While
budgeting is often thought of as a necessity in the corporate world; budgeting
is not only a necessity in the church, but it is a biblical responsibility.
Budgeting allows your church to set goals, and to steward your churches finances
responsibly in order to reach those goals. Successful planning, initiating, and
working of a church budget reflects the churches faith, priorities, maturity,
and so much more!
So, where do
we find biblical basis for budgeting in the Word? Let’s take a look:
1. A budget requires faith
2
Corinthians 9:6-8 explains that as believers we are prompted by our faith to
give, trusting that when we give, God will provide “all that you need.” Faith
does not mean to trust that God will always provide more; but what it does mean
is that you trust that God will provide exactly what the church NEEDS in order
to accomplish the vision that God has called your church to. And remember,
faith is overflowing. So, as you (as the church) increase your faith through
trusting God, this faith will overflow to your congregation; allowing and
prompting them to trust God with their own finances.
2. A budget reflects the priorities of
the heart
In Matthew
6:21 Jesus tells us that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also.” A church should reflect the heart of God. As God imprints His vision for
your church on the hearts of your leaders, staff, and congregation; your
treasure should follow.
The first step in your budget creation should be clear assessment of your churches purpose, mission, and vision. Without a clear assessment of these things, the church risks the budget driving the church rather than the vision of God driving the church. As your church grows and matures, so will God’s vision for your church. Staying on top of completing a budget yearly allows for the church to walk into the path that God is leading.
When you look at your past and present budgets, you (as a church) should be able to see where God has brought you from, where God has you, and even where God is leading you.
The first step in your budget creation should be clear assessment of your churches purpose, mission, and vision. Without a clear assessment of these things, the church risks the budget driving the church rather than the vision of God driving the church. As your church grows and matures, so will God’s vision for your church. Staying on top of completing a budget yearly allows for the church to walk into the path that God is leading.
When you look at your past and present budgets, you (as a church) should be able to see where God has brought you from, where God has you, and even where God is leading you.
3. A budget will challenge & grow
your congregation
The church
should be encouraging their congregation to give generously; not for the
benefit of the church, but for the increase of faith that giving sacrificially
delivers. A budget allows you to be able to examine the spiritual maturity of
your congregation by looking at how people give, what they give to, and their
attitude about giving.
If a person gives regularly (every other week/every month) rather than sporadically – you can see that this person has matured to the point that they are able to place giving as a priority in their lives. What a person gives to show others that God is working in their lives to place a calling on their hearts for certain ministries and peoples. You can tell that when someone gives abundantly that they are passionate about what they are giving to; and they are passionate because God is igniting that passion in their hearts!
Ultimately, monitoring your congregational giving allows you to examine the spiritual maturity and growth of your church. Is the amount of people giving increasing? Do you see passion in your congregation for certain ministries? Do they back that passion with their money? Do you have a large amount of people who give regularly? Does your congregation respond well when you preach on giving?
If you don’t have answers to these questions, begin looking at your churches contributions, establish the health of your church in regards to giving, and make a plan!
4. The church leads in the example of financial responsibility
If a person gives regularly (every other week/every month) rather than sporadically – you can see that this person has matured to the point that they are able to place giving as a priority in their lives. What a person gives to show others that God is working in their lives to place a calling on their hearts for certain ministries and peoples. You can tell that when someone gives abundantly that they are passionate about what they are giving to; and they are passionate because God is igniting that passion in their hearts!
Ultimately, monitoring your congregational giving allows you to examine the spiritual maturity and growth of your church. Is the amount of people giving increasing? Do you see passion in your congregation for certain ministries? Do they back that passion with their money? Do you have a large amount of people who give regularly? Does your congregation respond well when you preach on giving?
If you don’t have answers to these questions, begin looking at your churches contributions, establish the health of your church in regards to giving, and make a plan!
4. The church leads in the example of financial responsibility
The church
is to be the model that its people can look at to learn financial
responsibility. Prov 13:11 states, “dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever
gathers money little by little makes it grow.” In a church, money should be
stewarded well. Designated funds should go towards what they were designated
to; and the church should lead the example in giving by giving to the community
around them.
Prov 28:8 tells us that cheating may get you ahead for a while, but eventually God will give reimburse those who are stolen from. Too often in today’s age we hear of embezzlement within the church. Dishonesty, fraud, and deceit in the church not only harms the congregation, but also effects the way that those far from God view the church.
If we want to reach people for Jesus we must be a light to this world. A light that reflects that we are different. While cheating, stealing, and dishonesty runs rampant in the world; the church must be a safe place for people to come. Now, we are not perfect. The church is full of imperfect people who live through a perfect God. We are going to mess up; and messing up may sometimes include acts such as stealing or dishonesty.
When this happens we must ensure to be honest and open about the sin, seek repentance, and look to the Lord for guidance. Because we are all human, the best thing a church can do is set up systems of checks and balances within the church to prevent fraud.
A budget allows your church to keep a close eye on where money is going. Making it hard to cheat or steal will prevent temptation! There is nothing satan wants more than to divide a church, and embezzlement will do that quicker than many others conflicts in the church. So don’t let him win! Guard your church!
Prov 28:8 tells us that cheating may get you ahead for a while, but eventually God will give reimburse those who are stolen from. Too often in today’s age we hear of embezzlement within the church. Dishonesty, fraud, and deceit in the church not only harms the congregation, but also effects the way that those far from God view the church.
If we want to reach people for Jesus we must be a light to this world. A light that reflects that we are different. While cheating, stealing, and dishonesty runs rampant in the world; the church must be a safe place for people to come. Now, we are not perfect. The church is full of imperfect people who live through a perfect God. We are going to mess up; and messing up may sometimes include acts such as stealing or dishonesty.
When this happens we must ensure to be honest and open about the sin, seek repentance, and look to the Lord for guidance. Because we are all human, the best thing a church can do is set up systems of checks and balances within the church to prevent fraud.
A budget allows your church to keep a close eye on where money is going. Making it hard to cheat or steal will prevent temptation! There is nothing satan wants more than to divide a church, and embezzlement will do that quicker than many others conflicts in the church. So don’t let him win! Guard your church!
What can
your church do?
Reach out to
those that God has gifted in the areas of financial responsibility! Learn how
to budget, how to evaluate, how to set parameters, and how to honor God by
stewarding His money well!
By: Melissa
J Powell