“What I give at church is between God and me.” I’ve heard that a dozen times a dozen times from church people over the years. Its actually not in the Bible, and not true. In a good way.
What a person gives at church is not contained in a plastic tube between them and God. Like a bank drive-thru deposit where you put your checks in the canister, press the button, and it shoots directly to the bank cashier behind the window. Nobody else sees it, handles it, or knows it’s happening.
Giving to the mission of Jesus is just between a giver and God. It sows seeds, it spreads joy, it supports the underprivileged, it serves the gospel ministry, it extends blessings to others, it pays for heat or air conditioning in the church or school building.
What you give at church is definitely about you and God, but it is also about your gift being a blessing to many others. Thank you for giving! You are making a difference!
There’s a trend called “loud budgeting.” It contradicts the typical approach to money as a taboo topic. Most people are reluctant to open the books of their financial spending and saving to the public, but that’s what loud budgeting does.
Participants on social media share openly about what they purchase, how they save, where they shop, and other money-related decisions that help them manage money well. They hope that the accountability of the public light will make them more responsible.
Not a bad idea. Along with this: one person’s experience can inspire someone else to manage their money in better ways.
What if money, budgeting, giving, purchases and generosity were “louder” at your church?
What if conversations about money weren’t taboo, or seen as manipulative, but truly opened up new doors to the kingdom of God?
What if church leaders were given the freedom, and the listening ear and heart of the people they serve, to become more transparent, honest and clear in God’s Word about money priorities as they relate to the ministry?
That sounds like “the deceitfulness of wealth” might just “choke the word [of God]” much less. Rather than “making it unfruitful” the Bible-based conversation about faith-based budgeting “produces a crop” (Matthew 13:22,23).
PRAYER: God, you say all the right things about money that my heart and mind — and my credit cards — need to hear. Bless me to grow in managing money, and being more generous, because conversations can take place around me, and my church. Amen.
FOR YOUR ACTION: Check out loud budgeting!!