Thank you for the question on pastoral supplies and offerings, “What should I do as a pastor beginning a ministry with my offerings? I still need a few things, printer, some Bible reference books, etc.”
As I thought about this question, the heart of the matter is the motive, having a clear conscience before God and before your church family, and the purpose.
As a general principle, God calls each person to be a cheerful giver, not grudgingly or under compulsion. It appears that one is struggling with giving freely to the Lord, not to the local church. If one begins to divert one’s offering to “supplies”, one may be tempted in the future to divert one’s offering to other things as vacation expenses or a new car. Be very careful as one must search one’s own heart before God.
Here’s my suggestion for one’s consideration:
A. Ask the Church leaders if they can give you a supplemental budget for continuing education and pastoral resources. They will want to invest in their pastor whom they called to minister before them.
B. Ask specific members if anyone has a printer that they may be willing to donate one for one’s personal usage at home or at the church. One has to be careful of not just upgrading one’s equipment to a better quality one. There is a place for that. I used a black and white printer. They are reasonably price today. One may have to save for it just as any family has to save for the things that they want to buy.
C. Knowing that Biblical resources are readily available online or purchase an app that will suit one’s research is better than buying books. Buying books looks good for the members who sees one’s vast library. That may not be the best usage of God’s resources. Find one or two sets of critical commentaries for references. One may think about buying one commentary a month until one has the whole set. CBD has sales or go to a use book store. One may even ask family and friends to send them a particular book that one wants for a birthday or Christmas gift.
D. Review one’s budget and expenses. What can I set aside for my library instead of going out for lunch or dinner. Can I bring my lunch to church, heating my leftovers than buying lunch? Am I willing to do that? That’s what I did in all my pastoral ministries. It’s shopping for discounts at grocery stores. Yes, I even went to Goodwill or Salvation Army to buy clothing at times.
E. Upon one yearly review, one may ask the Church Leaders if they are willing to increase your salary in expressing your need to them. Church Leaders have the responsibility to ensure that their pastor is well taken care of, not necessarily living in luxury but at least on the same level with the average vocational worker in the church. Churches quite often forget to review the pastor’s salary especially if one has children.
SUMMARY: Be creative in saving and setting aside some funds for one’s library. Don’t forget your family needs to be met before one’s library.
May the Lord give you wisdom in managing one’s budget including one’s income and expenses.
For more perspectives: