Financial preparation for ministry may possibly be the hardest step in ministry. Especially when it comes to examining your current lifestyle. In America, we live in a lot of luxuries other countries may not be able to afford. We build credit to buy things we don’t have the physical money to pay for. It is a common practice to store up earthly treasures and this idealism adjusts to the amount of income one makes. 

It’s hard to take a step back and examine just how unnecessary some of the luxuries are. For instance, a boat, two cars, zero turn lawnmowers, duplicate copies of tools, and so much more. We become accustomed to eating out every day and don’t budget what we have. It’s so easy to fall trap to this idealism. That’s why preparation in finances are so vital to God’s call to ministry. 

Throughout our journey, we have fallen prey to this idealism of building good credit to buy things we may not need. What once fit a “budget” can now hinder the calling to ministry. Throughout this realization, I have decided it best to downsize our assets while planning to advance His mission. It’s never easy to adjust to a spiritual calling when you’ve been so accustomed to an idealism. 

I personally think God calls us to ministry after a secular vocation for the sole purpose of realization. God provides in various ways and it is so easy to lose sight of all of His blessings when you accumulate possessions. This journey in life is so short and what matters most is what we bring to Jesus. Godly faith in finance is probably the hardest thing to give to Jesus in such a “get what you want now” culture. 

These next few months will be hard. Adjusting to His call. Preparing for ministry, buying less and giving more. God doesn’t call us to be hoarders of much things, but instead to be giving and generous in what we have. When we owe a surplus of debt, we hinder how much we can serve in His mission financially. It took me years to figure this out, but we are ready and committed to seek His plan and follow through. 

As we steady on through this financial journey, please be in prayer for us. I will also say, any financial gifts given to us throughout this porcess will not go towards debt, but instead invested for future missions. Please continue to give so that we may serve! We cannot fulfill our call to missions without your extension of genorosity. 

Verses to consider – 

Proverbs 22:7
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Ecclesiastes 5:10
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Acts 20:35
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Deuteronomy 16:17
Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.

Luke 12:34
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Luke 14:28
“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”

Luke 16:11
“If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?”

Mark 8:36
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”

Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”