Money not enough vs Money too much?
Many of my friends in SG would know what is the feeling of having not enough money. I am not talking about having money to buy iPhone, iPad, or all the latest gadgets, or buying a condo or stuff like that. I am talking about the time when you do not even know how to eat your next meal or pay your rent.
Certainly, not having enough money poses a real problem to our life. But have you ever give it a thought, what would happen if you suddenly have too much money?
The reality is this: not many people knows how to handle big money. Singles like you and me may just squander the money away. With money, you can go and try all the vices and luxuries that you never dare to touch previously. You will not want to study or work, because the money is there already.
The same thing could happen to a church or christian organization. Many churches are struggling. But in Singapore, recently there is a news of a church which spent 340million SGD to buy a share in Suntec City. Another mega church participate in another project to own a building in One North (Buona Vista) that cost almost twice that amount. Question: These churches have the money, but are they handling it well, and are they doing it biblically correct? I have my personal view, but I shall keep it to myself.
SBC, my school, always have problem to raise enough money to run the school. What if SBC sell one of the property, and allow a condo to be built on it, and let the profit supports the school's running operation? is it right or wrong? frankly, I do not have the answer.
The lecturer who brought up this issue then tells a real story about a church in the US which received 60 Million dollars donation from a rich man who passed away. The news brings numerous phonecalls and faxes asking for donation. The donation has no string attached, meaning the church could do whatever it wants with it.
The pastor, together with the board of leaders of the church then decided. They will divide the money this way:
1. 40 Million dollars will be used to setup a trust fund, where the return will be channeled 100% to mission and not to the church.
2. 12 Million dollars will be channeled to legitimate organizations asking for help
3. 4 Million dollars for another trust fund on behalf of the deceased, who had donated faithfully to the church for 100K per year. The trust fund will generate about 100K per year.
4. 4 Million dollars remaining, about 6.7%, will be used to renovate the old church building
When the board presented the proposal to the church members, the church members rejected the proposal. It is not because they wanted more money, but it is because they did not want any money from the donation. They said, if they want to renovate the church, the money should come from their pocket.
In the end, the last 4 Million dollars was added to the 12 Million dollars to be channeled for other organizations.
Now, Imagine... If your church have this money, and you choose to keep it, what will happen to the church? probably there is only one thing on the mind of the congregation: how to use the money? should invest in gold? stock? oil company? bond? property? and the church will probably split over disagreement.
The decision of the pastor and the board of the church is a wise one. The respond from the congregation reflected a mature congregation and christian thinking.
The truth is this: Not many people know how to deal with big money. Christians are not supposed to buy 4D or Toto. I always joke with my fiancee, if only God would send a Toto slip in front of me, that is supposed to win 600K SGD, then that will certainly solve a lot of problem. The question is: if that really happen, do I really know how to handle with the money wisely? Will God still be the master of my life?
Knowing all these, it leads me to remember this proverb in the Bible:
Proverbs 30:8-9 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. 9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Certainly, not having enough money poses a real problem to our life. But have you ever give it a thought, what would happen if you suddenly have too much money?
The reality is this: not many people knows how to handle big money. Singles like you and me may just squander the money away. With money, you can go and try all the vices and luxuries that you never dare to touch previously. You will not want to study or work, because the money is there already.
The same thing could happen to a church or christian organization. Many churches are struggling. But in Singapore, recently there is a news of a church which spent 340million SGD to buy a share in Suntec City. Another mega church participate in another project to own a building in One North (Buona Vista) that cost almost twice that amount. Question: These churches have the money, but are they handling it well, and are they doing it biblically correct? I have my personal view, but I shall keep it to myself.
SBC, my school, always have problem to raise enough money to run the school. What if SBC sell one of the property, and allow a condo to be built on it, and let the profit supports the school's running operation? is it right or wrong? frankly, I do not have the answer.
The lecturer who brought up this issue then tells a real story about a church in the US which received 60 Million dollars donation from a rich man who passed away. The news brings numerous phonecalls and faxes asking for donation. The donation has no string attached, meaning the church could do whatever it wants with it.
The pastor, together with the board of leaders of the church then decided. They will divide the money this way:
1. 40 Million dollars will be used to setup a trust fund, where the return will be channeled 100% to mission and not to the church.
2. 12 Million dollars will be channeled to legitimate organizations asking for help
3. 4 Million dollars for another trust fund on behalf of the deceased, who had donated faithfully to the church for 100K per year. The trust fund will generate about 100K per year.
4. 4 Million dollars remaining, about 6.7%, will be used to renovate the old church building
When the board presented the proposal to the church members, the church members rejected the proposal. It is not because they wanted more money, but it is because they did not want any money from the donation. They said, if they want to renovate the church, the money should come from their pocket.
In the end, the last 4 Million dollars was added to the 12 Million dollars to be channeled for other organizations.
Now, Imagine... If your church have this money, and you choose to keep it, what will happen to the church? probably there is only one thing on the mind of the congregation: how to use the money? should invest in gold? stock? oil company? bond? property? and the church will probably split over disagreement.
The decision of the pastor and the board of the church is a wise one. The respond from the congregation reflected a mature congregation and christian thinking.
The truth is this: Not many people know how to deal with big money. Christians are not supposed to buy 4D or Toto. I always joke with my fiancee, if only God would send a Toto slip in front of me, that is supposed to win 600K SGD, then that will certainly solve a lot of problem. The question is: if that really happen, do I really know how to handle with the money wisely? Will God still be the master of my life?
Knowing all these, it leads me to remember this proverb in the Bible:
Proverbs 30:8-9 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. 9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
posted by Suhandy Yao Wei Xuan @ 9:59 pm
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