Keeping the main thing the main thing

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8 (ESV)

We have many discussions at CIF with churches about the use of debt, good stewardship, budgeting and the like. Sometimes we hear church leaders say they are debt averse, meaning they are uncomfortable with borrowing as a tool for ministry.

But they may not phrase it in that way. Believers have said that debt is something that people and organizations can be “saddled with” and the borrower is slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7).

Debt without stewardship vs. debt for the Kingdom

In society, we can point to many examples of debts that are taken on irresponsibly, in desperation and with a lack of wise planning for the future.

In contrast, at CIF we always talk about church loans in light of stewardship. What are the real risks and what are the rewards that can be gained by borrowing to build or purchase a property?

These are big decisions to make and this raises other questions: What guides a church’s thought process? What is the specific calling and local mission of this church? How do the Great Commandment and the Great Commission come into play?

Loving God above all else, with all the heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37) and making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18) are top priorities for most every church we talk to.

We are not a church, but we support churches as they pursue these broad goals. We give financial insights from a shared biblical perspective.

The ‘time value’ of money

It is exciting to see churches that are saving for their building needs. They know these are one of the tools used to fulfill the two “greats” that God is calling them too. At the same time, we also know about a principle called the “time value” of money.

Essentially, over time the value of a dollar continues to decrease. So even as churches are saving, it will take more dollars to meet that building need in five years, two years or even one year in certain circumstances. It’s often hard for the rate of savings to keep pace with costs for renovation or expansion. So, by saying no amount of debt is acceptable, the church can end up chasing but never reaching its goal.

There is another cost that’s not often quantified in dollars and cents but carries an eternal value – the human lives and souls in the community who remain unreached, unsaved and undiscipled.

Eternal truth and current realities

God’s Word and salvation never change, but the U.S. has become a consumer society. If people don’t have a place to sit at your church, they may not return.

We have found that when a worship center or sanctuary reaches 80% capacity, most people will say it’s full. The same is true for parking. People who are seeking a church may not even set foot in the door when it’s hard to find a parking spot.

As a worker needs tools to do a job, the church also needs tools to do ministry.

Is a church’s primary goal to be debt free? That is a good thing, right? But is it the main thing? What about fulfilling the Great Commandment and Great Commission?

We might act differently as individuals

Many of us, as believers, use debt individually as a tool in our own lives to pursue something greater, to provide for a need and prepare for the future.

A couple of the most common examples are taking out a mortgage to buy a home and borrowing for college in pursuit of a career.

We know that most homes appreciate in value over time and that college for careers chosen wisely can be rewarding.

There are always opportunities and risks. We help churches to shine by taking a thorough look at both. Churches expand the Kingdom. We are providing faith-based financial solutions that serve Kingdom expansion.

The trust and partnerships we have enjoyed through the years are a blessing. Thank you for engaging with our ministry.