Treasure?

The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44 (NASB)

I would define the “kingdom of heaven” as the touch or intervention of God, or the right relationship with Him that He calls us into. This verse is a parable Jesus told describing what it is like when we encounter or discover that touch, that undeserved and life-altering relationship. Yet in my life, and from observing others, I don’t find it all that commonly. Interaction with the kingdom seems a more casual thing that I can take or leave sometimes. Or if I’m feeling especially self-righteous, I can do the church thing out of duty or obediance. But Jesus says this guys sells everything to buy the field and obtain the treasure “out of joy.” If I discover and recognize a real treasure, my motivation is strong and it is spurred on by joy. I suspect that when I’m half-hearted or uncommitted or even when I am just dutiful, I’m not really recognizing the authenic treasure. I’m accepting a construct of my own. And that doesn’t satisfy like the real thing.

Pastors and Money

I’m not sharing any Bible this time because there is not a lot in there specifically on this subject, except the general thoughts that Christians should be generous, not show partiality, be above reproach in all their dealings, and be good stewards….and these are not aimed primarily at those filling the role of pastor in most cases.

I am on a pastor search committee for my church right now and I hear this idea repeated over and over again by candidates….and it really bothers me. “I want to know where money is spent and that we’re making ends meet, but I don’t want to have anything to do with finances, money, or budgets, and above all, I would never want to know what anyone gives.”

Now I understand that two of the most common places pastors blow it is with money and with women. They end up either stealing or using money improperly, or they have an affair. I would argue that these temptations come their way not because they are pastors, but simply because they are men. In an attempt to protect themselves and their flocks from the temptation and the fallout of failure in these areas, it seems they have opted to do establish some guardrails. I heartily agree that the intention and commitment to deal very careful with both women and money is a good thing. But to be careful need not be the same thing as avoidance. Just as pastors can minister to women with appropriate safeguards in place, I believe pastors can participate in and provide financial leadership to the churches they lead with some accountability as part of a system. In fact, I think it is essential for a couple of reasons:

1) When Jesus returns and the Kingdom of God is completely established, I would assume dealing with money will cease to be a necessity. Until then, however, managing financial resources is a responsibility God has granted those in positions of leadership and authority. In my household and in the workplace, I and millions of other secular Christians are responsible before God to be good, honest stewards and to manage money and our business with integrity. I don’t see anything in the Bible that absolves those in fill-time Christian service from this responsibility. If I, as a layman, am expected to learn to live with integrity and still deal with money, shouldn’t my pastor be expected to have the same character?

2) If any leader is to lead effectively over the long-term, he or she must participate in a real and meaningful way in the finances of the organization they lead. Churches handle LOTS of money and are accountable before God in how wisely or poorly they use it. In congregationally-governed churches, this usually means that some deacons or a budget committee are involved and, in many cases, control the purse-strings. It is just common sense that ministry will be more effective if funding is aligned with the priorities of ministry. As an example, if the pastor wants to lead towards community missions outside the church walls, yet those in control of finances are laser focused on raising money for a new building, things are not going to go well. So again, practically, having a seat at the financial decision-making table and substantial influence on how the church’s money is spent is just good leadership.

And finally, the universal statement, “I would never want to know what someone is giving.” I believe this is, again, based on removing a source of temptation. My interpretation is that Pastor Jones does not want to be unduly influenced by the fact that the wealthy Smith family provides 20% of his annual budget, so to remove this temptation, he chooses to not know what anyone gives. Someone at the church knows. Often lots of people know. But the leader chooses not to know? He has no idea?

Again, as a layman, I think I am accountable to God to treat people the way I want to be treated, regardless of how much business they do or don’t do with me. And I am also responsible to do what is good for my business. In order to do this, I need financial information. Sometimes I have to make a choice between doing what is most profitable and doing what is right. I would state quite emphatically that this is a question of character, plain and simple. Not knowing the facts does not make me a person of character, it just makes me a less effective as a leader and in business. Now I know someone will shout, “We should never run a church like a business.” I agree, we should run it better! But practically, the biggest practical concern I have with pastors not knowing what people give is that men can become leaders, and deacons, and teachers in the church…..all the while being disobedient to God with their giving. Should that happen? If the pastor isn’t watching over this, who is?

So I’m looking for a candidate that, when addressing the money issue would say, “I want the church I lead to be excellent in all it does, including finances. Systems should be in place to make sure we have security, redundancy, and accountability in all our financial dealings. I want to provide leadership, along with other church leaders, in assuring that our spending aligns with our goals and is honoring to God. I am responsible before God for how I lead this church, and that includes how we collect, manage, and re-direct the money God brings through our hands. And there should be no financial secrets kept from me or by me that are not shared with the other leaders in this church.”

Adultery

Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving. But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole, even if he has to sell everything in his house. But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself. He will be wounded and disgraced. His shame will never be erased. Proverbs 6:30-33 (NLT)

Want to screw up your emotional and physical health, complicate your financial future forever, damage your children, and permanently scar the people you love? You can accomplish all this through a word we don’t use too much any more: “adultery.” Call it cheating, being unfaithful, whatever you want. I can’t think of anything you could do that more effectively causes more long-term damage and pain.

Think it will go differently for you? That you will be spared? Think the way you handle your sexuality as a single won’t matter when you’re married? That pattens of behavior are easy to break? Think sexual content in entertainment, flirting with someone cute, being a “good friend” and spending lots of time with someone of the opposite sex doesn’t lead anywhere? Duh.

Self-controlled and Sensible

In the first two chapters of Titus, the missionary Paul tells his young protege…

1. Elders must be self-controlled (1:8 NIV and NASB)
2. Older men must be self-controlled (2:2 NIV) or sensible (NASB)
3. Older women are to train younger women to be self-controlled (2:5 NIV) or sensible (NASB)
4. Encourage young men to be self-controlled (2:6 NIV) or sensible (NASB)

I’m not a Bible scholar, but I think Paul wants Titus to value and encourage these Christians to exercise self-control and be sensible. Since Paul seems to stress this, I’d venture to say it was a problem that needed attention. It still does.

Guess what? You can be a Christian and do STUPID, STUPID things and live a wreckless life that damages yourself and those around you. God still loves you and saves you by His grace and mercy, and we (like Paul says in 3:3) were all foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved. But you, Christian, have the Holy Spirit living in you now and you CAN be self-controlled and sensible. Quit making excuses.

Holding On

I’ve got an older friend that is always telling me “how much this country has gone down,” meaning that America is an immoral country getting worse quickly. I don’t necessarily agree; I just think it is more obvious and, freed from the idea of absolute right and wrong, less likely to feel shame and guilt. But yesterday was one of those days that made me wonder.

A young mother I know had deserted her children. Two young couples with toddlers had split because one or both of them had been unfaithful. A man given charity complained that the donor wasn’t generous enough. I have friends suffering intense mental and physical pain, and one called last night asking for prayer because he was feeling suicidal. And on TV last night there was a show about a family helping their transgender 10-year old boy in his quest to become a girl. How do you maintain faith in the midst of all that brokeness, confusion, pain and just plain evil? What are you holding on to? What’s at the end of your rope?

The Bible teaches it’s not a “what” we must hold on to, but a “who.”

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.” Isaiah 42:1-4a