Don't Spend a Penny! Don't Even Ask! Be Creative!

At times all churches come to a point in the year when they might say "Budget Freeze." "Don't spend a penny - don't even ask - Be Creative."

When you are told this a few things can happen, with one being discouragement.  I thought I would write on ways to keep your head up when there is no money to spend in your ministry.

1.  Money does not keep people- Relationships Do:
The key to ministry is not how much money can you spend to draw in people, but are you spending your time in the community working relationships.  People respond to those they have a relationship with.  Whether you have money or not, the #1 key to your ministry should be relationships and a "Budget Freeze" can not stop that!!!

2.  Be Creative
Creativity does not necessarily mean spend a lot of money.  It means dream big and figure out how it can happen with the resources you have.  We sometimes never dream creatively simply because we don't have money!!!  Shame on us!  Thing Big, Dream Big, and Plan Big!!!  I believe you can pull off almost anything on a shoe string budget!!!  Go for it!

3.  Don't let Discouragement set in
Normally when you hear "Budget Freeze" you get discouraged or think the church is going under.  I believe the devil puts those thoughts in our head!  A "Budget Freeze" is being a good steward of the money God's entrusted to us and it keeps you getting paid at times so you should be blessed at the end of the day.  Don't let discouragement set into your life and keep you from doing what God has called you to do.

4.  Don't analyze the organization to the point where you are just mad.
"If they would not have done that... then we would have money."  That might be true but you are to follow the leadership of your pastor as long as he does not force you to do something outside of God's character.  Don't sit there and whine and cry and blame those on the staff you serve with. Work hard and do what God called you to do and let God take care of the rest!  Always look at the positive side of things and never the negative!

5.  Obey the "Budget Freeze"
Do not use the phrase during a freeze, "I will just ask for forgiveness later."  That could be seen as a lack of loyalty!!!

At the end of the day, we are called to the "people business" so don't get lost in money.  Do what you are called to do and let God take care of the rest.

Remain faithful in sharing the gospel, disciple students, watching kids be baptized and getting students plugged into small groups and let God take care of the finances!!!