Article 5: Financial
Whereas Jesus walked faithfully in the flesh and Spirit according to the will of His Father, in word and deed:
Whereas Rose gave faithfully according to the will of her Father of both substance and Spirit, and demonstrated fidelity in her judicious use of church monies:
Whereas Jesus said, “He who is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” (Luke 16:10), and “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21):
The Church of Jesus Christ Forever,
thus and therefore, states:
Section 1: that She shall require faithfulness in tithes and offerings:
a) tithe shall be according to one’s gross income;
b) offerings shall be consistent with how God has prospered him;
c) operating expenses shall be paid out of offerings (general fund);
d) pastors shall tithe personally to the Regional;
e) the Regional shall tithe to the Reverend General;
Section 2: that “God’s tithe” or a tenth of the weekly tithes and offerings shall be set aside for use at the discretion of the pastor as God leads for the benefit of the Church (Nehemiah 10:38);
Section 3: that special offerings shall be taken and distributions made for the ministry to the saints and for those in need both near and far as led by the Holy Ghost; one tenth being retained by the local church;
Section 4: that She shall be ready and willing to give abundantly to a fellow church when the necessity arises, whether in its own region or dispersed abroad;
Section 5: that the pastor shall not use the funds of the church for his/her personal gain, but shall demonstrate fidelity in good stewardship of God’s money;
Section 6: that the pastor shall not take a salary. As exemplified in Paul’s ministry; he put no burden on the church, but was as much as possible self sufficient as a tent maker. Our founder put no burden on the church, only that we live pure and perfect before God. Christ was a carpenter until the time appointed of the Father. Thus it is with a pastor. Until the time appointed, he/she shall not take a salary, however, with added responsibility and demand on his/her time, as the Lord shall move, the church may pay some of his/her regular bills, (utilities, a portion of food requirements, medical bills, etc.) to supplement his/her income. But once again, the use of church money is most holy and to be used in a most stringent way as led by the Holy Ghost;
Section 7: that church records shall be complete, up to date, accurate, and available for review;
Section 8: that by appointment or vote, a secretary and a treasurer may be named to assist the pastor as he/she deems necessary;
Section 9: that an annual report of income and expenses be submitted to Regional;
Section 10: that the pastor shall sign all checks of the church. The pastor shall keep abreast of the expenses of the church so as to watch over and insure the proper use of church monies. All bills and charges incurred by any congregant for the work of the church shall be submitted to the pastor for review and payment. He shall maintain the highest standard in overseeing the use of church monies as he is accountable unto the Lord for its use. It is the Lord’s for the promulgation of the everlasting gospel of the kingdom;
Section 11: that the ownership of property shall be the responsibility of each church, remembering that in due time God shall provide;
Section 12: that all who attend to financial matters:
a) shall be faithful stewards in everything that God has blessed them with, both in flesh and Spirit;
b) shall be rich towards God, and not towards himself, remembering that it is difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
c) shall care for those in need with charity, for without charity it shall profit them nothing;
d) shall sow to the Spirit and reap life everlasting;
e) shall bring tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in God’s house to feed the nations;
f) shall remember that riches profit not in the day of wrath, but RIGHTEOUSNESS DELIVERETH FROM DEATH;
g) whether rich or poor, shall not be high-minded, nor trust in uncertain worldly treasures, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; but that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Thus, financial matters of The Church of Jesus Christ Forever shall be conducted by men and women of God, faithfully, as good stewards of the grace and blessings of God.
LAY NOT UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES UPON EARTH,