Breaking Down Financial Barriers in the Church
We were new to the city and discerning which church to join. Hope sprouted in our hearts that this could be a good step forward in finding a church home. But we didn’t exactly have money to go out to eat. Travis was in medical school so we didn’t have a source of income and were on a tight budget.
We weren’t sure if the pastor was inviting us—his treat—or if we’d have to pick up the tab. Either way was understandable but our finances limited our options. Travis knew he had some money left over on a Visa gift card. We had to ensure we didn’t exceed the small amount remaining. And as we looked at the menu, it became clear we wouldn’t be eating breakfast but buying a snack for our toddler for this pastoral rendezvous.
Living on a tight budget is challenging. But when others within the church community fail to see the barriers preventing unhindered connection, it becomes problematic.
We didn’t have the budget to pay for a babysitter to attend adults-only events. We couldn’t afford to join groups after church for a bite to eat. And sending an email about needing a scholarship to cover the cost of another book for a discussion group grew tiring. Sometimes I opted out rather than asking for help yet again.
We were regularly bombarded with money-based community—and feeling embarrassed by how hard it was for us to participate. But the church should be a place where money doesn’t impact relationships.
HAVING ALL THINGS IN COMMON
In Acts 4, we see something beautiful about the new church: “no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common” (4:32, HCSB). Jesus had changed everything—including how individuals within the church interacted with each other. “There was not a needy person among them” (4:34) because everyone was giving what they had to support one another.
What is most startling isn’t that wealthier Christians gave money to help those in need, but they were willing to lose some of their own economic standing to do so. Some house and land owners sold their property so that they could give it to the church community (4:34). This meant they no longer possessed that financial security and, for some, planted these early Christians on the same field as those who didn’t own property. This is being all in for Jesus.
This type of radical giving wasn’t mandated but an overflow of these early Christians’ love for the Lord. In fact, one takeaway from the deceit of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) is that our heart attitude matters.
Generosity isn’t about an amount but a heart joyfully giving out of love for the Lord and others. Generosity can extend beyond financial giving and encompass how we interact with others regarding money.
SHOWING RESPECT TO EACH OTHER
As the body of Christ, our churches should strive to “outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom. 12:10, HCSB), including how we shape community within our fellowships. We can’t know everyone’s financial situation within the church. But generosity focused on showing honor to all by how we build community is essential.
Having all things in common doesn’t necessarily mean we must sell all of our property and give the proceeds to the church. But simple shifts can show honor to those who may have a tight budget or are unsure if they can pay rent this month. We can have all things in common with others by eliminating the stress of money from the equation in building relationships within the church.
Activities based upon money shouldn’t be an obstacle to participating in church life. Instead of asking people to disclose their need for help to purchase a book for a study, ask those who are able to contribute to drop money in a designated box over the coming weeks. This way no one feels singled out. This approach honors the one who can’t financially contribute at the moment while allowing others who can a chance to help cover remaining costs.
Rather than inviting someone to join you at a restaurant for a meal, invite them over to your home for a meal or tea. Or make it clear in the invitation that you’d really love to take them out for coffee as a treat on you.
An intentional effort to be mindful of activities that overlap with a financial cost and how to minimize the stress for those with limited funds communicates respect and love.
WELCOMING OTHERS IN
Eight years later, my husband and I relocated to a new state and are on the opposite side of the financial spectrum. But when we visited a new church, the pastor didn’t invite us out to eat. Instead he invited us over to his house for a meal—with others from the church. This brought us into church community with much more ease.
As we desire to build community with others within our churches, we can welcome people in by finding ways to connect that don’t focus on money. We can show honor to our brothers and sisters by finding ways to grow Christ-centered relationships without finances cluttering the path.
And as we show honor and generosity in this area, the gospel will shine brightly because economic barriers aren’t hindering our relationships to encourage one another on in our faith.