FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR MINISTRERS & MINISTRIES: MONEY AND MINISTRY TODAY

Money cannot be divorced from ministry. Every minister needs money to fulfil his ministry Even our Master Jesus needed money for His ministry is important for every 6 meister to understand the place of money in ministry. Money cannot go to heaven, but it can do something heavenly here on earth.

A. DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS Matthew 25:14-28

1. Money is defined as a paper and coin with value printed on it.

Money is the universal means of exchange.
Money is the wages a labourer receives for his labour
Money is from the Greek word “Talenton” where we have the English word talent (Matthew 25:14-15)

2. Ministry is a divine assignment given to every individual Christian after salvation, 2 to be fulfilled within a specific period of time for a specific generation which ultimately the giver will give a reckoning (Colossians 4:12)

B. FACTS OF MONEY AND MINISTRY ACCORDING TO JESUS-Matthew 25:14-28).

Every minister has received a ministry from the Lord
The size of the ministry determines the size of the money
Money is given primarily to fulfill the ministry
Every minister must trade with the money te has received for the fulfilment of ministry
A day of reckoning (accountability) in respect to the ministry and money received will surely come.
God is actually the owner of the ministry and the money. No minister can claim ownership
Our person (attitudes) will influence the way we run our ministries and its money
God’s expectation of every minister is to make profit with the ministry and the money.
Some ministers are burying the ministry and money that are divinely given to them
More money is being given by God to only those ministers that are profitable and fruitful.

C. WHY EVERY MINISTRY NEEDS MONEY

Ministry without money can be very frustrating
Ministry without money is like ministry of hard labour without productivity
Ministry dream dies without dollar, they are naive without Naira, and they are poor without Pound sterling
Sending missionaries on mission requires money
Ministries equipment are purchased with money
Ministers and staff are to be paid with money
Ministry voice is kept in the dark without money
Books, tapes, CD, DVD cost money to produce them
Ministerial traveling costs money
Ministry without money is like a professional dancer without legs.

Money makes the ministry work to be easier and faster

D. WRONG WAYS SOME MINISTERS USE TO GET MONEY

The use of stolen money to start and fund F. ministry
Financial gimmicks and manipulations
The use of fraudulent means to get money from people
The use of borrowed money with intention of never paying back under the disguise of “tused it for God’s work”
The use of occultic power to collect money from people
Being in the occult for fame, money and power
The use of blood money, by donating members for money ritual
Taking advantage of people and exploitation of people which is manifested in several ways like,
The oil that we can buy outside for N200 is sold for N2.000 in the ministry under the disguise of anointed oil
Because crowd came to this 8 programme let us take advantage by collecting five different offerings.
Let us invite money raiser to raise money and erase the people etc. C
Prophetic Yahoo yahoo.

E. RIGHT WAYS A MINISTER CAN 11 GET MONEY FOR HIS MINISTRY

Divine supplies-Deuteronomy 8.18
Tithe and offerings and seed sowing especially for the church (Malachi 3.10-121
Charitable giving There are Christians organization that are into charitable giving to support ministries, especially in Europe, America
Supports/supporters There can be supporters both within and outside the ministry
Ministry resources Every ministry must have resources like CD. Mp3, DVD, literature books etc. that bring in money for the work
Ministers’ gifts. Proverb 18 16
Proper management that resulted in money multiplication

Right and prayerfully guided investments

F. REASONS FOR ECONOMIC OR FINANCIAL PROBLEM IN MINISTRIES

Ignorance of the word of God concerning money and wealth as well as our role in the economic empowerment of our ministries
Carelessness and taking for granted the financial situations of the ministry.
Lack of information, teaching and enlightenment on money, finance and stewardship.
Unclear, poor or lack of vision on the part of the church leaders or the minister
Culture, tradition and other social practices and pressures around us that are wasteful and do not glorify God
Indiscipline both on the part of the minister and also on the part of the church members.
Uninspiring and dull leadership
Wrong assumptions and practices conceming money and the reading of the word of God out of context
Lack of innovating and creative ideas that can bring increase and multiplication in the ministry
Poor and wrong administrative methods as well as weak internal control system Absence or poor financial recording or record keeping that can safeguard the use of the resources
Wrong attitudes and perception about money and the means of getting in Lack of integrity on the part of church members and the ministers.
Absence of budget, financial planning and budgetary control system Spirit of poverty
Negative confession by ministers and church leaders against themselves and against the ministry
Lack of focused prayers, preparation and perseverance.