By Mark A. Taylor
The president of a Christian college commented to me about the staff cutbacks and salary reductions he initiated at his school several weeks ago.
“This is difficult,” he admitted. “But I think good can come out of it. In the tough times we have the chance to demonstrate real leadership.”
Indeed, throughout history nations, families, and individuals have made surprising accomplishments when the odds against them were the greatest.
But we know not everyone rises to the challenge presented to them by difficult circumstances. Some who lost everything in the Great Depression of the last century jumped out of high-rise windows. Some in our own churches, faced with unexpected loss, curse God and wallow in despair.
And some leaders will sit behind closed doors in church buildings this month and reduce or restrict their congregation”s outreach because they believe offerings will be down next year.
We can”t be Pollyanna, of course. If the checkbook balance won”t pay the church”s bills, spending must be cut. But as we think about church finances in the coming days, let”s keep a couple of principles in mind:
Remember priorities. Rather than slipping into survival mode at the first sign of a shortfall, let”s consider our mission in the world.
It”s true that new carpet, a better sound system, or improvements to the kitchen can all be used for the cause of Christ. But with each budget item we must ask ourselves if our spending is more for ourselves or for the world God wants us to reach.
The persecuted church in India, the starving believers in Kenya, and the illiterate, hungry populations of our own communities cry out for the good news of the gospel. Let”s not ignore them for the price of our own comfort.
Turn first to God. The American church, like many American enterprises, has often succeeded through the entrepreneurship, education, and skill of its leaders. God has blessed and used our initiative and ability, even when our notions of progress have been shaped more by the culture than by his Word.
But let”s not depend on our own resources alone to weather the current economic slowdown. “Cast your cares on the Lord,” advises the psalmist. “He will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22).
Sometimes his provision becomes most evident only after all our means have been exhausted. If that happens in coming months, we can agree with the college president that God indeed is using the current economic troubles for good.
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