportunities to help in worthy efforts because "it is not in the budget~ The budget is not the law of the Medes and Persians It '-an be changed if necessary.
"Special"
Should there ever be "special" contributions? If everyone gave as they ought, would there ever be a need for it? Yes, even if people gave as they ought, there might arise needs that would justify a "special" contribution. Opportunities and emergencies arise that could not be anticipated. Sacrifice has not floor level in it. Whether to have a "special" contribution ought be over, above, and beyond the regular one or all you are doing is gathering what ought to have been given already. But some situations may call for greater sacrifice and a "special" contribution may be permitted. "As we have opportunity..." seems to govern this.
Matter of Oversight
Should there be more than one treasury? Some places have treasuries in Bible classes. The eldership is to have the oversight of the affairs of the congregation and there ought not be situations where others are governing the distribution of contributions. If some wish to make up a fund in a class, let it be given into the regular treasury under the oversight of the eldership, and not have separate accounts under the oversight
Reports
Should there be a financial report to all members? This is nothing but good sense and good judgment. It is for the protection of those who handle the money for the church as well as a source of information and encouragement for the membership. Is it anybody's business what I give? Yes, it is the Lord's business. We have an obligation to other brethren to carry our share of the load when we are in fellowship in such things. We may not have to report to other men what we do, but God knows. We have to live with ourselves and our own conscience as well.
A Matter Of The Heart
When we have the right attitude toward money, the church, other brethren, God's work, our personal stewardship, and respect for His Word, giving will not be near the problem that it has become to many. First, give yourself to God, then the rest will come.