Most people go to church to worship God and make friends.
Whether the church building is beautiful or full of facilities like cafeteria, internet or game rooms actually does not matter much to most of us. We go there only once or at most twice a week and only for a few hours.
Perhaps if you work in the church, 8 hours a day for 5 days a week, then that is a different thing altogether. Bigger offices, better copier, broadband internet are all useful for those working there. But then, where do you get the money to beautify or build facilities in a non-profit organization like the church?
That is one of the topic is our every BPCES committee meeting. We had a meeting last Sunday and well, it is still about money. Money is needed for upgrading and renovation for year 2009. I believe it is even more discussed in the Elders and Deacons court. Money, Money, money and where to get money? In such a meeting, we need lawyer, accountant, financial controller and businessman. What has a blur engineer like me who play with machine and silicon (soil and mud) got to do with such a discussion? Just like someone in the congregation once told me direct in my face, “there are better people in the BPCES who can do a better job than those in the committee now” (A hint for me to step down actually, as committee discussions are always on money)
Hence, we need deacon who likes to talk about money. If not, the deacon attending such meetings will be stressed up. Deacon Casey, after attending many of such meetings has already told me that he is being stressed by all these sub-committee and has relinquished his BSG leadership. As for me, with hindsight and wisdom, I rejected the job of deacon in Bethany.
How then should a church deal with money?
Biblically speaking, tithing is not a command in the New Testament. Let’s turn to 2Cor 9:7
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Giving should always be done without compulsion. There is no such thing as each members should contribute $XXX a month. Each of us has to decided in his heart how much to give.
So if, we can’t get enough money, the simplest way is - don’t renovate or upgrade. It is just a building that we come once or twice a week. Of course, not many would think like me. I don’t think you do. This is where godly wisdom and faith is needed. The church leadership has to make a decision (going to the bank, going to the congregation, or going to God) to get money.
Going to the bank to get money need no faith and everybody can do that without much wisdom needed. The end result would always be more painful as we need to pay interest and still repay the money borrowed. How our church leaders make that decision is clearly seen in the past and the repercussion continue till this day.
Going to the congregation to get money, the leaders need faith in the people. People who support your vision for the church will be moved by that vision and are more willing to give.
Going to God for money, the leaders need faith in God. Do you believe God can provide money for the church needs? Yes, I have seen how God works. I will share with you in my next blog.
If we truly believe that God want us to upgrade HIS church facilities, church renovation, have more rooms for church workers, then ask God for the money! Let’s not harp at why some people are not giving enough. That is lacking in faith. And people don’t respect pastors and church leaders who lack in faith. Not sure about you. I don’t respect pastor who has no faith that God will provide for his work.
Learn from Hudson Taylor and George Mueller
Mark Lim
Whether the church building is beautiful or full of facilities like cafeteria, internet or game rooms actually does not matter much to most of us. We go there only once or at most twice a week and only for a few hours.
Perhaps if you work in the church, 8 hours a day for 5 days a week, then that is a different thing altogether. Bigger offices, better copier, broadband internet are all useful for those working there. But then, where do you get the money to beautify or build facilities in a non-profit organization like the church?
That is one of the topic is our every BPCES committee meeting. We had a meeting last Sunday and well, it is still about money. Money is needed for upgrading and renovation for year 2009. I believe it is even more discussed in the Elders and Deacons court. Money, Money, money and where to get money? In such a meeting, we need lawyer, accountant, financial controller and businessman. What has a blur engineer like me who play with machine and silicon (soil and mud) got to do with such a discussion? Just like someone in the congregation once told me direct in my face, “there are better people in the BPCES who can do a better job than those in the committee now” (A hint for me to step down actually, as committee discussions are always on money)
Hence, we need deacon who likes to talk about money. If not, the deacon attending such meetings will be stressed up. Deacon Casey, after attending many of such meetings has already told me that he is being stressed by all these sub-committee and has relinquished his BSG leadership. As for me, with hindsight and wisdom, I rejected the job of deacon in Bethany.
How then should a church deal with money?
Biblically speaking, tithing is not a command in the New Testament. Let’s turn to 2Cor 9:7
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Giving should always be done without compulsion. There is no such thing as each members should contribute $XXX a month. Each of us has to decided in his heart how much to give.
So if, we can’t get enough money, the simplest way is - don’t renovate or upgrade. It is just a building that we come once or twice a week. Of course, not many would think like me. I don’t think you do. This is where godly wisdom and faith is needed. The church leadership has to make a decision (going to the bank, going to the congregation, or going to God) to get money.
Going to the bank to get money need no faith and everybody can do that without much wisdom needed. The end result would always be more painful as we need to pay interest and still repay the money borrowed. How our church leaders make that decision is clearly seen in the past and the repercussion continue till this day.
Going to the congregation to get money, the leaders need faith in the people. People who support your vision for the church will be moved by that vision and are more willing to give.
Going to God for money, the leaders need faith in God. Do you believe God can provide money for the church needs? Yes, I have seen how God works. I will share with you in my next blog.
If we truly believe that God want us to upgrade HIS church facilities, church renovation, have more rooms for church workers, then ask God for the money! Let’s not harp at why some people are not giving enough. That is lacking in faith. And people don’t respect pastors and church leaders who lack in faith. Not sure about you. I don’t respect pastor who has no faith that God will provide for his work.
Learn from Hudson Taylor and George Mueller
Mark Lim
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