This in no way exhausts my thoughts on finances and the practicalities of ministry but it is an attempt to share some of them.
Neither I nor BRCC believe in a prosperity gospel as being God's word. Jesus never preached comfort and wealth as being a result of salvation. But he did preach diligence, wisdom, and the value of preparation. Paul, during his ministry, had times of abundance and times of great need, times of working to support himself and times of being supported by the church.
With my budget I have been very honest about my needs and desires, some of which are more expensive than others. But as you read through it should become clear that I am not purchasing many things for myself in the way of luxury, or selfish living. The money raised which funds my internship can be summed up in this statement. "I intend to do and am currently doing the very best with what i have financially. However after careful consideration I have concluded that the best I could possibly do would cost $41,450.40." I know its a lot!
With my budget I have been very honest about my needs and desires, some of which are more expensive than others. But as you read through it should become clear that I am not purchasing many things for myself in the way of luxury, or selfish living. The money raised which funds my internship can be summed up in this statement. "I intend to do and am currently doing the very best with what i have financially. However after careful consideration I have concluded that the best I could possibly do would cost $41,450.40." I know its a lot!
I currently support myself and have had many financial challenges over the course of my life. You may be surprised to learn that I never owned a car until last march, so a highly endowed lifestyle isn't my goal, nor has it been my reality. Thankfully, I currently have most of the things are needed to live. In my case, it was always costly for others to sacrifice their time, money, and schedule in order to give me a ride. I was literally hitching a ride to a 40 hr/wk job this time last year, and my schedule was built completely on when others could pick me up and drop me off. This was a case in which my ill equipping financially left me to be taken care of by those kind enough to do so. If possible I would like to avoid experiences like this in the future, by wisely handling my finances. In other words this has instilled in me a value for planning. It is my responsibility to provide for myself and my future household. I simply want good things financially, but not apart from righteousness.
Below is a short list of thoughts/items that you may struggle to find on my budget
Ipad: It isn't necessary, but my computer is 6 years old and very outdated. There are several feature on it that no longer work. Instead of venturing to buy a new one I've settled for a tablet, its half the price and I can do almost everything I will need to do for my internship on it as well.
Ipad: It isn't necessary, but my computer is 6 years old and very outdated. There are several feature on it that no longer work. Instead of venturing to buy a new one I've settled for a tablet, its half the price and I can do almost everything I will need to do for my internship on it as well.
Savings and Tithe: I consider saving in an IRA wise (Pr 13:22, and 21:20), as I do tithing. Both are a current part of my monthly expenses even with my very limited income. Almost anyone who fundraises for their primary income will teach the importance of saving. It is widely accepted amongst these who fundraise that not saving for the future is a great mistake.
Ministry Expenses: Being a pastoral assistant is my job for the next year of my life, and I can't tell you how much it means to me to be working in ministry at age 23. Like any other job, the things you do costs money. For most jobs these things are provided by the business they work for. For my internship, this is not the case. By large whatever I do/need must be raised by myself.
Working Part-time: I have a part time job, but only make about $6.00/hr after taxes. I do not mind working elsewhere to support myself, but I do mind that it subtracts from my ability to give to this ministry. For now I work 6-7 hrs a day 5 days a week and then transition to about 6-7 more for my internship in the afternoon/evening. In many ways this commute is a great joy, because their is joy in working hard. Consequently the 14 hour work day does not bother me much. What does bother me is that I know more could be given on my part if I could serve God's people, eat, live, buy gas, etc... without working part time 5 days a week.
Scripture teachs us about "the love of money" (1 Tim 6:10) being "the root of all kinds of evil." I don't love money, nor do I want to waste my supporters money so I chose to be very open regarding my intentions. Yes I regularly tithe 10%, I saw no reason to change that, I have no insurance I saw no reason why I shouldn't, I regularly save (though it is little), I plan to go to Seminary, send my kids to College, give gifts at Christmas, accompany my church on a Spring Break mission trip etc... Some of these are normal things, Some uncommon, and a couple are unusual for men our age to concern themselves with.
A basic break down of my budget will reveal the following. Out of $41,450.40 a total of $10,328 (fundraising, and ministry expenses) are not being spent on pleasure, but on enhancing my ability to impact and serve BRCC and Cullowhee, in addition to growing during this internship. Taxes account for $6,923. Tithing is $4,145, really thats my choice, but its because I want to support BRCC financially. In fact many missions organizations require their missionaries tithe a percentage of their raised support. My savings $13,796 aren't really being spent on myself at the moment, and some never will be. As you saw a portion will go to my future children, some to a retirement account, I have even diligently decided to prepare for a time when I have no income (emergency expenses). I know that this is not foolishness, and that it is wise to seek provision both for oneself and one's family. I am living off of $12,944 + $2,827 needed for health and car insurance, together this totals $15,771 that I literally plan to spend on myself this year. I don't think that is extreme, and I could have left my budget at that amount. In fact some would have chose to. I did not, because I do not regard my work in this ministry to be worth so little that I could not afford to save, or tithe, or bring money to my internship in order that God and his work in BRCC and on this campus might be more abundantly blessed.
In conclusion please know that I spent a lot of time considering the very best internship I could foresee. I asked myself and God what it would cost, and what was really worth pursuing financially? Then I added it together and ended up with $41,450.40. It does not include dumb luxuries like a big TV or a jungle gym. If you are willing please look back at my budget and consider this. That for me to take such diligent efforts in preparing a functional financially secure budget, raise it, and bring it with me into my internship is a great blessing to everyone I serve. I would have plenty to share in the way of time and money. Money is money, and really its not fun :) but we have to have it in order to live.
Thanks, I hope this helped with some of your concerns.
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