Stewardship

Managing Finances

Wise use of money is a crucial component to good leadership in the church. Whether concerning church or personal finances, ministers have a responsibility to be faithful stewards of the resources God provides. For church leaders, the concepts of tithing and giving should be understood easily. Knowing the percentages of where resources are distributed once they have been given is also important for ministers. Churches expect the people leading to be faithful to give and wisely manage the funds given.

Many resources exist to assist leaders with developing policies and procedures for finances. However, before managing a church budget, ministers should be sure they have their personal finances in order. Each household should learn to live within their means through a budget. To begin you should simply list your monthly requirements compared to your income to calculate a debt to income ratio. If you have a high debt load, you will want to avoid using credit cards and work toward paying down debt as quickly as possibly. Beginning with the loan or credit card with the smallest balance, you can work toward paying each bill until debts are paid off. Tithing is a budget item that you may be tempted to skimp when money is tight, but I encourage you to be faithful with God’s Word in regard to your finances

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”³ This passage is a clear mandate in scripture, but yet Christians each week struggle to faithfully contribute to the church.

Leaders in the local church who do not take responsibility for their own financial contributions, as well as resources given by God to manage, could disqualify themselves for ministry. Many practical ways exist so you can be a better steward and manager. A few ideas to consider in your weekly decisions: compare prices, use coupons, avoid shopping while hungry, and buy items on sale. These are just a few ideas for becoming a better steward of resources available for you to spend. My family has been in a pursuit of becoming a better steward for years. These financial decisions do not happen quickly, but part of the process of maturing as a disciple includes being a better steward of resources. In my life the evidence of being faithful to give, even at times when it was not easy, has been rewarding in my personal walk with Christ. I believe it will be for you as well.

³Ml. 3:10 NASB.