Money and financial matters have become iv a major issue in the church today. Majority of pastors and ministers have deviated and are deviating from New Testament ministry as result of imbalanced emphasis on money. Many have watered down the true message of the gospel because they want more money to come to the church. Others have devised ingenious and ungodly ways to raise offerings and giving in the church, in many modern-day Pentecostal and Charismatic churches, money, finance, and prosperity are the most common and repeated messages week in, week out.
Churches have become financial business schools and pastors are now teaching people how to make your millions in a week. Furthermore, many pastors are leaving the flock unfed and spend most of their time running after money, gain and profit. In the Right of this, how can we strike the needed balance? I hope God will use this teaching to help LUS
A. BIBLICAL BASIS: Job 36:11; III John 2; Psalm 35:27: Deut. 8:18: Acts 20:33:35.
Financial freedom is when you have your three basic needs met: (food, clothing and shelter) you are free from debt and your income is better than your expenditure. God desires our financial blessing and prospenty Ministenal and pastoral calling is not a calling to poverty and penury, niether is it to opulence and extravagant lifestyle. Prov 30:7-9
- God is not happy when pastors live below poverty level.
- God is not happy when pastors are poorly paid and uncatered for
- God is not happy when pastors cannot meet their financial obligations.
- God is not happy when pastor’s family suffers due to poverty.
- God is not glorified when minister’s live in debt and borrowing
God want every pastor to have financial freedom so that you can glorify Him, take care of your responsibilities, fulfil your ministry, spread the vision, impact your world and be of assistance to others.
B. WHY DO PASTORS HAVE FINANCIAL CRISIS?
It is glaring that many pastors are having financial crisis today. Many are being poorly paid and many are wallowing in debt. Why?
- Becoming full-time minister too soon Ignorance about financial freedom.
- Lack of financial plan
- Raising too large a family.
- Having only one source of income.
- Hypocrisy and prejudice about money matters
- Uninspiring leadership in the church.
- Misappropriation of church money
- Stinginess and tightfistedness.
- Failure to pay tithes and give offerings.
- Wrong use of God’s money
Financial crisis have led to ministerial poverty which have resulted in broken homes, wayward children, backsliding, breakaway in the church, compromised message, divorce marrying a rich member and taking over of many churches by wealthy members.
C. HOW GOD DEAL WITH HIS MINISTERS FINANCIALLY
From both Scripture and experience, we can deduce three ways that God seems to deal with his ministers when it comes to finance.
- Supplying your needs by talking to people on your behalf. Example is Adam, God supplied all he needed without him asking and working
- God can ask you to pray and go talk to people. Example is Moses and David. He will allow people to give to you as you ask them
- He can bless your skill job and expertise to build your financial freedom. Example is Apostle Paul. He worked and tentmaking for his needs and finance
God can use any of these three ways to help you attain financial freedom in the ministry However. you must know which one is the way God has been dealing with you and focus your effort and prayers on it.
Recommended Reading
PRAYER & SPIRITUAL WARFARE: INTERCESSION FOR GROWTH
The Power of the Blood of Jesus: Our Legal Ground for Victory
Twenty Reasons Why You Should Be Faithful To Your Spouse – New!
D. HOW PASTORS CAN ATTAIN FINANCIAL FREEDOM
Five levels of financial freedom.
- Poor-barely eating
- Rich-can eat moderately
- Comfortable-little left over
- Wealthy buy what you want
- Flourish-able to borrow nations.
If you follow these practical steps, you can really overcome financial burden and move from poor to flourishing in your life and ministry
- Learn all you could about finance and money matters. Ignorance have brought poverty to many pastors
- Pray specifically about your money crisis Commit quality prayer time to settling your financial crisis
- Tentmaking until your church is viable enough. The calling of God is not the sending of Oud
- Become a marketable minister. Thers are monies that belong to you but they are not in your church
- Live within your means. Stop buying what you want, rather buy what you need Cut your coat according to your cloth
- Plan your family upbringing. Large families is not advisable these days for ministers
- Have multiple streams of income. Your money must never come from one source It is better for N5,000 to be coming from ten sources than N20,000 to come from one source.
- Follow a good financial plan 60/20/20 principle. Weeping will endure longer than a night when you have no savings
- Practice the principle of giving: Pay your personal and ministry tithes. Give offerings and sow seeds. Don’t be at the receiving end only be also at the giving end.
- Wise investments. Don’t work for money, let your money work for you. Invest in what will bring you much more money as the days goes by
- Prayerfully build up partners. God must speak to people to support and strengthen your hand financially, materially and morally in this work. Luke 8.2.3. Pray them into existence.
If you can follow these time-tested and prover principles your financial freedom is a sure guarantee. You only steal from yourself when yo fail to manage your money properly
Money says “I am a tool, provided your how to use me correctly”