Setting up for action

Have you ever thought about this truth:

In a leadership role, the culture of your organisation will reflect your values, beliefs and behaviours.

Think about that for a moment. Your values and beliefs will shape your behaviours. Your behaviours will set the example for your teams that they will follow. These behaviours form the patterns of behaviour within the organisation.

Your heart attitude towards money as a leader will impact the way you deal with money as an organisation. You’ve identified what needs to change in your heart and have taken some time to reflect on that. Now think about some possible actions you can take in your organisation. In the next activity you will see the same list with some ideas for action. Take time to review those and then set some goals for action.

Here is the list of topics and verses again with ideas for action.

Click on each heading to read the ideas for action

The concept of stewardship emphasises responsible and faithful management of resources entrusted to us by God.

“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” – 1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)

Ideas for action:

Are your buildings and assets clean and in good order? If not, get together with your team and do a good clean up.
Take time ensure you are staying on mission so that you are not spending funds on work that does advance your mission. See our course on mission drift here.
Do you have assets that are old and inefficient and so costing you in terms of you time? Consider how you might make better use of your time with newer assets.

Practice transparency in all financial dealings, providing clear information about how funds are used. Accountability ensures that leaders and staff are responsible for their actions.

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” – Proverbs 11:3 (NIV)

Ideas for action:

Start by being open with your finances with the team. Let your team see your monthly financial reports against budget.
If your Board do not already ask you hard questions on your financial reports, ask them to do so. Leaders must be accountable to their Boards.
Create space for your team to talk openly about their finances, and to share needs with one another.

Develop a culture of generosity, both within the organisation and among donors.

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

Ideas for action:

Grateful and cheerful giving is a biblical principle that can inspire donors to support your mission. Take time to listen to your team as to how you could more generously express God’s heart to the communities you serve.
Generosity begins at home. Consider ways in which you could create a culture of generosity within your team, such as fundraising together for someone in the team who is struggling, being generous with your time or being generous with listening.
Think of ways in which you could truly bless the communities you serve in an impactful way, whether through gifts or giving your time.

Effective financial management includes planning and budgeting to maximise the use of your funds.

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?” – Luke 14:28 (NKJV)

Ideas for action:

Set clear financial goals and create budgets to ensure resources are allocated efficiently.
Don’t just replicate your budget for next year based on this year. Take time out to review your strategic goals for next year and set your budget accordingly.
– Allow your faith to rise in your budget planning. Remember whose you are!

The Bible advises against incurring excessive debt. Strive to avoid accumulating debt that could hinder your mission.

“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” – Proverbs 22:7 (ESV)

Ideas for action:

If you are in debit consider asking a debt counsellor to help you plan your way out of debt.
Start to reduce your debt month by month. Cashflow planning will help you save something each month to pay off debt.
If you are considering taking on debt, think and pray about it very carefully before you do. Make sure to discuss with your Board first.

Pay fair wages for your employees and volunteers and provide for the well-being of those who serve the organisation.

“Behold, the wages of the labourers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.” – James 5:4 (ESV)

Ideas for action:

Plan to pay your staff an annual bonus or gift as a way of honouring their commitment to the mission.
Check your pay levels against standards in the region or against other similar organisations.
Set up a staff support fund that will assist anyone on the team in a time of crisis.

Set aside reserves or contingency funds to handle unexpected financial challenges.

“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” – Proverbs 6:6-8 (ESV)

Ideas for action:

Set aside a small amount every month and put it into a high interest savings account.
Aim to have 3 to 6 months worth of operational expenses saved. Include the number of months covered in your monthly financial report.
Have a plan of how you will adjust your expenses should you hit a crisis. Draw up a crisis budget that you keep in case.

Guard against greed and the pursuit of wealth at the expense of your mission. Maintain a focus on the organisation’s purpose.

“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.’” – Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

Ideas for action:

As the leader of the organisation this area is vital for you to be on top of. Share your personal finanes with your Board or with a mentor who will challenge you in this area.
Check the ratio of your salary against the staff average. If there is a large discrepancy do a salary review.
Keep a check on your heart and whether money has any hold over you. Ask your mentor or Board to ask you regularly how you are doing in this area.

Seek guidance through prayer and discernment when making significant financial decisions.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Ideas for action:

When you are dealing with financial decisions, take to time to pause and pray together. Allow God to speak into your financial situation.
Don’t just wait for a crisis to pray. Spend time on a weekly basis in prayer for your organisation and for your finances.
Listen. God speaks. God wants to stir your heart. So take time out to listen.

Ensure accurate and honest accounting of funds, adhering to the principle of being faithful in managing even the smallest amounts.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” – Luke 16:10 (NIV)

Ideas for action:

Keep reminding everyone in the organisation that all funds received are not yours.
Ensure you have good internal controls in place so that your accounting for your finances is accurate. See our course on internal controls here Health check your financial processes.
If you don’t already, have an audit done by an external company so that the integrity and accuracy of your finances can be checked.

Setting up for action

In a leadership role, the culture of your organisation will reflect your values, beliefs and behaviours.

1. Steward resources well

“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” – 1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)

2. Live with transparency and accountability

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” – Proverbs 11:3 (NIV)

3. Encourage generous giving

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

4. Plan and budget thoroughly

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?” – Luke 14:28 (NKJV)

5. Avoid debt

“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” – Proverbs 22:7 (ESV)

6. Ensure fair wages and care for workers

“Behold, the wages of the labourers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.” – James 5:4 (ESV)

7. Be prepared for emergencies

“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” – Proverbs 6:6-8 (ESV)

8. Avoid greed

“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.’” – Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

9. Seek God’s Guidance

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

10. Account for every penny

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” – Luke 16:10 (NIV)