Why you should know where churches get their money and what they do with it
Hop in your car and go for a drive. Depending on where you live, you probably pass several churches along your route. Some churches are large and gorgeous and others aren’t as pretty. Truth is, the actual building doesn’t necessarily indicate what the people are like on the inside. But it does give an indication of the church’s financial situation.
Here’s the lowdown on where churches get their money, what they do with it and why you should care.
Where do churches get their money?
People tend to get a little squirrely when the topic of finances and financial giving comes up at church. Most churches receive financial support from tithing and donations. Staggeringly, only roughly 5% of churchgoers tithe.
How do churches spend money?
The Bible gives some pretty clear instructions on how churches should spend their money. For the most part, you’ll find that churches spend the bulk of their funds in the following areas:
Evangelism — The Bible gives Christians a clear directive when it comes to evangelism. It’s called the Great Commission and is found in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (NASB1995). Evangelism comes in many forms. Sometimes, it looks like an awesome kids’ program or summer camp. Other times, it’s handing out pamphlets or taking a mission trip to help others.
Operations — The Bible is clear that the church should pay its elders, teachers and workers. “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer deserves his wages’” (1 Timothy 5:17-18 ESV). Many times, this looks like paying the bills for physically keeping the church running — think, keeping the lights on and the water running.
Giving to the needy — You’re probably not surprised that this one made the list. Christians should strive to help those in need whenever possible. Maybe you’d like to spend your time volunteering at a soup kitchen or building homes for veterans. Or, perhaps, you could give some food to the homeless person on the corner. Or, donate those extra clothes (or the income you make selling them) to someone who needs help. You can even just drop dinner off at a friend’s house after a tough day. The point is to find ways to be helpful to those around you.
Why should I care where churches get their money?
How leaders handle the financial matters of the church says a lot about the type of church you’re attending. The Bible states, “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 Corinthians 8:21 NIV). This means that how the church handles its money should be above reproach. Those in charge of the church’s finances should be trustworthy and there should be several “checks and balances” for accountability.
If you are a member of a church, you should feel free to ask about the church’s financial status (in a kind manner). Many churches will even give an annual report of sorts to keep its congregation in the loop and for an added layer of accountability.
Centerpoint Church is ready to walk with you on your faith journey
At Centerpoint, our community believes in purpose and passion, and we would love to walk with you on your journey in finding yours. You can also find out what our community’s purpose and
passion are all about by checking out some of the past sermons we’ve posted on our website.
Do you want to grow in your faith, or are you simply curious about who this Jesus guy is? You’re not alone. We encourage you to listen to our podcast series online and welcome you to come to one of our Sunday morning services in Valrico, Florida.