What should we do since we learned the elders are misspending the Lord’s money?
Question:
Hi!
I have read and searched through your question and answer section to make sure this question hasn't been asked before, so I hope it has not.
My husband is a preacher for the church for many years. Recently, he has learned certain information in regard to how our elders are spending the Lord's money, which is collected on the first day of the week. Without going into detail, I will just say that their hearts are not right to spend the Lord's money. They are not being good stewards of His money. We know now, for reasons including this, that we will not be staying at this congregation.
The questions I have for you are: Is it our responsibility to see that our contribution on Sunday is spent wisely (or as far as we can tell)? My husband has thought it might be better to give a very small amount on Sunday, and the remainder that we usually give, to a missionary. But would we be giving as we have prospered on the first day of the week?
We will leave as soon as we possibly can, but we want to do what the Bible says in the meantime. I hope you can give some insight into the situation.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Answer:
Too often today people view elders as a board of directors to a corporation instead of shepherds of God's people. Elders lead and guide the congregation into making good decisions, but the elders are not the congregation. See: The Work of Elders Is the "Critical" Matter
The spending of the Lord's money is something the elders watch over on the congregation's behalf, but the congregation should know where the money is being spent. There should be monthly postings of the church's accounts. The congregation should be invited to regular budget meetings so they can hear what is going on and make suggestions about how the money is spent. While this won't prevent all monetary problems, it will drastically reduce them.
One of the duties of a preacher is to rebuke elders when they are not following the Scriptures. "Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear" (I Timothy 5:19-20). If the funds are being misspent, then evidence of that along with Scriptural reasons need to be present. It might lead to the dismissal of the preacher, but at least the truth is brought out into the open for the congregation to discuss.
