Dear Small Church Pastor,
Matthew 6:21 and Luke 12:34 state, “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” Notice that the statement indicates your heart goes where you put your treasure. In other words, where you invest your finances or other resources will reveal your priorities.
If you will look at your banking app or your check register or whatever else you use to keep track of how you spend your money, you will see fairly quickly what you consider to be the important things of life.
We all know we have basic needs that have to be met—food, shelter, clothing and other needs essential to our existence. Those are given expenses. However, if you will look past those items to your expenditures other than those survival needs, you can see where you are prioritizing your spending. Identify those things. Then write them down somewhere and take a close look at the list. These are your priorities.
Now ask yourself a few questions: How many of these things are luxuries instead of necessities? Which items are purchased so I can keep up the appearance of success? How many duplicates are there that are not essential to my existence? Am I investing money in things that are satisfying desires and not needs? How many of these items can I live without?
Two final questions: Can I shift expenditures so I am benefitting others instead of myself? How can I better use my money to benefit the Kingdom of God?
If you can honestly answer these questions and make some decisions about how you are investing your money, you will be on track to using your money more efficiently and for better results, not just for yourself, but for the cause of Christ, too.
Now, allow me to approach one of the controversial topics about money—tithing and free-will offerings. Are you tithing and generous in your offerings? If yes, great. Keep doing that. If not, start. There is a definite spiritual principle involved in tithing and giving offerings. You are demonstrating faith in God’s ability to help you survive on 90% or even less, depending on your offerings. Remember all your blessings originate in God and His bountiful supply to His children. The 100% came from Him. It’s His anyway. And God looks for our obedience in this area of using our money. (Remember Malachi’s statements to Israel?)
If your mind and bank account scream that you can’t make it on less than 100%, don’t listen to them. If you honestly answer the questions about your spending from above, you should see areas in which you are spending money that does not just need to be spent. There is a possibility that money should be your tithes and offerings.
Allow a few examples, if you will. How many times a week are you eating out instead of cooking at home? Is lunch in a restaurant or out of a packed lunch from home? Is the coffee shop one of your stops on the way to work, or are you bringing a thermos with a beverage you brewed for much less money? How many full outfits of clothes are in your closet? How often do you change vehicles and start financing all over again? When was the last time you fixed something, instead of replacing it? Do I need to continue?
Please notice something about giving into God’s work—this will require obedience and self-discipline on your part. It will require you to submit your desires and wants to God, as much as your needs, and to ask Him to show you how you can fulfill His will when it comes to your finances. Please, please, work out your own giving through His guidance, and avoid the temptation to compare your giving to what others give. The amount is not the critical aspect here. The obedience is the important thing. Obedience to God in giving will be rewarded. It might not come this week or next month, but the reward will come. God always honors diligent, persistent obedience to His spiritual principles.
Another thought on this topic—be sure your people see you put your tithes into the offering plate or box or whatever system you use. If you’re using all digital offerings and tithes, tell them that you have sent yours in and they can follow suit by making a few clicks, too. Explain to them how to use the digital giving portal. If you expect your people to give into the work of God, you need to show you are doing that, too.
(This is probably enough to consider for this letter. More about treasure in the next letter.)
Sincerely,
A Small Church Pastor