How A Church May Use Its Money (1)

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus..." (Col. 3:17). How a church obtains and uses its money are matters of Divine legislation. In I Cor. 16:2, we are told how a church obtains its money: "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." The Lord's Day contribution is the primary way for a church to obtain money. Cake sales, car washes, and begging the citizens of the community for money are not scriptural ways of obtaining money. If a church has more needy saints than it can care for, other churches may help it (II Cor. 8:1-9:15; Rom. 15:25-27; Acts 11:27-30). However, one church cannot scripturally send money to another church to preach the gospel. Why? No authority for so doing.

The treasury of the church must be used only for those works God has authorized the church to do (Col. 3:17). The Holy Spirit-inspired word of God furnishes a man to every good work: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

It is evident that the first century churches (1) supported preachers (Phil. 4:15-18; II Cor. 11:8,9), (2) relieved the needs of their own needy saints (Acts 2:43-45; 4:34-37; 6:1-7), (3) relieved the needs of churches which had more needy saints than they could relieve (Acts 11:27-30; II Cor. 8:1-9:15; Rom. 15:25-27), and (4) had a place to meet for worship (Acts 20:7,8). The church acted in three areas: (1) Edification, (2) evangelism, and (c) benevolence. Consider how the church is to use its money in these fields.

EDIFICATION: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ...From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love" (Eph. 4:11,12,16). Elders oversee the work of the church (I Pet. 5:1-3). They are responsible for the edification of each member of the church where they are overseers.

Congregations assemble for worship (Heb. 10:25). Assembly demands a time and place. Acts 20:7 (Lord's Supper) and I Cor. 16:1,2 (laying by in store) set a special day for these activities -- the first day of the week. Singing, praying, and teaching can be done any day of the week (Acts 2:42,46; Acts 3:1; I Cor. 14:26). When it comes to time, any time on the Lord's day for breaking bread and laying by in store, but not on any other day of the week. The place can be in the open, under a tree, in a private house, in an rented building, in a purchased building, or one given or loaned. When a church rents or buys, there are judgments to be made regarding location, cost, size, usability, esthetics, and comforts. These things are authorized by the command to assemble. A meeting place expedites the command to assemble.

Most congregations have several services and Bible Classes. In many of these, study materials are used which cost money, whether the material is purchased or made by the members. What to use and how much to spend are matters of judgment. Such materials help the elders edify the church.

Equipment is another major expense. Should the church have a public address system, an overhead projector and screen, copy machine, computer, cassette recorder, tape duplicator, or equipment to make TV broadcasts? Such equipment is authorized because it expedites the work of edification. Discretion is always needed in deciding what equipment is needed and how much to spend on it.