You want people to give for all the right reasons, with the right heart, with the right objectives, with the right perspective — to give with integrity. Certainly they should be able to expect the same from leadership in the way finances are handled. God does!
How to Manage Finances with Integrity
The first fifteen verses of 2 Corinthians 8 provide factors that help people give with integrity. The remainder of the chapter gives leaders an example of managing that money with integrity. I encourage you to take time to read this Scripture passage first as references will be provided but not the text. As leaders, we need the Spirit to convince us of how we should lead, based on God’s Word, not merely follow what someone else writes.
1) Approach giving issues out of concern for the people not out of a need for money. (2 Cor. 8:16)
2) Recruit people to help with financial issues in the church whose hearts are where they should be. (2 Cor. 8:17-19, 22-24)
3) Administer finances in ways that honor God and help people. (2 Cor. 8:19)
4) Examine your heart to make sure the desire to maintain integrity is there as that is where managing finances with integrity begins. (2 Cor. 8:20)
5) Go out of your way to do all you can to avoid any kind of appearance of impropriety in how you manage finances as one accountable first and foremost to God but also to people. (2 Cor. 8:21)
In a day when people are disillusioned by institutional integrity breaks, whether that be in government or businesses, let’s hold ourselves to a higher standard in the Church, God’s standard. Your application of the example in 2 Corinthians 8 may differ from their situation but the biblical principles relate. Also remember, that people’s expectations are not the only issue at stake, but rather a testimony of God’s grace at work through the giving of His people which is properly administrated. — “For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.” (2 Cor. 8:21)
The Steering the Church Toward Christ-like Character Leadership Guide includes these biblical means of managing finances along with a brief challenge under each of the five points for leaders.
All Posts about Budgeting and Finances:
- Budget Fit Your Church Purpose?
- Budget Process of Body Life?
- Budget Fostering Body Life?
- Church Financial Management & Budgeting Resources
- Budget Reflect the Great Commission?
- Church Finances & Christlikeness
- Praying About Church Finances is the Christ-like Thing to Do
- Encourage Integrity in Giving
- Managing Finances with Integrity
- Finances & The Way the Church Functions
- Gospel Affects Even Our Finances
- Grace Affects Giving
- Financial Consultants & the Church
- Financial Management in the Church
- Church Finances & the Spiritual Gift of Giving
- Prayer an Integral Part of Church Finances?
- Perspective When Praying about Finances
- Priorities When Praying about Finances
- God’s Word Helps with Church Finances
- Generosity Affected by the Name of the Lord
- Help for Working on Church Budgets
- Before Closing Your Doors, Remember God’s Resurrection Power
- Impact of Leaders’ Example on Church Finances
- The Impact of a Leaders’ Attitude Toward Money
I want to thank God for the level of understanding I got in managing church finances. This note will be taken to my church for future reference. I thank you for your spiritual eyes.
You are welcome, Helena. May it truly be of help in your church to maintain that Christ-like integrity we all need!
Great work. More insights