So many problems arise in setting budgets when leaders pursue their “pet projects” or personal agendas at the expense of other important ministry efforts. Sometimes people disagree on raises in pastoral or church staff salaries (either too high or not enough). Some will compare what’s been allocated to their ministry with a higher total given to another area and get upset. At a time when giving may be down and funds aren’t available for all areas, heated debates can ensue about what gets cut and what doesn’t. We don’t have to let these issues damage relationships or bring division if we remember we have a help for working on church budgets, or shall we say, a Helper — the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit, our Helper, Provides the Needed Help for Working on Church Budgets
We need to view budgeting in light of what’s good for the whole Body to pursue God’s purposes, not just individual ministries. That means overcoming natural tendencies by rising above the demanding, jealous, competitive conflict that too often accompanies working on budgets.
Galatians 5:13-23 shows us how:
- Make the objective for doing the church budget the pursuit of God’s purpose to love — not to fulfill our personal agendas.
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal. 5:13-14)
- Be aware of the consequence of not pursuing that objective — destruction.
If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Gal. 5:15)
- Accept God’s means for rising above the pursuit of personal agendas — the Holy Spirit, our Helper.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. .. (Gal. 5:16-17)
- Experience the result of yielding to the Spirit in order to fulfill God’s purposes and not our own — Christ-like reactions and responses.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23)
Those are the kinds of traits that will help us not only be civil with one another but will enable us to truly work together on the budget for the good of the whole, putting God’s purposes first. But, notice that in order to experience this kind of help, we need to “walk” in the Spirit. That implies an ongoing yielding, every step of the way. We need to go into budgeting already walking in the Spirit. We can’t just expect that a quick token prayer for help is sufficient.
For More on These Topics:
All Posts about Budgeting and Finances:
- Budget Fit Your Church Purpose?
- Budget Process of Body Life?
- Budget Fostering Body Life?
- 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
- Protection & Safeguards for Church Finances
- Financial Protection Begins with the Belt of Truth
- Shepherd Leaders Protect and Nurture in Regard to Finances