Should the Church Treasurer Give a Report?

Should the Church Treasurer Give a Report? Bible Question.

Question:

“The treasurer here will not give a financial report to the church. We have no elders. The treasurer even told us he doesn’t want anyone to know how much the church actually has or how it is being spent. Is this right?”

Answer:

How a church handles money is an important matter. Almost nothing puts doubt into the minds of people like suspicions that arise over the church’s money. The apostle Paul knew this. When he was collecting money from the Gentile churches of Greece and Macedonia in order to feed the poor in Judea, he took great care in how the money was handled. Accompanying Paul was at least one representative from the area churches (2 Corinthians 8:18) as well as Titus. Then Paul adds . . .

“taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.” – 2 Corinthians 8:20, 21 (New American Standard Bible)

The apostle says he was extremely careful in how he administered the funds. And, he was extremely careful in how it looked to others. Paul didn’t want anyone to have a reason to criticize the way he handled the money that had been entrusted to him.

So, to me, it is vital that the church provide regular, ongoing financial reports to the members of the body. This is done to keep the church informed, to keep the critics quiet, and to demonstrate to the church (and the community) that the body of Christ has nothing to hide in the way it administers the Lord’s money.

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