On Being a Good Church Member Part 4: Financial Support

During the years I was a pastor I estimate I was responsible for approximately 20 million dollars. That's a lot of money. Every year I preached a series on biblical stewardship and most Sundays I gave a mini-sermon at offering time encouraging people to support the work of the ministry. For some people there is a sense of tension surrounding the collecting of money by the church. I was pragmatic enough and biblically literate enough to know that not only was raising money a necessity, but it was mandated by the mission of the gospel. I had no problem asking our membership for it and was very careful in the administrating of the church's finances.

It takes various levels of commitment to do everything the church has been called to do. People are asked to commit time out of their busy schedules to staff various programs and ministries of the church. From serving on a board, teaching Sunday School or accompanying youth on a short-term missions trip, giving time is essential for a church's success. Without the commitment of time, much of the work of the church would not be done.

Church members are also asked to contribute their talents for the glory of God. Over the decades of ministry the churches I have been privileged to pastor have been blessed by people who sing well, or play a musical instrument ministering to my soul. I have witnessed carpenters build furniture for the children's ministry or sets to facilitate those who are gifted in drama. Electricians, roofers and painters have used their talents in our building projects. Bookkeepers have given of their time to help the church keep their financial dealings and records in order. I can create a very long list of members who have been used by God to do the work of the ministry. Without their commitment of talent, much of the work of the church would not be done.

Church members work hard all week at their jobs and professions. They earn their paychecks and are required by God to be good stewards of their wages to provide for their families and to fund the work of the kingdom. Missionaries count on churches supporting them financially on the field, pastors and other staff members are able to concentrate on their ministries full time because of the generosity of the membership, buildings are built that make ministry to the masses easier because of church members obedience to set aside their offerings to ensure quality facilities. Without their commitment of their tithes and offerings, much of the work of the church would not and could not be done.

If it is true that average American evangelicals gives less that 3% of their income to their churches, then there is plenty of room for improvement that would result in the launching of a massive thrust of gospel ministry if giving was increased. While it is true that Americans have been generous in their giving in terms of the size of the total numbers, there are two levels of giving that can be improved upon. One is a level of giving that reflects gospel priorities and the other is giving that is sacrificial. Each of these two challenges would result in tremendous benefits to the lost of the world if the church rises to accept this two-fold challenge.

Giving that reflects gospel priorities can be deduced by looking at our bank statement. Jesus said that, "wherever your treasure is, there will your heart be also." A quick review of our checkbooks often tell us that pursuing a material lifestyle is at the root of our hearts. Adjustments can be made that improve the ministry bottom line without jeopardizing much by addressing genuine needs rather than desires.

Sacrificial giving can be addressed by taking some of our cultural "necessities" and converting the dollars that go into that category into a new category for ministry. As an example, most of us can spend less on clothing, dining out, and fringe benefits such as premium cable, cell phones with unnecessary bells and whistles, expensive toys like 3 or more televisions sets in our homes, and other high tech devices that are rarely used. I know, that may sound like I'm meddling into "private" matters, but the point remains that many of us can "sacrifice" some of these luxuries in order to prioritize the disseminating of the gospel.

Most churches today know that they are being scrutinized in the matter of how they allocate their finances. Most churches are excellent stewards of their offerings. If you attend a church that has great vision for spreading the gospel, maintains a quality place for the people of God to worship and grow, call and appoint pastors and staff that are fully committed to serving Jesus, then your investment in that church will get you greater returns than anything you can invest in outside of the ministry. The return may be intangible in some ways, but knowing that souls are being added to the kingdom, the poor are being fed and clothed, the gospel of healing is being preached, and deliverance is coming to those who are bound by sin and devils, well what kind of price can be put on that?

Good church members give to support the work of the ministry. The churches I pastored benefited from many good church members. Now that I am on the other side of the pulpit I get a chance to support God's work from a totally different perspective. After being at our present church for only 7 months, I know what my church is doing locally and in the world. I like where my offering is going.