THE METHODS FOR EKKLESIA GROWTH
LESSON NO. 45 CHEERFUL GIVING METHOD: BUILDING THE EKKLESIA FINANCE  

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” -2 Corinthians 9:7

The Ekklesia is a divine government being led by God’s chosen man, the Pastor. We are here as God’s people to fulfill His divine purpose and that is to gather people for His name. We have the divine mandate to PREACH, PROPAGATE and PROCLAIM the KINGDOM OF GOD ( Matthew 28:19-20 ). And we can do it by God’s grace and power upon us. He has given us the Holy Spirit, His wisdom, grace and the mechanics on how we can effectively discharge our divine duties and lead faithful lives. Today’s lesson will focus on how an ekklesia should be run and how all its financial resources should be well dispensed and accounted for.

MESSAGE

A. The Ekklesia like any other institution, humanly speaking is run and governed by these three important things:

1. Able and Honest Leadership (Exodus 18:21 ). The Bible admonishes and promotes this kind of leadership in His ekklesia. He set the requirements and qualifications that should be found among His chosen and appointed Pastors, the present day Overseers and Administrators of His Ekklesia. The Bible speaks of them as leaders who are: able, fear God, men of truth and hating covetousness.

2. Loyal and sincere followers (Phil. 3:17 ). The Bible speaks here of believers who are doggedly loyal and sincere followers of the Lord Jesus Christ and His appointed Pastor. They will remain faithful to His teachings and example and lead their lives as God’s people whose conversation, hearts and eyes are fixed only upon Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.

3. Financial and Material Resources (1 Cor. 9:7- 11 ). The ekklesia needs logistics practically speaking to go about her ministries and personnel. The Bible teaches that God’s people should take care of the financial needs of His ekklesia through their generous and liberal giving. If all God’s people can be cheerful givers, the Great Commission and all our ministries will greatly prosper and reach their full potential.

B. The following PRINCIPLES must be taught to our people so they will understand the importance of building the finance of our ekklesia and become partners with their Pastor in his ministry:

1. The Pastor as the most ABLE, HONEST AND CHIEF STEWARD (1 Cor. 4:2 ). The greatest responsibility and accountability fall on this man:

1.1. Is he a cheerful giver? He should be the example.

1.2. Can he be trusted with God’s money and all the finances of the Ekklesia? The Bible requires him to have a solid and strong trait or character that of “hating covetousness.”

1.3. Does his lifestyle and standard show prudence [clever in the management of practical affairs] and simplicity? He must not be below standard [otherwise he will not be respected] or above anyone else [that he becomes proud, loud, showy and arrogant].

1.4. Does he know and follow wise and godly financial management and stewardship?

1.5. How about his own family?

2. Ekklesia Accounting and Financial Accountability. Rules and Principles to follow:

2.1. Every penny should be accounted for. There should be faithful and transparent accounting of all revenues, receipts and disbursements.

2.2. Accountants ( with working knowledge of accountancy, honest, faithful and loyal ) should be appointed [must 2 to 3 persons]. They should be able to provide accurate financial reports and statements.

2.3. The ekklesia has all the rights to know where their offerings go not that for anyone to question the integrity of the system but for the ekklesia to see the blessings of God and the needs of His work. Cheerful givers are always glad to hear reports of God’s blessings and where they can be of more help to the Ekklesia and their Pastor. While covetous and materialistic members always question and even doubt the finances of the ekklesia ( 1 Tim.6:3-6, 10 ) .

2.4. The Pastor should have chosen men and women around him to be his financial base and help him make decision on financial matters.

2.5. The Pastor must have the maturity, good judgment and discretion in all his financial and moral responsibility.

3. The established doctrine on Cheerful Giving ( separate lesson ).