“Churches today increasingly spend resources on themselves and the needs and wants of those who attend their own congregations…It’s true that buildings and programs can be helpful, and we certainly want to attract unbelievers. But if we’re sticking to our biblical mandate we should attract people by “advertising” the sort of love and giving exhibited by Jesus, who called his followers to die to themselves…
Perhaps we should be more willing to give up our own gymnasiums and build them where safe after-school and summer activities are desperately needed. Perhaps instead of renovating our adequately functioning church to ensure that our carpet and wallpaper or sound system “keep up with the times,” we should invest in dilapidated or underserved churches in poorer places. Perhaps meeting in homes and other locations rather than in seldom-used “church offices” or rooms could save money to be used for missions.”
Jason Hood in “The Generous Church: Building a Budget that Reflects God’s Agenda” (Chattanooga: Generous Giving, 2006) 6-7.
If you want to read the entire article which includes seven suggestions to help make your church budget more biblical, search: The Generous Church: Building a Budget that Reflects God’s Agenda