Financial maturity in church leaders is one of the most important areas of leadership, and also one of the most rarely discussed. You would be hard pressed to find a seminary class on financial management, yet along with time management, a pastor’s financial mismanagement is one of the foremost causes of church conflict – and ultimately losing one’s job and ministry. In many cultures throughout the world (including the West), one’s financial dealings are considered one of the most personal aspects of an individual, a taboo topic to bring up. However, while developing spiritual leaders it is important that we set firm standards before problems arise. Many ministers have been catapulted from effective ministries because they have not established healthy financial habits. When developing new leaders, a minimalist conversation on financial maturity should include at least the following three discussions:
- Greed, Tithing, and Giving – Leadership offers positions of power and influence. If not checked and submitted to the Holy Spirit, these positions of power and influence can (and have for many leaders) quickly given way to that vicious enemy called greed. This was the case when the Apostle Peter wrote to believers warning them of leaders (false prophets and teachers) who would, “in their greed… exploit you with false words” (2 Peter 2:3). Those developing leaders can train them to think through the issue of greed and financial obedience by studying scripture that deals with the topic and encouraging heart checks for greed and motive for service.
Jesus taught about the heart of the issue at the Sermon on the Mount saying, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…. No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:19-21, 24). The scope of this blog will not allow us to dive too deep into the topic of tithing and giving. Suffice it to say that tithing and giving are some of the foremost tools God has given us to regularly cleanse us of greed and set our hearts on the treasures above. Leaders need to model and live with hearts set on heaven even more so than those they are leading. If they fail to do so, not only will their personal lives be worn down with struggle, but their ministries as well.
- Standing Above Reproach –As leaders there will be matters of money inside the church. There are few subjects more sensitive than how a church deals with the collective money which it gathers to further kingdom work. In this regard it is helpful to remember Paul’s instructions to overseers of churches, “be above reproach” (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:7). Another translation for “above reproach” is to be “irreproachable” or “never caught doing wrong.” In other words, the leaders of churches must not only distance themselves from darkness, but must also stay clear of the grey areas as well. They must avoid even a hint of the appearance of immorality or darkness. There are two ways leaders can practically avoid any questionable dealings with money. First, ensure that all money matters are dealt with in the hands of multiple people. Having the accountability of two or more people overseeing the practicalities of financial matters will spare many headaches and problems. The second, is to delegate accountant matters of money to someone other than the Elders of the church, while the Elders can remain involved with designing and implementing a church budget, the practical matters of managing the funds of a church can easily be handled by someone else.
- Budget and Debt – There are many helpful money management courses which are beneficial not only for leaders, but for ordinary members of a church. However, leaders should especially put extra thought into how they manage their personal money and debt as they are modeling not only how to pray and behave at church, but how to live an entire lifestyle which is honorable to the Lord. The world and church are intently watching the wallets of church leaders.