Page 108 - Ecclesiology revised short_Neat

Chapter 13: Accountability- Record Keeping and Accounting

Connect…

How can one achieve a goal if one does not set a goal for his life? Have you ever heard the saying, “You
can only hit at what you aim?” In other words, if you do not plan, you will never achieve great things.
One of the most important plans a church can make is a plan on how they are going to spend the money
God brings to the church. This plan is based on what the church feels is important. It becomes a matter
of priorities. The important thing to remember is that God will hold us all accountable someday for how
we spend HIS resources. And the way we can track that responsibly is to create a budget or spending
plan and attempt to keep it. Let’s see how to do that….

Objectives…

1. The student should be able explain how 100% of everything we have or receive is God’s. The church
is called to be faithful managers of God’s resources.

2. The student should be able describe how a budget is a way that the church can become accountable
to God for how it is managing God’s funds.

3. The student should be able to create a budget for their church.

The Lesson ...

Record Keeping & Accounting

The church is to be FAITHFUL managers of what He entrusts to her. And every bit of money He gives the
church is entrusted for careful care.

Matthew 25:14 Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted
his wealth to them.

Whose wealth is entrusted? God’s wealth! Who does he entrust? Us! It’s not our wealth, it is God’s
but he gives us the opportunity to manage it for Him. And it is God who gives us the ability to manage
and produce an increase.

Deuteronomy 8:18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce
wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

God expects us to be GREAT stewards of what He entrusts to us. And how we care for God’s money is a
reflection on our own Christian character.

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