Freedom!-Defining the Debt-Free Church Part 2

Your church may be in debt because you as the leader
want what others in debt have! Go after the right dreams. Those pastors with the “cool stuff” often can't pay for it and are under a lot of pressure.Touch the world at the level you can afford, and it will be a blessing, not a burden.

Whether it's church or personal finances, ask yourself these two questions before you make a purchase: What is feeding my dream? and What is God's view of success? Don't get ahead of your bankbook just to look good!

A third cause of church debt is lack of stewardship. The mentality of many church leaders towards God's money is different than that towards their personal money. They spend God's money as if it were free - rather than hard-earned income.

Be a good steward and take time before you spend to find the best quality and the best deals. Operate with as much care for God's finances as you would for your own.

Hypocrisy is a major contributor towards church debt. Hypocrisy in this context is when you pretend money is not important to you... when it really is!

Face the facts: ministries need money to do things for God. You may think it's less offensive to be quiet on the subject in front of your congregation, but if you do that, your life is going to be marked with financial worries.

Talk and pray about your church finances with your people on Sundays, and it won't run your life the rest of the week!

If you're afraid of being criticized, here's the solution: maintain the right motives, and your people will begin to grasp your vision and even contribute financially to it. Your church will be better for it, and your people will begin to experience the power of return as they tithe and give in obedience to God's Word.

The final and perhaps most important point to make is this: understand that mankind was created with the need to give. People are going to give their money to someone.  Teach your congregations how to give to God!

“Present a better 'ask,'” says Pastor Steve. This involves pulling people in to be a part of something, not just taking their money. Explain your cause, and don't be afraid to acknowledge that yes, you want their money.....you want their money, because you want everything they are for the cause of Jesus Christ!

If people understand this, then they will begin to support the work of God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.

In Exodus 36:3-5, we witness the effects of a divine economy. The Israelites had received numerous priceless treasures upon leaving Egypt, and now they were being asked to contribute them for the tabernacle. Their response was enormous! They self-lessly gave valuable things to God's house - even when they had no conceivable way to recover what was given.

Why? What enabled them to give so freely?

Obviously they had faith in a divine economy, where there is more than enough and the need gets met without anyone quite knowing how. Nothing is as irreplaceable as it seems when God's involved!

Church leaders, if you want your church to be truly out of debt, the greatest thing you can do is impart to your congregations the revelation of this divine economy, which has unexplainable, endless resources! Then you will find that people with average incomes are giving, like the Macedonian church in 2 Corinthians 8:3, “even beyond their ability."

Challenge your people to stretch their faith. Give them an opportunity to see God's Kingdom at work in their finances. It's a healthy exercise for everyone!