The Apostle Paul on Internal Control Safeguards

As a nonprofit financial leader, I am often asked, or better yet, told that what I’m talking about isn't in the scriptures, or they believe that what I’m sharing isn't God's ideas but man's.

I always love it when I pick up an excellent resource that aligns with my gift, passion, and, most importantly, calling from God.  These resources underscore and deepen my convictions about managing money God’s way!

My most recent find is this incredible book called Paul and Money by Verlyn Verbrugge. Not a traditional book to read – it has many Greek and Hebrew languages references and most pages are half text and half reference notes. But this book has been an excellent read because it helped me with a fresh look at the New Testament scriptures regarding Money and Paul's ministry as it relates to offerings.

The scripture that spoke to me the most from this book was;

2 Corinthians 8

“16 Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man."

This scripture aligns with all the things I’m passionate about, which are;

• The importance of internal controls, a phrase often used by accounting people but also know as checks and balances or safeguards.
• Paul said he was “taking pains to do what is right.” Safeguards can be inconvenient.  But they are worth the hassle to honor the Lord!
• Paul’s motivation was to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
• It is a sacred act of worship to create processes and systems to protect the asset of an organization.

Such great truth!  This scripture applies to us in what we do as financial leaders, leading in ministries and mission-oriented organizations and implementing safeguards that will be beneficial, both in the eyes of the Lord and man.

If you are curious or unsure if you have safeguards in place for your organization, I have a free assessment on my website. Click Here for clarity on the strength of your safeguards - FREE assessment that takes 15 minutes!

Are you doing the scriptural and practical things you could be doing to safeguard your organization? I invite you to do something to improve that this week.