Basic financial principles for the church

4/5/2014 1
Basic Financial Principles
for the Church
Developed for
The Church at Tatesbrook
for use in small groups

4/5/2014 2
Why Study Finances?
• 1800 references to money in Bible
• Financial problems are a factor in 80% of
divorces.
• How we handle money demonstrates our
values to a lost world.
• Desire for material possessions is large
chain to the world.

4/5/2014 3
Resources Used for Study
• The Word
• Christian Authors
– Larry Burkett
– Russ Crossen
– George Fooshee
– Ron Blue
– Austin Pryer
– Howard Dayton
• Experience
• Periodicals
0 500,000 1,000,000 1,500,000
Bible
Books
Experience
Periodicals
Sentences

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Our Values to a Lost World
• Selfishness -- Cooperation
• Pride -- Humility
• Self Control -- Impulsiveness
• Trusting God -- Rebellion or Independence
• Greed -- Generosity
• Sacrifice -- Immediate Self-gratification
• Kingdom Values -- Earthly Values
• Order -- Disorder

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Different Spending Types
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Cheap Average Sloppy
The Average Spender
needs a budget

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Combatants or Companions
 Go to Bed Late  Go to Bed Early
 Always Littering  Always Cleaning
 Terrible sense
of direction
 Always knows
where they are
 Spend  Invest
 Never talks at
parties
 Never stops
talking at parties

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DISC Personality Test
• Dominant
• Influencing
• Steady
• Conscientious
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
D I S C
Husband Wife

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Five Basic Principles
• God owns everything
• Give to God cheerfully
• Spend less than you make
• Spend only on good things
• Teach your children

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God Owns Everything
• You must understand that God owns
everything
• Nothing is yours, Nothing is mine
• Nothing is his, Nothing is hers
• God’s plan for a family is to manage His
assets

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The Earth is the Lord’s
• I Corinthians 10:26
– For the earth is the Lord’s and all it contains
• Psalm 24
– The earth is the Lord’s and all it contains, the
world and those who dwell in it
For He has founded it upon the seas, and
established it upon the rivers

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God as the Owner
• Garden of Eden - Genesis 1-3
• Vineyard - Matthew 20:1-16
• Landowner - Matthew 21:33
• Unrighteous Steward - Luke 16:1-13
• Nobleman - Luke 19:11-27

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Ownership Produces Greed
• Greed is a dangerous tool of the devil
• African Monkey Trap
• Coon Trap
• Hold things loosely

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Work for the Lord
• Whatever you do, do your work
heartily, as for the Lord rather than
for men; knowing that from the Lord
you will receive the reward of the
inheritance. It is the Lord Christ
whom you serve.
Colossians 3:23-24

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God Owns the Following
• Your Employer or
Company
• Your Insurance
Company
• Your Retirement
Account Management
company
• Your Doctor, Dentist
• Your Bank
• Your Utility company
• Your Boss
• Your Waiter

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Problems with Insurance
• Problems
– Robbing from insurance companies
• extra health care
• car repair
• would you do it if you had to pay?
– Transfer of Trust
• Ideas for Avoiding Problems
– High Deductibles

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Transfer of Trust
• And call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you
will honor Me.
Psalm 50:15
• Whom have I in heaven but Thee?
Psalm 73:25
• For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were
owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of
the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet; and they would be
distributed to each, as any had need.
Acts 4:34-35

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Life Insurance
• Why?
• How much?
• Term Vs Whole

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Week 1: Questions
• What is a steward?
• Are you a spender or a hoarder?
• What type of “DISC” personality are you?
• What do you expect from this class?
• What is a tithe?
• How are you managing your best friend’s checking account?
• Should you tithe on net or gross income?

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Week 1: Scripture
• Matthew 6:33
• Proverbs 22:3
• Matthew 7:9-11
• Luke 16:10
• Colossians 3:23
• Psalm 50:10
• Psalm 50
• Psalm 24
• I Corinthians
10:26

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Give to God Cheerfully
• Let each one do just as he has
purposed in his heart; not
grudgingly or under compulsion; for
God loves a cheerful giver.
II Corinthians 9:7

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Principle of the Cross
• Its not what you get out of the
deal that matters, its what
others get out of the deal that
matters.
- Paraphrased from Bob Warren

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God’s Plan to Reach the Lost
• Philippians 4
Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. You
yourselves also know that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left
Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but
you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.
Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to
your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance
• Acts 2
And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and
they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with
all, as anyone might have need.

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Who is the Receiver?
• The willingness to surrender to God a portion of what
we have is the external evidence of an internal
commitment.
Larry Burkett
• There is one who scatters, yet increases all the more,
and there is one who withholds what is justly do, but
it results only in want
Proverbs 11:24

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No Guaranteed Results
• He causes His sun to rise on the
evil and the good, and sends rain
to the righteous and the
unrighteous.
Matthew 5:45

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The Principle of Tithing
• Based on a response to a relationship acknowledging our wonderful
standing with our Heavenly Father
• Accepting the place of respect and participation in God’s family
which the Lord has given to us
• Ten percent is nothing more than the beginning investment
• Cultural African Baskets:
– Tithes
– Offerings
– Special Gifts / Trades

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Cain’s Misunderstanding
• Abel gave God what God wanted
• Cain gave God what Cain wanted to give God
• Cain was jealous of Abel because of God’s
response to Abel’s gift
• Cain hated Abel
Genesis 4

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Steps to Trusting God
• Give a tithe
• Give an offering
– Make a contract with God about future
increases
• Demonstrate to yourself and your
family that you trust God

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Giving or Saving
• Giving pays eternal dividends
• Savings pays compounded interest
• God can accomplish both
– And God is able to make all grace abound to you,
that always having all sufficiency in everything,
you may have an abundance for every good deed;
2 Corinthians 9:8

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Giving or Spending
Most people spend more on
transportation than Kingdom work
2004
22%
30%
17%
4%
5%
3%
2%
6%
4%
4%3%0%0%
Contributions
Shelter
Taxes
Transportation
Food
Appearance
Education
Recreation
Allowance
Gifts
Health
Kids/Pets
Work
1988
9%
19%
27%
21%
5%
2%
6%
2%
4%2%2%0%1%
Contributions
Shelter
Taxes
Transportation
Food
Appearance
Education
Recreation
Allowance
Gifts
Health
Kids/Pets
Work

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Three Theologies Contrasted
Poverty Prosperity Stewardship
View of Prosperity Non- materialistic, disdain
for possesions
Prosperity is the reward of
the righteous
Possessions are a trust given
in varying proportions
In a word,
possessions are:
A Curse A Right A privilege
Scriptural Reference Sell, give to poor (rich
young ruler) Luke 18:18-22
Ask, seek, and knock Matthew
7:7,8
Parable of the talents
Matthew 25:14-30
Mitigation In house of wise are
stores of choice food and
oil, but a foolish man
devours all he has.
Proverbs 21:20
Don’t wear yourself out to get
rich.
Proverbs 23:4,5
None
Needs met by: “Carefree attitude”, don’t
worry, seek kingdom first
Matthew 6:25-34
“Transaction”
tithe for a blessing
Malachi 3:10
“Faithful administration”
I Cor 4:2
Matthew 25:21,23
Concept Rejecter Owner Steward
Attitude Toward Poor We are We owe We care
Preoccupation Daily needs Money Wisdom
Attitude Toward
Possessions
Carefree
Proverb 3:5,6
Driven
Proverbs 10:17
Faithful
Luke 16:10, 11
Sound Mind Investing, Austin Pryor, March 2001

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Week 2: Questions
• Can you live better with 100 cursed dollars
than you would with 90 blessed dollars?
• How can you give uncheerfully?
• Should we tithe on our net or gross?
• Does God really need our money?
• How do you handle variable income?

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Week 2: Scripture
• Malachi 3:8-12
• Proverbs 15:16
• Proverbs 3:9-10
• Proverbs 11:24
• Matthew 12:7
• Luke 11:42
• Philippians 4:14-18
• 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

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Spend Less Than You Make
• Trust God to provide income.
• Do not spend more than God provides.
• Happiness is a positive cash flow.
• The problem is always outgo, never
income.

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Witness to the World
• Lender is authority over borrower
Proverbs 22:7
• Give honor to our authorities
Romans 13:1
• Only the wicked borrow and do not repay
Psalm 37:21

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The Debtor is a Slave
950 BC … The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s
slave.
Proverbs 22:7
30 AD … The lender was given authority to imprisonment, slavery and the
confiscation of a borrower’s total worldy possessions
1920 … Abraham Johnson, white male, commended to debtor’s prison for a
period of six years, or until the debt is resolved, for failure to pay the
agreed-upon sum of $200 for a mule.
Today ...

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Biblical Principles of Borrowing
• Debt is not normal
– Deuteronomy 28:1,12
• Do not accumulate long term debt
– Deuteronomy 15:1-2
• Avoid Surety
– Do not co-sign a loan for someone else
– Make sure down payment will cover worst case depreciation
– Do not use a credit card for any item that is not in your budget
• Make an absolute commitment to repay

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“Me” Generation has weak
definition of Commitment
• When situations arise that make it difficult to repay a bill, it is acceptable to not
pay it.
• When a product does not perform to our expectations, we demand a refund,
regardless of terms of purchase
• When we commit to a job, we expect good pay, a guaranteed retirement program,
promotion to just be matter of time, forty hours a week maximum, the last of
each day to make the transition to home easier, a ten minute coffee break to last
half an hour, a half hour lunch to last an hour and a half, and an equal share of the
company profits
• When an individual is not satisfied with a marriage, divorce is acceptable
• When we can’t make ends meet, we go bankrupt. It must be OK, or the
government would not let us do it.
• Do “WE,ME” know how to commit to God?

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Common Reasons for
Overspending
• Ignorance - Proverbs 27:23
• Communication - I Peter 3:7
• Greed - Proverbs 13:18
– Impulse Buying

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Rules to Avoid Impulse Buys
• Wait 30 days
• Pray, Consult with small group
• Compare prices at 3 other locations
• Only consider one impulse item at a time
• Never use credit card

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Financial Planning
• Short Term Budget
– spend less than you make
• Long Term Budget
– spend wiser
– build surplus
• Retirement
– making surplus last

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Short Term Budget
• Get out of Debt
• Establish a surplus

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Long Term Budget
• Many people think they have a budget, but in reality what
they have is a detailed spending record
• Keys to making it successful
– Prayer
– Communication
• Daily
• Yearly
– Wise Counsel --- Accountability

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Keeping a Budget
• You need good Records
• Provides Financial Freedom
– Fence around playground
• Measurement of your financial plan
• Allows you to learn from your mistakes

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Poor Excuses not too Budget
• Ignorance
• Laziness
• Too much money
– Sloppiness
– Need “Value of Money” reference

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Testimonies of Budgeting
• Able to work more efficiently
• Surplus for family and the Lord’s work
• Peace in our lives for the first time ever

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Budget Form
Income Salary Monthly Budget
Taxable Interest
Other
Taxable Income $0.00
Expenses Contributions $0.00 Malachi 3:6-12
Tithe $0.00
Giving
Taxes $0.00 Romans 13:6-8
Federal Honesty, Itemize, Taxed deferred investments,
FICA Budgeting for entire year instead of just tax time
State
Local
Shelter $0.00 Exodus 20:17, Proverbs 24:27
Mortgage or rent Luke 6:46-49
Insurance Consider the long term debt -- budget for now and future
Property taxes Do your own maintenance -- have friends over
Electricity Live with parents
Gas House sit
Water Care for elderly
Sanitation Financing
Telephone Heat low (sweaters) Cool high (shorts)
Maintenance Turn off the lights
Improvements
Furniture
Food $0.00 Make a menu, it reduces eating out
Groceries Make a list for shopping
Restaurants Less spontaneous spending (junk food)
Fewer trips to the store
Less money for transportation
Less spontaneous spending (junk food)
Don't always buy name brand
Use coupons (like nontaxable income)
Pack Lunches (can save $80/month/person)
Effective use of leftovers
Gardening
Don't shop while hungry (junk food)

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Week 3: Questions
• Have you discussed your financial future?
• Have you appointed a bookkeeper?
• Can you balance a check book?
• Have you memorized the five basic
principles?

4/5/2014 51
Week 3: Scripture
• Luke 16:10
• Luke 14:28
• Proverbs 24:3-4
• Proverbs 22:7
• Proverbs 15:22

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4/5/2014 53
Good Things or Bad Things?
• Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry,
sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, disputes, outbursts of anger, dissensions, factions, envying,
drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned
you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of
the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control,
against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the
flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us
not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:19-26
• Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of
praise, let your mind dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard
and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9

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Good Things for a Surplus
• Rejoice, its God’s Intention
II Chronicles 16:9, Psalm 37:4, Proverbs 8:21
• Further God’s Work
Acts 4:34
• Family Responsibility
I Timothy 5:8
• Save for Future Work
– College cost I
Timothy 6:17-19
– Funding for Mission Work
– Time for Volunteer Work
– Retirement

4/5/2014 55
Bad Things to Avoid
(Rich Robbing from the Poor)
• Credit Cards
• Lottery
• Gambling
• Rent-A-Center
• Home Equity Loans
• Car Leases
• Automatic Overdrafts
• Cigarettes
• Enhanced Cable /
Satellite
• Full Price Movies
• Cell Phones ( any
consumer gadget )
• There’s an app for that

4/5/2014 56
Handling Abundance and Need
• But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your
concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before but you lacked
opportunity, not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content
in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble
means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every
circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry,
both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through
Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:10-13
• And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in
Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

4/5/2014 57
Our Values to a Lost World
• “What a believer does is not who he is, even
though who he is has a tremendous impact on
what he does”
– Bob Warren
• “Live simply so that others can simply live”
– Tony Campolo

4/5/2014 58
Wise, Consistent Counsel
Working for Kingdom
• Insurance Agent
• Real Estate Agent
• Financial
Consultant
• Banker
Interview them, let
them know you are
different from the
world

4/5/2014 59
Danger Signs
• Independent Spirit - Genesis 2:24
• Lack of Communication - Luke 14:28
• Unexplained Fatigue - Proverb 15:16
• Irresponsibility
• Ostrich Imitation - Proverbs 15:19
• Religious Escape - Luke 16:12
– “Trust God to provide”
– Bird in the field syndrome

4/5/2014 60
Danger Signs - Continued
• Overcommitent - Psalm 127:2
• Indulgence - Proverbs 13:8
• Parent Loans -
• Working Wife - Ecclesiastes 5:10
• No tithe - Malachi 3:10
• Income equals outgo - Proverbs 21:20

4/5/2014 61
Week 4: Questions
• Are you supporting tools of the Devil?
• Can God use the things you purchase?
• How does a lost world view you as
different?
• Do you pray about your purchases?

4/5/2014 62
Week 4: Scripture
• Luke 16: 10-11
• Daniel 3:17-18
• Proverbs 14:12
• Colossians 3:23

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4/5/2014 64
Teach Your Children
• Train up a child in the way he should
go, even when he is old he will not
depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

4/5/2014 65
Who are your children?
• Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God
our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope; to Timothy, my true
child in the faith; Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and
Christ Jesus our Lord
I Timothy 1:1-2
• My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin.
And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous.
I John 2:1

4/5/2014 66
What are you teaching?
• Your children are watching
– Illusions of easy life based on debt
– Money grows on trees
– “Only the best”
• Your children are listening
– Arguments
– Accusations, placements of blame

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Generational Degradation
• In 1995, with credit, we tried to accumulate in a few
years what our parents accumulated over 30 years
while we were living with them.
• In 2005, each child is subjected to 10,000 advertising
messages every month, only 1,000 messages from a
parent
• In 2015, with credit, rent, embezzlement and theft,
our children will try to accumulate immediately what we
accumulated in the few years before they were born
not pursue what we pursued.

4/5/2014 68
The “Value of Money”
• Picking Potato bugs (Kevin)
• Cleaning the barber shop (Kevin)
• Negotiated Good Grade Payment (Michael)
• Mowing grass (Henderson)
• Sold Pet Rock for 10 cents (Dacian)
• Lunch Money Surplus (Travis)
• Selling Toothpicks (Matt)
• Wrapping Packages (Kim)

4/5/2014 69
Jobs for Children
• Pay only for jobs completed
– clear definition of job
– honor authority
• Pay only for quality work
– honor authority
– do best possible job
• Pay fair amount
– Overpayment is disincentive for jobs outside the home
• Visual reinforcement
– Easier to understand
– Long lasting impact

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Allowance
• For even when we were with you, we used to give you
this order: if anyone will not work, neither let him eat.
II Thessalonians 3:10
• Reward extra effort
– Different rewards for different children with different
personalities
– The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to receive his
share of the crops
II Timothy 2:6

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Age Appropriate Guidelines
• Age 1 - 10
– Show them, Tell them, Teach them
• Age 11 - 16
– Encourage them, test them
• Age 17 - 21
– Pray for them, guide them to the correct
career, counsel them wisely when asked

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Last Will and Testament
• Distribute your Wealth
• Communicate Values to Receiver
• Communicate Values to those who
take on your responsibilities

4/5/2014 73
Week 5: Questions
• Can your children state your views?
• Do they know you live like you talk?
• Will your children try to accumulate
in one year all the things you have
accumulated in 25 years?
• Will your children be able to be happy
if they don’t have your income?

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Week 5: Scripture
• Proverbs 22
• I John 2
• Proverbs 29
• Proverbs 3:12
• Proverbs 16:26

4/5/2014 75
Alumni
Class of 2000
– Matt & Kim Hind
– Gadis & Kelley Thomas
– Chris & Jenny Bruner
– Tony & Allie Lucas
– April Fields
– Bret Ledbetter
Youth Class of 2002
– Bobby Leahy
– Rene Leahy
– Kristin Hosea
– Whitney Fields
– Chuck Horning
– Josh Kheradmand
– Katie Rogers
– Courtney Moffitt
– Gaddis & Kelley
Thomas
– Tammy
Kheradmand
Class of 2003
– Brian & Eileen Bietz
– Josh & Kresta Wilson
– Tim & Linda Scott
– Brady Hudson
– Rust Banton
Class of 2005 - July
– Michael & Joe Joe Harrington
– Duane & Dacian Keaton
– Travis & Sarah Westerfield
– Tommie Martin
Class of 2004
– Stu & Chris Schweitzer
– Robin Potter
Class of 2005 - Nov
– Brian & Eileen Bietz
– Bret Ledbetter
– Tommie Martin
Class of 2001
– Arthur & Lavina Kamentz
– Mike & Lisa Brady
Class of 2001
– Jonathan Slay
Class of 2013 - September
– Brenda Jones
– Ellen Smith
– Elaine Smith
Class of 2011 - Feb
– Paul & Tracy Barth
– Kent & Amber Billingsley
– Josh & Erin Covington
– Ashyln Bruce

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