The 9:11 Question
“Since we have invested in you spiritually, isn’t it right for you to invest in us financially?”
So many churches invest in things other than apostolic church planters – some even working off unfathomable debts for things like parking lots and new foyers. One church in a major U.S. city purchased a parking lot for 80 million dollars!?!!? Sounds like a scene out of an Austin Powers movie! These are not inherently bad things – they are just not given much precedent in the earliest Church.
Many missionaries are left barely holding their bills together, while others enjoy lavish upgrades to this or that wing of their giant building.
But what would it take to see a vibrant family of Jesus in close reach of every person…geographically and culturally… on the planet…and in our context in Chicago?
What if this ACTUALLY happened? This is our “future perfect” – our miracle we’re waiting for and working toward.
It would truly take a new mindset toward budgeting. It would take a re-orientation toward how a church invests their money. It would take asking the “9:11 Question.” (1 Cor 9:11) “Since we have invested in you spiritually, isn’t it right for you to invest in us financially?” It would take a spirit of generosity toward those who truly were called to do mission work, coaching, and church planting. It would take putting the interest of others over my own interests.
I think it is happening. I see green-shoots of hope appearing across the landscape. Churches willing to put aside their traditional budget-line items and think again about what is most important for the sake of the Kingdom.
