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Teach Your Congregation to Give to God's Five Funds

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Should pastors ever talk about money? Only if you want to make disciples. What we worship shows in how we spend our time, our energy, and our money. So one of the roles of church leaders is to help people see the proper place of money in our lives and the potential reward in eternity when we invest our resources into eternal things. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:18-19, “Tell people to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always being ready to share whatever God has given them. By doing this they’ll be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven. It is the only safe investment for eternity and they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well.” Notice three things:

Money should be used, not loved. We should love people and use money and never use people and love money.
Money can be invested to store up treasures for eternity.
You invest in eternity by using your money for God's purposes for your life.

Since God has five purposes for your life, He also has five funds for people to invest in—one for each purpose.

**1. We can invest in his treasury fund.**

In Matthew 6, Jesus says, “Don’t store up for yourself treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves can break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” We invest in God's treasury fund in heaven when we use our money to express worship to God. God doesn't need money. But when people given an offering to God, they're saying, "God, I love you and I'm thinking of you and I want you to be first in my life." Worship giving is undesignated. We offer it as a sacrifice with no strings attached and no controls placed on it. And we offer it when and where we worship.

**2. We can invest in his mutual fund.**

The second purpose of God for our lives is to learn to love other people. The Bible says in Romans 12:10, “Love one another with mutual affection.” People invest in God's mutual fund by using money to encourage fellowship and build relationships with other people. Giving to God brings people closer to God, and giving to other people brings us closer to other people. We lead people to give to each other through acts of hospitality, such as hosting a small group with refreshments, encouraging and discipling people over a cup of coffee, and serving a meal to people who need friends. This often happens within the body in a way that can't be programmed. It's spontaneous and personal.

**3. We can invest in his growth fund.**

The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:18 “Grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Some of my money expresses worship. And some of my money encourages fellowship. And I invest in God's growth fund when I use some of my money to enhance my own personal character, my own personal growth. When you teach about money, it's always appropriate to challenge people to use some of their money to buy and read books, to develop skills, to pursue education, or to become a better leader. People waste tons of money on comfort and entertainment. While there isn't anything inherently wrong with spending money on entertainment, a higher priority should be to spend money on personal development. The Bible not only says people can give an offering, but also that we can be an offering. It says in Romans 12:1, "Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering" (The Message).

**4. We can invest in his service equity fund.**

When we teach about money, we should be teaching people that one of the ways we serve others is by helping in times of financial need. The church should develop a reputation for responding to crises financially when we take a special offering after a tragedy. And it should happen in behind-the-scenes ways as well when members of a small group help another member during a difficult season. In the Bible there was a church in Greece that did this. They heard about another church that was in trouble and going through a famine so they gave them some money. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 8:3-4, “They gave as much as they were able and even more than they could afford. No one told them to do it. They pleaded with us to let them share with us in this service [that’s the Service Fund] for God’s people” (NCV). The Bible says this in Proverbs 11:24, “The world of the generous gets larger and larger. The world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.” One aspect of discipleship is moving people from selfishness to generosity by instructing and inspiring people to give to others. When we did the 40 Days of Community campaign, Saddleback Church decided we would feed every homeless person in Orange County three meals a day for 40 days. Then we found out there were 42,000 people who were homeless. The members of Saddleback collected over two million pounds of food and then 9,200 volunteers collected, sorted, and distributed it.

**5. We can invest in his global fund.**

Luke 16:9 is probably one of the most misunderstood verses in the entire Bible. Jesus says this, “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves so that when it is gone you will be welcomed in eternal dwellings.” What in the world does he mean by that? I'm convinced Jesus wanted people to use their wealth to share the good news of Jesus, to expand the family of God, to enlarge heaven's population. Churches can give people opportunities to purchase resources to share their faith, to give to missionaries, to go on mission trips or sponsor the trips others are going on, and to support the evangelistic outreach capacity of the local church. God is looking for people who will care about the whole world as much as He does. Your reward and your responsibility in heaven—not your salvation but your reward and responsibility for eternity is going to be based on how you manage what God put in your hands while you’re here on earth. It would be foolish and shortsighted to spend it all on myself now in light of eternity. The best time for people to start investing in eternity is now. And the best time for you to teach and lead your congregation to embrace this life of generosity is now. So where do you need to start?

Recent Articles

Jesus Is Praying for You, Pastor

“Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:34 (NIV)Pastor, before you preach your first sermon this week, counsel that couple, or walk into yet another meeting, take a breath and remember this: Jesus is already praying for you.He knows everything you’re about to face. He’s not surprised by the weight of ministry. He knows the email waiting in your inbox, the hospital visit coming on Wednesday, the spiritual attack you can’t quite name yet—and he’s already interceding.That’s what it means to be omniscient. He knows the past, present, and future—all at once. And in his perfect knowledge, he’s lifting you up in prayer.The night before the cross, Jesus told Peter, “I have prayed that you will not lose your faith! Help your brothers be stronger when you come back to me” (Luke 22:32 NCV). Jesus knew Peter was about to blow it. He knew the shame and self-doubt that would follow. But he prayed for Peter in advance—and he prayed with a view toward restoration and future ministry.In the same way, Jesus has already prayed you through what’s ahead.You may feel like you're running on fumes today. Maybe your heart is heavy from burdens your people can’t see. But Jesus sees. Jesus knows. And Jesus is praying.The Son of God is at the right hand of the Father, interceding for you (Romans 8:34). That truth alone can carry you through anything you’ll face this week.You’re not leading alone. You’re not preaching alone. You’re not suffering alone.Jesus is with you—and he’s praying for you.

The Lies Your People Believe—and How to Counter Them

Pastor, every week when you stand before your congregation, you’re not just preaching to believers—you’re preaching into a world filled with competing worldviews. People bring those views into your church every Sunday. They shape how your members see relationships, success, money, purpose, and even God.Worldview matters. It’s not just academic or philosophical. People live their lives based on their worldview—whether they realize it or not. If you want to see transformation in your people, you must help them change how they view the world. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (NIV).Here are six of the most common worldviews that are shaping the people in your pews—and how God’s Word responds to each one.1. The one with the most toys wins.This is materialism. It’s the belief that life is about acquiring more. More stuff. More money. More success.But Jesus said, "Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions" (Luke 12:15 NIV). Real life isn’t about what you own—it’s about who owns you. The greatest things in life aren’t things.2. I’ve got to think of myself first.This is the worldview of individualism. It’s the mindset behind many cultural slogans: “Have it your way.” “Obey your thirst.” “You deserve it.”It’s a self-centered life that destroys marriages, divides churches, and corrodes communities.Jesus taught the opposite: "If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it" (Matthew 16:25 NLT).True life comes from giving yourself away—to God and to others.3. Do what feels good.This is hedonism—the belief that the goal of life is to feel good, be comfortable, and have fun.But Scripture is clear. The Message paraphrase says: "Are you addicted to thrills? What an empty life! The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied" (Proverbs 21:17).Chasing pleasure doesn’t satisfy. It leaves people empty. God created us for more than comfort—he created us for a calling.4. Whatever works for you.This is pragmatism. In today’s world, the only “wrong” seems to be telling someone else they’re wrong. Truth becomes subjective. People say, “If it works for you, that’s fine.”But the Bible warns us: "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12 NIV).Truth isn’t whatever works. It’s what God says is right.5. God doesn’t exist.This is naturalism, or atheism. It claims that life is an accident, that there is no Creator and no ultimate purpose.But Paul writes: "Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God" (Romans 1:20 NLT).Creation points to a Creator. If there’s no God, life has no meaning. But God made you—and everyone you preach to—for a purpose.6. You are your own god.This is humanism—a worldview that says we are in control of our own destiny. It’s behind the belief that we’re the masters of our fate and the captains of our souls.But Romans 1:25 says, "They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator" (NIV).Every human being is wired to worship. If we don’t worship God, we’ll worship something else—even ourselves.A Biblical WorldviewAll of these worldviews have consequences. And most people don’t even realize how deeply influenced they are by them.There’s only one worldview that leads to the life God has planned for you: a biblical worldview. The biblical worldview says: God created us for his purposes. We are not our own. We exist for his glory.Pastor, if you want to change people’s lives, help them change their worldview first. When their minds are renewed, their hearts will follow.

Take a Day Off: Why Pastors Need a Weekly Sabbath

Pastor, when was the last time you took a full day off? Not a conference. Not a ministry retreat. Not a family vacation that turned into an emergency counseling session. A real day off.You spend your week meeting the needs of others. It’s easy to put your own needs—and your family’s needs—last. But God commands something different. He calls you to rest. There are lots of reasons you need a weekly Sabbath. Here are just a few:1. God Commands ItGod has more to say about taking a day off than about murder or adultery. The fourth commandment is the longest of the Ten Commandments, and it's the only one many pastors routinely ignore.“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you” (Exodus 20:8–10 NLT).God was serious about this. And he backed it up with his own example: "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work" (Genesis 2:2 NIV). Was God tired? Of course not. He doesn’t get tired. But he was modeling a principle.2. You Were Made for ItJesus said, "The Sabbath was made to benefit man, and not man to benefit the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27 TLB). You weren’t made to run nonstop. Your body, mind, and soul need regular rest and replenishment.If you don’t schedule a Sabbath, your stress and exhaustion will schedule one for you.Every seven days, you need to recharge physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The Sabbath is God’s gift to help you avoid burnout in a stress-filled calling.3. It Doesn’t Have to Be SundayYou might be thinking, "Rick, I’m a pastor. Sundays are not exactly restful!"That’s okay. Your Sabbath doesn’t have to be Sunday. But it does need to be one day every week—a day that is different from the others. Set it apart. Rest, refocus, and reconnect with God and your family."It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night . . . for God gives rest to his loved ones" (Psalm 127:2 NLT).4. You’re Not That ImportantWhen you refuse to take a Sabbath, you’re sending a message: "I’m too important to rest. Everything depends on me."Pastor, you need to resign as general manager of the universe. It will keep spinning without you.The truth is, workaholism in ministry is often driven by pride, guilt, or insecurity. You think ministry won’t happen without you. But it will—and it might even be healthier.5. Your Family Needs ItYour family needs more than your sermons. They need your time. They need your laughter. They need your attention when you’re not distracted by the next thing on your to-do list.For years, Monday was my day off. Monday night was family night. We didn’t do anything elaborate—we just enjoyed each other. That weekly rhythm shaped our family.You don’t just teach your kids values; you model them. And one of the most important lessons you can model is this: God designed us to rest.Take the First Step This WeekYou don’t need a sabbatical or a two-week vacation. You need a Sabbath. One day. Every week.Start this week. Protect that day. Don’t let anything steal it. It may be the most important ministry decision you make.

The Pastor’s Guide to Difficult Personalities

By Rick WarrenMinistry would be easy if it weren’t for the people!But as every pastor knows, one of the greatest challenges in ministry is dealing with difficult people. They come in all shapes and sizes, but they have one thing in common: They drain your energy, distract your focus, and derail your momentum.Jesus had to deal with difficult people throughout his ministry. And if you’re going to follow his example, you need to learn how to deal with them too.Here are four practical strategies Jesus modeled for handling difficult people.1. Realize You Can’t Please Everyone"By myself I can do nothing. . . . I seek not to please myself but him who sent me" (John 5:30 NIV).Even God doesn’t please everyone. One person prays for rain, another for sunshine. You’re not God—and you’re not called to be a people-pleaser. Your job is to please the Lord.If you let other people’s demands drive your decisions, you’ll burn out fast. Instead, stay focused on God’s calling for your life and ministry.2. Refuse to Play Their Game"But Jesus knew their evil motives. 'You hypocrites!' he said. 'Why are you trying to trap me?'" (Matthew 22:18 NLT).Difficult people often try to manipulate you with guilt, fear, or anger. But Jesus never fell for their traps. He responded with wisdom, truth, and clarity.You don’t have to meet every expectation. You can say no. And when correction is needed, speak the truth in love. Some people aren’t interested in solutions—they just want to argue. Don’t get caught in their game.3. Don’t Retaliate"You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury. . . . But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also" (Matthew 5:38-39 NLT).Retaliation gives up control. When you strike back, you’re no longer responding—you’re reacting. And that means you’re letting someone else set the tone for your life.Instead, take the high road. Respond with humility, patience, and grace. That doesn’t mean you never set boundaries—it means you do it with the right spirit.4. Pray for Them"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" (Matthew 5:44 NLT).Prayer is the game-changer. You can’t change a troublemaker by ignoring them, retaliating, or giving in. But when you team up love and prayer, you create space for God to work a miracle. That’s what Jesus did—and it’s what he calls you to do too.Difficult People Come in Many FormsYou’ve likely encountered these personalities in your church:The Sherman Tank – Runs over anyone who disagreesThe Megaphone – Dominates every conversationThe Bubble Buster – Deflates every new ideaThe Volcano – Explodes with angerThe Crybaby – Constantly complains and poutsThe Nitpicker – Obsesses over minor flawsThe Space Cadet – Lives in a different realityYou may not be able to avoid these personalities, but you can learn to respond with wisdom, grace, and strength.Make this your goal: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18 NIV).You won’t always get it right. But as you grow in these Christ-like responses, you’ll free up energy for what really matters: shepherding the flock God has entrusted to you.

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