Focus on Finances: Whose Money Is It?

By Donald Davis

Kathy Elbert received five fund-raising letters last week. Pastor Smith emphasized stewardship in his message on Sunday. The visiting missionary shared his burden for needs in a part of the world dear to Kathy's heart. As she reached for her checkbook, she cried, "Lord, I don't have much money. Where should I give?"

Whose money is it?

Everything you have belongs to God. You merely manage your resources as a steward. This should limit your giving to organizations which are consistent with the Word of God. An organization that denies the faith or the authority of the Scriptures does not deserve your support. If you are unsure of the position a particular ministry takes, ask before you give.

This does not mean you should support only "religious" organizations. Local or community agencies in which you participate or whose benefits you enjoy may be supported. This is not as much giving as it is paying for services rendered. Even some churches contribute to the local fire company, the ambulance fund or other worthy causes.

Mr. Langly was quite interested in conservative issues. He thought conservative organizations promoted morality in society and often made contributions for political and other purposes. That meant he had less money to give to his local church and to missions. He determined that among the millions of people who supported the same causes he did, many did not give to their church or the Lord's work. He decided to concentrate the bulk of his resources where they would do the most good for eternity

What are God's priorities?

These are spelled out clearly in His Word:

1. God is interested in reaching the lost:
   "The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost"
   "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel."
   "How shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?
   Your giving, like your time, should be directed to reaching the lost with the gospel.
2. God is interested in your local church. It is the fellowship of the body of Christ in your area. In this era, the local church is God's instrument to accomplish His work corporately. The Scriptures plainly teach the priority of giving to your local church. Not only does the local church carry on the outreach and the building up of the body of Christ, it ministers to you as a member. When you give enough to your church to support the pastor, the buildings and the services, you are really only sharing in the expenses of providing a ministry to you! By giving more you share in ministering to other believers, other churches and the unsaved at home and around the world.
3. God is interested in the needs of people. Christ had compassion and fed the 5,000. They were not only lost; they were hungry. Your giving should include meeting the physical needs of others. It is easy to forget this because there may be no tax deduction or, because you expect the government will take care of it. You should be interested in meeting the needs of individuals personally. If you wish to join with others who are giving, then give through your local church or organizations that are true to the Word of God.

In your giving, attempt to set your priorities in line with God's.

How can I decide?

When you list the organizations and ministries worthy of your support, you will soon realize their needs are far greater than your ability to give. You have to make choices.

Begin by selecting areas in which you have a particular interest. You may be burdened for Christian education. Or you may desire to support church planting. Perhaps you have a friend or relative who is a missionary or a pastor with special needs. Be sensitive to those areas which are close to your heart. Your giving is more effective when you give more to fewer ministries. God uses different people to meet the various needs of His work. Ask God to guide you as to where He wants you to give. Plan your giving carefully, but be open to special opportunities that touch your heart and are consistent with what you believe. God will lead you as you desire to be a wise steward.

Checklist for giving

• Is this ministry biblical?
• Is this ministry local church-related?
• Is this ministry meeting the spiritual needs of the lost?
• Is this ministry of special importance to you?
• Have you prayed about this?

Keep these factors in mind:

1. Your first obligation is to your local church.
2. Ministries supported by your local church or approved
   by your pastor are usually worthy of your support.
3. Rather than give to many organizations, concentrate on those closest to your heart.

Don Davis, J.D. is the Corporate Counsel for ABWE and the Director of Donor Relations.

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