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What Money Means to Ministry

"Money follows the ministry." - Timothy J. Winters

Money is a means for ministry.  We make things happen in ministry with the aid of money.  It can happen in the form of charitable donations, offerings, tithes and other ways that people give to the ministry.  Money helps the ministry.

Wise Words from Winters

When Pastor Timothy J. Winters shared his insights on money following the ministry with me, he was speaking on preparation for a minister to discover his own personal calling.  He stated that some wanted to wait on the money to begin their ministry, an approach that did not signify a high level of faith.  We are to build the ministry, and the money and other resources needed will follow the ministry's work being initiated.

What Money Means to Ministry

We do not need money to operate ministry.  

That's a fact.

There is no doubt that money helps churches, parachurches, faith-based nonprofits and countless coalitions and associations doing good works.  However, money is not the main resource for ministry.  There are other resources incorporated in the anatomy of ministry that keep it going beyond money.

Money helps ministry.

Money helps us help others beyond what we are already doing for people.

Expanding the Ministry

We can expand the ministry from what it has been or who it has been helping, even where it has been operating.  Imagine the vision it took for Robert Schuller to see the possibilities of an empty drive-in movie theatre in Orange County.  It took vision, but it also took money to build the Crystal Cathedral, to produce the longstanding Sunday TV broadcast The Hour of Power, and publish a wide array of books.  With financial support, along with patience and dedication, the ministry was able to expand beyond its origin to world-renowned standing.

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The money did not make the ministry.  The money only served the purpose of helping to expand the ministry.

Money can help us serve more people.  It can help us produce and sell more products like gear and accessories.  It can help us provide more goods and services to the poor and needy.  It can help us take our ministry further than the current borders of our service.

Money can help with expanding the ministry.

Enhancing the Ministry

Money is a means for enhancing the ministry.

In other words, the ministry can grow in a different way and to a different level with the help of money.  You can enhance the ministry with additional elements.  You might change the selection of available items at your food pantry.  You might be able to provide your volunteers t-shirts or buttons to wear while serving.  You could enhance your ministry with more money.

You just have to be careful with sponsorships and donations.  These should help you do what you do, not direct and determine what you do.  You do not want money to inhibit or limit the ministry's ability to do good for others.

Money can help enhance the ministry.

Just keep it all in mind.  Money has a place in ministry, but money only follows the ministry.  Follow your heart first.  Find your calling.  Focus on that calling and its work.  You will be overwhelmed and amazed at the world of supporters out there, especially those who have more to offer than money- a willingness to pitch in and do some of the work with you.

Read more from Rev. Bruce on the Calling to Serve:

• Called Out and Counted On
• Shepherding is Serving
• Serving as Ministers

@Prayer is designed to stir up inspiration
by Lifepath08

The Real Deal on the Love of Money

Some people got to have it 
Some people really need it 
Listen to me y'all, do things, do things, do bad things with it

-For the Love of Money

The O'Jays

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

- 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)

The Truth About Money

Money tends to get a bad rap.  Search the Internet.  The truth is that money is not evil.  It is not "of the devil" as some believers have come to attest and profess.  Money is an inanimate object.  It has no feelings.  It has no intention, either good or bad.

Money is simply a means.  Money is a medium of exchange.

Money is not the problem.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. . .

The Real Problem Beyond Money

The real problem with money is our perspective on money.  Many of us as believers have a flawed perspective of money and what it can do for us.  Some see money as a problem-solver.  Some see money as a cure-all and a fix to all of their problems and issues in life.  

That perspective is full of trouble.

With a flawed perspective, we can never put money in its proper place within our lives.  It will always seem to have more power than it warrants if we believe it to be an all-powerful solution to our circumstances.

. . . If riches increase, Do not set your heart on them. - Psalm 62:10 (NKJV)

He who trusts in his riches will fall. . . - Proverbs 11:28 (NKJV)

 For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. 

-Proverbs 23:5 (NKJV)

The Real Deal Perspective on Money

Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith 

and pierced themselves with many griefs

-1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)

Do not approach money like these folks that Paul describes to Timothy.  Their desire and eagerness for money caused them to "have wandered from the faith." They found themselves plagued with "many griefs." Money is not worth it when it rips apart your faith and causes you grief upon grief.

Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; 

They increase in riches. 

- Psalm 73:12 (NKJV)

You will see some who prosper in spite of their misdeeds.  There will be those who seem to get ahead no matter what comes up.  Yes, "they increase in riches." They seem to have it easy, but you are not guaranteed to see their demise and destruction.  Just as the verses above mention, earthly riches are fleeting.  You can be on top today, and then at rock bottom tomorrow.

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, 

Loving favor rather than silver and gold. 

- Proverbs 22:1 (NKJV)

Discover what it means to truly be rich.  Look at the Lord's words in Luke 16:11: If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? (ESV).  There are those "true riches" that the Lord has set aside for us that far outweigh silver and gold, even hard currency and cold cash.

Read Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover or his Complete Guide to Money.  Other Christian authors such as Ron Blue or Larry Burkett, even Steve Marr's Business Proverbs, can also give you some insights and inspiration on handling the Lord's blessing of riches.

We just have to get the right perspective on money.  Once we have the right perspective on money, we can make money and truly keep money in its proper place.  That is when we can make room for the true riches that the Lord has for us.