Accountability

Love means that we are accountable. It is our duty to be open and transparent, not when we are asked, but before we are asked. A duty is something that we fulfil without being asked. When we make enquires people sometimes say, “Do you not trust me?”. That is a wrong question. Instead of asking that, as a steward we have a duty to make full accountability of all our financial dealings without ever being asked.

This is love. Love gives no appearance of evil, so others will not question the righteousness of God and the faith will not be evil spoken of, to the hurt of others. When we have to be asked to show account, this is not love.

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be is found faithful. (1 Cor 4:2).

A pastor should not be the person who controls the money. Money should go through the church accounts and be audited independently. The pastor’s family members should not have access to the money or assets of a ministry. Ministry is not a personal or family business affair, though many treat it like this today.

Offerings in the church should not come to the pastor. They should go to the church. The pastor should record everything that he spends. It should be open and transparent.