A Stewardship Ministry in Every Church
Here at the Christian Stewardship Network, we believe that God is the provider of all things, and it is He who gives us the power to create wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18) and the direction and wisdom to manage that wealth. Because the world's ways of handling money are contrary to God's ways, causing people to fall into financial and spiritual bondage, our mission is to train church leaders in God's financial principles and equip them to teach them to their congregations.
The topic of money is often complex for pastors to talk about. There are many reasons for this, not the least being the fear of being perceived as a money-hungry leader. We've all heard or seen prosperity messages by prominent pastors with large media ministries. Though they represent a very small minority compared to the number of pastors serving, their messages and abuses have been widely publicized through TV and other media outlets. Most church attendees have been influenced by these messages, so they filter every message on money through that lens, making talking about money more difficult for pastors.
Pastors also have to talk about many issues people face, so talking about money, an already risky proposition, is more likely to be put on the back burner and only brought up when necessary. So when is it necessary for a pastor to talk about money? I've learned that pastors who do not have a conviction to teach on money only do it when the church budget is inadequate to meet ministry needs or are looking to expand the ministry through a capital campaign.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to expand ministry or meet the church's budget, especially when the church is engaged in life-changing ministry. The problem is when your approach says, "I want something from you" instead of "I want something for you. People genuinely want to be part of what God's doing through the church. Most people I've counseled who weren't tithing or giving felt bad about it, but they couldn't see a way to give because of their financial difficulties.
Teaching people the Biblical and practical ways of handling money is crucial. A “budget” or “get-out-of-debt” workshop will do more to help your people increase in generosity than will any sermon on giving. By helping them bring money under control, you'll give them the ability to give, not just once under compulsion but consistently out of conviction. Because these are Biblical principles you're teaching, you won't just help them get their money under control; you'll help them submit to God and trust him with their finances.
Having a conviction to talk about money
The late Larry Burkett shared an example of the importance of conviction to Biblical principles in managing money. While counseling a man who wanted to buy a new car, he said, "I knew that if I could talk him out of buying a new car because it was not financially good for him, there was an auto salesman out there who would be even more successful in talking him into buying that new car because he had a better incentive. However, if I could teach the man God's principle on debt and he was convicted that debt was not God's best for him, no one would ever talk him into buying anything by taking on debt again."
A pastor who understands God's financial principles and is personally convicted and lives by them cannot remain silent on the topic of money. He teaches God's financial principles because he knows that financial and spiritual freedom is the result when people understand them and have the conviction to live by them. Fear of speaking about money is replaced by confidence and boldness because his motivation is not getting people to give more; it's getting people to trust God more.
A Stewardship Ministry in Every Church
As part of their discipleship program, every church should have some teaching on the Biblical principles of finance. We believe this should be done through a stewardship ministry that offers well-balanced programs covering practical and spiritual ways of handling money. This does not replace the pastor's role, which is to preach on this topic consistently throughout the year. It supports it by offering the practical teaching and application people need.
Talk more, not less, about money
Think about it! How much time do you devote to making, planning, and spending money each month? The average person spends 40 hours a week working to earn money, at least a few hours a month planning and tracking their money, and a significant number of hours spending it. Money is a significant part of our daily lives, yet pastors think talking about it once or twice a year is enough to help people manage it better?
Building a Thriving Stewardship Ministry
It is a tremendous responsibility for a pastor to disciple people and encourage them to continue on to spiritual maturity. Some topics are easier to talk about, while others are less so. We understand that pastors have legitimate concerns about speaking on money. It is possible to do it wrong, but not doing it is just as damaging to your people, so let us help.
The Christian Stewardship Network is a network of stewardship pastors and leaders with many years of experience in financial discipleship. We would love to connect with you and help answer any of your questions or concerns and assist you in establishing a thriving stewardship ministry in your church. You can learn more from our website or by contacting us at info@christianstewardshipnetwork.com.
For Further Reading:
Managing Wealth - An Issue of the Heart
Gratitude - The Key to Financial Balance
4 Reasons Couples Should be Joint in Their Finances
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If you're a pastor or spiritual leader, consider joining our CSN community. We are a group of passionate Christ-followers with a burden to teach and equip God's people with God's financial principles so they can live purpose-filled and generous lives. Sign up for our mailing list to get new content from CSN directly to your inbox!
