Like it or not, churches and ministries need money to operate. Even if you have a house church with no building and facility maintenance costs, salaries, or other expenses found in a traditional church, you still need funds to cover resource materials for study, outreach, and other miscellaneous needs. I’d like to suggest that no matter how big or small your church budget might be that church leaders seek to implement the following goals.
Financial Goals for the Church:
Goal #1: To Encourage People to Give Voluntarily Out of a Cheerful Heart
To manipulate or coerce people into giving goes against God’s heart.
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor. 9:7)
This goal requires that we be careful of tactics used to get people to give.
Goal #2: To Build a Culture of Generosity within the Church
Generosity is not determined by the amount people give. Look at the example of the widow. Though she gave very little she was considered more generous than those who gave much.
They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on. (Mk. 12:44)
Also consider the example of the Macedonian churches.
In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. (2 Cor. 8:2-3)
Our goal should be to build a culture of generosity within people, based on truths of God’s Word and a desire to give back to our great God, in which they give through regular tithes and offerings so there isn’t a great need for constant fundraiser tactics. With that said, there certainly might be times for people to go over and beyond their normal giving. The next post will look at fundraising. (Sign up to be notified of new posts.)
Goal #3: To Provide a Good Reason / Purpose for People to Give Generously
Yes, the Old Testament does command that a tithe be given (Mal. 3:10). And, the New Testament encourages giving based on how God has prospered us (1 Cor. 16:2) which often could take us well beyond the tithe. But, for people to get past the commands of Scripture, or a sense of duty, to giving because they truly want to is a wonderful goal. Imagine a church full of people who give generously because they believe God is worthy! Imagine a church full of people so committed to working in cooperation with God that they would willingly sacrifice to see His work move forward! That’s a church God will use to impact the world.
To Read: Do You Have a Worth-Giving Church?
Goal #4: To Give an Accounting for How Money is Used
If we see our role as being stewards of the money brought into the church, we will acknowledge that the money is not ours to do as we please. We will understand that we are accountable first and foremost before God but also to others. As a result we will be wise in the handling of church finances. We will be transparent with people about how it is used. We will maintain integrity. This goal will be reflected similarly to what the Apostle Paul wrote regarding the handling of money the Corinthian Church would give.
We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man. (2 Cor. 8:20-21)
To Read:
You’ll notice that the above goals relate more to the heart of the matter than figures or percentages for that’s what most concerns God. When our heart is where it should be, finances tend to fall into place for us to do what God has given us to do.
For More: Stewardship Resources
