Name A Treasurer and A Bookkeeper

 Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Many times, I’m asked, “What is the difference between a church and a cell

group? I tell people, “A church is a group of people who are committed to

Christ and to one another. Together, they seek to obey all that Christ

commanded.” We know the seven basic commands of Christ: Repent and

believe the Good news. Baptize. Love God and neighbor. Pray and feed on

God’s word daily. Participate in the Lord’s Supper. Give. Make disciples.

Jesus commands his followers to give. This means, that in addition to keeping

the other six basic commands of Jesus, churches are groups of people who also

practice giving. Church members give tithes and offerings. Tithes are gifts to

God that represent 10% of a person’s income. Offerings are other gifts given

for the Lord’s work. When church members give money, grain, produce, or

animals to the church to advance the cause of Christ, they honor God and

strengthen the church. Giving back to God a part of what he has enabled us to

earn through creativity and hard work is an act of worship. The gifts that are

given to God through the church are sacred. They are devoted to God. They

must be treated with respect and managed well.

It is not wise for the church planter or the church planter’s spouse to manage

the money and other gifts given to a church. They are busy with ministry

activities including prayer, Bible study, and making disciples. And many times,

the gifts given to the church will be used by the church planter or his spouse

for transportation, ministry events, or caring for needy church members. If the

same persons who receive tithes and offerings spend the tithes and offerings,

suspicions can grow. People begin to ask, “Did they spend all the money they

received like they said they did? Or are they keeping some of it for

themselves?”

As a church planter, you can avoid that problem by naming a treasurer and a

bookkeeper. A church treasurer holds the money given to the church until it is

needed. He or she holds the money in a strong box under lock and key or in a

bank. A bookkeeper keeps track of money and other gifts received by the

church as well as money spent by the church. When money comes into the

church, the bookkeeper records the amount. The treasurer puts the money in

the strong box or bank until it is needed for ministry authorized by the elders.

When money is given out for ministry authorized by the elders, the bookkeeper

makes a record and keeps receipts. Bookkeeper give regular reports of church

income and expenses.

When a treasurer and bookkeeper manage the funds given to the church, the

church planter and the church planter’s spouse are freed to focus on spiritual

ministry. When a treasurer and bookkeeper manage the funds given to the

church, the church planter, elders, deacons and other church leaders know

exactly how the people’s tithes and offerings are being used. This creates

trust. So church planter, name a trustworthy treasurer and bookkeeper

without delay. This will lighten your load and help you walk in the light.

You’ve been listening to “Multiply.” And I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you

share this encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #WalkInTheLight