Giving Away Their Excess

Many years ago, I worked with a congregational treasurer who lived by the motto, “It’s only money, honey.” What he meant was that it was fruitless to spend so much time and energy worrying about something that began and ended with God. The amount of value we put on money is foolish. And the power we allow money to have in our lives is silly. “It’s only money, honey.”

I can’t tell you the number of sermons I’ve preached over the years on the bondage of the unholy dollar. Striving for more of them consumes us, and the lack of them concerns us. As John D. Rockefeller reportedly said, “How much money does it take to make a man happy? Just one more dollar.” When a dollar becomes our god, then we become the embodiment of Jesus’ “rich man,” who can’t enter heaven.

Over the years, I have encountered a host of different budgeting styles. I’ve seen budgets that emphasize savings, budgets that lean toward programming, and budgets that prioritize facilities or maintenance. But it wasn’t until I arrived at Living Faith Free Lutheran in Larimore, N.D., that I encountered a non-budget budget. What I mean is a budget that addresses the cost of ministry while keeping any potential fear of lack at bay—because, at the end of every leadership meeting, they give away their excess.

Now, I’m not talking about arbitrarily draining their account each month; they do leave money in the account to cover their foreseen obligations. But apart from that, they look at their list of outside needs (mostly in the AFLC), and divide up their excess. Thousands of dollars are simply given away each month, in faith that God will supply their future needs the next month. A savings account is only created if a large project of some kind is expected. So when one of the leaders references Psalm 50, they mean it—and practice it. They trust in a God who “owns the cattle on a thousand hills.”

It can be a challenge at times, especially for the treasurer, and the cost of doing business today is different than in years past. But this congregation wants to live in the “promised land,” trusting in God rather than the bank or some credit card. Though small modifications are necessary at times, the principle of generosity rules their budget. Their confidence in a God of provision doesn’t waver. After all, “It’s only money, honey.”

—Pastor David Johnson, Faith Free Lutheran, Larimore, N.D.