by Jim, Deacon of Finance
What a new experience for me this is in being responsible for the financial accountability of Chatham Bible Church. I have been learning the software program Chatham uses to track its finances called QuickBooks. I do have a few more reports to make to be caught up on the work involved in this ministry.
There is a large group of people involved in the various aspects of the financial responsibilities, which makes my job not as difficult. This includes Joe, previous Deacon of Finance who is teaching me about QuickBooks and other areas of importance in this ministry even though he is no longer deacon; Cliff and Ruth, who handle payroll and giving records; Scott, who writes checks for bills; Fred, who writes the checks to missionaries each month; and counters Phyllis, Donna, Sheila, Carol, David, Wade and Jerry. Thank you for your individual efforts!
All of these people being involved with the finances of Chatham remind me of the passage in Exodus 18, where Moses’ father-in-law visits him and sees how Moses was judging the people from morning until evening, and wearing himself and the people out in the process. Jethro suggested that he should select “able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain” and use them to distribute the work of judging Israel.
Joe recently suggested that I should move some of the checking account money to the savings account, as we are building a surplus. This is a good thing, considering the time we are at in the history of our nation, with a continuing recession. God has provided funds for us in the spread of the Gospel at home and abroad, for benevolence ministries and much more, even during the time we had a much larger staff when Randy and Brent were associate pastors at Chatham along with the long time staff of Pastor David and Pastor Al. God is worthy of our trust.
Much of what I have already written seems to suggest things about our church and our nation regarding financial accountability and the type of character men and women should possess in any government. I will refrain from speaking more on this, but I wish to point out a quality we each should possess, and more about the Lord we serve. Joshua 1:7-9 (verse 9 quoted) says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (NASB)
Psalm 2:8-9 says (God the Father says to the Son), “Ask of me and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, you shall shatter them like earthenware.” (NASB)
May the church of God be of good courage in advancing the kingdom of God.
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