"All the church ever talks about is money!" We've all heard that statement before. I used to have a difficult time talking about money, receiving special offerings, etc. It wasn't until I became a Senior Pastor that I truly realized how much money it takes to do ministry. Jesus often talked about money and stated that our perspectives on and use of money reveals our true heart. A few biblical stewardship lessons include: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:21; “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." - Matthew 6:24; "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil..."-1 Timothy 6:10; and so many others. Some of my favorite passages concerning stewardship are found in Matthew 18:23-35, 20:1-16; 25:14-30; and 1 Timothy 5:18. God even setup a GREAT plan for funding the work of the church... it's called tithing. In the Old Testament Law, we were introduced to the tithe and it was equitable for everyone. In the New Testament, the stakes are raised and we are taught "grace giving" which exceeds the Law. The bottom-line is that God doesn't need our money, but we need God's blessings that come through obedience!
When I first arrived at Emmanuel Baptist Church, the church was having financial difficulty. One of my heroes, James Faile, told me of special prayer meetings regarding finances; nights of weeping over lack of funds; a bond campaign that he and Sally coordinated on their kitchen table; E.Jack Smith helping to float EBC through financial difficulty after the fires; etc. In 2002, EBC averaged approx 300 people and had a monthly mortgage payment of $15,000. They had built a $4 million building, were encumbered by the debt, and were struggling to maintain some other areas of the campus. I'll never forget the words of my friend and a local church Business Manager as we looked at the financial statements of EBC, he said, "You've got a mess on your hands." Well, we did; but it wasn't too big for God! The whole church sacrificed and God blessed our efforts. We emphasized stewardship, we refinanced our mortgage several times, we adjusted our annual budget, with new members came more money, and the list goes on. The Deacons and I offered a "Money Back Guarantee" to those who would tithe. It went like this, "If after one year of tithing, you can honestly say that God did not bless you for your obedience, then we will refund whatever the amount you gave to EBC." Our people took the challenge, but we never had to refund a dime. Instead, people learned of God's faithfulness and there were stories of how God blessed obedience. You see, God doesn't need our money, but we need His blessings!
So, what did God do financially at EBC over the past 14 years?
- Cash was paid for all of the improvements listed in my previous blog post.
- Money has already been saved and earmarked to replace carpet and A/C units in the Worship Center, to build a pavilion and soccer building, and other future enhancements.
- Our $1.7 million debt was paid off and EBC now has approx $1.5 million in the bank.
- The loan that ECS took to make it through the 2002-03 school year was paid off.
- ECS has finished the past several years with large surpluses.
- An emergency operational fund has been setup for both EBC and ECS.
- A college scholarship fund was established for EBC students.
- We doubled our missions giving.
- $50,000 was given to missionaries, in addition to regular giving, during our 2016 missions conference.
- A policy of saving in advance and making cash purchases was established.
- Our school faculty salaries have nearly doubled, but still need to increase.
- Our church staff salaries increased and are in line with the other Baptist churches in our community.
- Staff & faculty now receive FULL benefits.
- The list goes on and so do the blessings. God proved that His Word is true as stated in Malachi 3:10, God blesses obedience!
God has so blessed Emmanuel Church and School. We have beautiful, updated facilities; money in the bank; surplus and emergency funds; well-paid staff; abundant money to use toward ministry; and so much more! God brought us from lean financial times to a place of excess. Leaders including Winston Churchill, Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and even Spider Man made statements such as, "With great power comes great responsibility." I would compare that statement to the challenge given in Luke 12:48, "...to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more." So, to Emmanuel Baptist Church family I say, thank you for giving to the Lord, now be faithful stewards of the blessings God has given to you.
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