Budget Guidelines

I have just spoken about giving to the needy. And I have spoken about supplying the needs of church leaders. But let's be realistic here-- overall, what should we give to? Although it is complex, Scripture does give us guidelines to give away our resources-- all of them. Let's see what it says.

In our personal budget, the Scripture says that we must give to meet the needs of our families. This means not only our spouse and children, but our aged parents as well. If we do not care for their basic needs, then we are worse than unbelievers, Paul says.

Next, whether in our personal budget or our church budget, we must meet the needs of our church leaders-- especially those who teach us God's word. This is significant, because they probably depend on us to supply their needs and God says it is our responsibility to do so.

Next, we must provide for the needs of other brothers and sisters in the church. Should another in the body of Christ have need, we-- as an individual or as a church-- should rush in to help as we can. This is especially a need in which the church can provide assistance such as food, clothing or shelter. Also, this command is not restricted to a single church body, but extends out to the entire worldwide church. Thus, we must do what we can to assist starving believers or homeless believers in Latin America, Africa, India or Indonesia as well as our local congregation. If we refuse to help these brothers and sisters, then we demonstrate that we have not recieved God's grace, for God's love does not live in us.

Last in priority, but with no less zeal, we must provide for unbelievers that have need as well. Yes, we must do this wisely, but to do so is to provide a foundation for the gospel to be accepted. Our evangelism must have hands and feet as well as tongues. Should we only preach the gospel to unbelievers yet not live it out to them, they rightly call us hypocrites.

In summary, God's command to us in giving is thus: family first, then pastors, then believers in need then unbelievers in need. These needs seem so vast, and our resources seem so miniscule, how, one may ask, can we meet these goals. We must remember-- God did not require us to feed all the poor or to satisfy every need. He knew we could not. What God honors is the process of sacrificing, of surrendering all, according to His command even though the task seems fruitless. In that way, we will receive His reward and not that of any man.

Text of the Radical Reformer-- Radio Show #57