Who's Counting the Beans?

Lee Iacocca calls the "Bean Counters". People who handle the money for the organization. He often shared in his book how frustrating Bean Counters were to people with vision. Sometimes you need to grow even when the money is tight.

The Church is known for putting to death many great soul-winning projects because of fear they won't have enough money. How foolish! I mean, who do we serve??? Meanwhile the world takes chances and risks necessary to do great things in the name of industry!

Should we not to the same in the Name of Christ?

Paul is sending a couple guys to collect the money for the mission to Jerusalem in 2 Corinthians 8-9. He's writing ahead to tell them who they should expect. The guys he picks to carry the money tells us a great deal about what kind of person should handle the money in the kingdom of God.

2 Corinthians 8:16–19 (ESV) But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. 17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. 18 With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. 19 And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.

Paul sends Titus. Someone who was known for eagerness and willingness. He wasn't forced or begged to do this service for the church. Titus was a disciple of Paul's, a true partner in the mission. He's an obvious choice.

The second person isn't named and that is for a reason. Paul would rather explain his character. All they need to know is that this guy is well known for preaching the Gospel. He had something every church bean-counter should have... a passion for souls. 

People get funny when it comes to money in the church. Committees, boards, budgets and meetings are all great, but if there is no passion for souls, watch out! A church is not meant to hoard and keep money. It it created to be a vehicle through which money can be used to reach the lost! 

Paul was brilliant here. Sending a soul winner with the stash of money made sure the money wouldn't be spent frivolously. Because when this man would have arrived to Jerusalem, there is no doubt he would have preached evangelistically reminding those saints that money is to be used not simply for needs, but for the greatest need ever - to present Christ to the nations!

May we, the body of Christ in whatever church, denomination or legal structure of leadership grasp this kind of heart in handling money. To put our funds where our faith is. And plant financial seeds of faith in our communities so that all may hear the GOOD NEWS of Christ.

PRAYER:

Father, help us see money as a tool and not a treasure. Give me a heart to sow seeds of generosity shrewdly as a good manager of Your possessions. And give me a passion for reaching souls with the Gospel of Christ. In Jesus' Name, Amen.