12. Privately, ask your staff and lay leadership of the church to set a good example in their own giving.
We have no right to ask others to do what we ourselves are not doing.
I’ve told on these pages—but enjoy the memory, if you cannot tell!—of the time our deacons were constantly on my case about the lagging finances. So, one day I had the bookkeeper print out the record of each deacon’s contributions year-to-date and put in a sealed envelope with his name on it. No one else saw the figures. That night, in the monthly meeting, I emphasized the need for leaders to set the example for the congregation.
I told them we had to earn the right to gripe. Then, we passed out the envelopes.
“Open yours and see how you are doing. Then, you decide if you have a right to complain. If you do, let me have it with both barrels!”
The rest of the meeting was unusually quiet, and two or three of them never forgave me. Personally, I love it.
(Note to pastors: It might be just as effective to tell your leaders what I did instead of actually doing it yourself. But do as the Lord leads.)
13. Do nothing in the flesh. Wait on the Lord.
A wise shepherd of God’s flock will seek God’s will and study the word and wait on the Lord. He will seek the counsel of the Lord’s most faithful servants and stand with the leadership of the congregation.
He will bless those doing well and be courageous toward the ones who are not.
Remember to love the church. When we honor the Lord’s people, we honor Him.
