Why I No Longer Dread Preaching About Money, Part 4

I used to dread preaching about money. Not anymore.

Here are a few reasons I’ve already discussed:

1. I’m certain that money is one of God’s main competitors.
2. I’m convinced money is a spiritual thermometer and thermostat.
3. I’ve seen that people respond to being challenged in this area.
4. I’ve witnessed massive spiritual growth in people who have started to honor God financially.

Here’s a final reason:

5. I’m aware of how much money is required for strong ministry in a growing church.

Ministry costs money. It costs money to:

• Buy Bibles to give away.
• Rent meeting rooms.
• Buy a sound board, speakers, microphones, gaffer’s tape, etc.
• Provide coffee and refreshments.
• Keep the room comfortable with heating or cooling.
• Free up pastors to preach, lead, and equip.
• Print signage that directs people where to go.
• Buy changing tables and toys for kids environments.
• Create life-changing student camp experiences.
• Organize mission trips.

You could go on and on. Ministry costs money.

And, in a North American context, strong ministry in a growing church costs more money.

Common sense people understand this. In his helpful e-book, 39 Things Pastors Need to Know About Money, Michael Lukaszewski makes the point that even unchurched people understand this:

Unchurched people may not know Jesus, but they are not stupid. They understand that it takes money to run an organization. They know you can’t write “Pay to the Order of Faith” on a check. Unchurched people appreciate honesty, whether you are talking about faith, prayer or money.

As an inexperienced pastor, prior to church planting, I underestimated how much money is required to plant a church and grow a church. But seeing the real costs made me less sheepish about talking about — and asking for — money.

Now, pastoring an established church that is looking for land and contemplating future permanent facilities, I really see how much money is required.

For instance, do you know how much money it takes to construct each parking space?

$5,000.

Crazy, right? Build a church for 1,000 people and you’re investing $1.5 million into just parking.

But you wouldn’t go to a church (or business or restaurant or park) that had zero parking spaces.

Strong ministry in a growing church requires a lot of money. So don’t feel bad about preaching about it.