Church Finance Training
Transcript: Magnifying Our Stewardship Over Sacred Funds Bacoor Philipines Stake Church Finance Training The Widow's Mite Use of Church Funds The Widow's Mite The Widow’s Mite I hold in my hand a widow’s mite. It was given me in Jerusalem many years ago, and I was told that it is genuine. I have it framed, and I keep it in my office as a constant reminder of the fearsome responsibility of spending that which comes of the consecrations of the members of the Church. Most of the wonderful, faithful Latter-day Saints who pay their tithing are men and women of modest means… Some time back a small, bent, elderly woman came to my office. For the purpose of this talk I shall call her Mary Olsen…She took from her purse her checkbook. She said that she had been a widow for many years, that life had not been easy for her. She had a great love for the Lord and his Church. She had faithfully paid her tithing all her life. She felt she would not live much longer. Now, she said, she felt she ought to be doing more to help than she had done The Widow's Mite In a hand shaky with age, she wrote a check for $5,000. She handed it to me. I noted the address where she lived. It was in a poor neighborhood. I confess that as I looked at that check tears came into my eyes. I have held many larger checks than that in my hands. But as I held the check of this widow woman, I was almost overcome by her faith and the seriousness of the trust that was mine in the expenditure of her consecrated contribution… You and I—are trustees of that which has been given to the Lord by Mary Olsen and thousands like her whose devotion is as great and whose sacrifice is as certain. She gives her offering to the Lord, and she is then released from responsibility. The responsibility then becomes mine—and yours! – President Gordon B. Hinckley Sacred Trust How you administer sacred funds have eternal consequences sacred funds have eternal consequences In the last 35 years in the Philippines Area, 478 trusted priesthood leaders have lost: Church Membership Temple Covenants Sealing to Families Priesthood For not carefully and diligently fulfilling their stewardship over sacred funds. How you administer sacred funds have eternal consequences sacred funds have eternal consequences “I know by sad experience that when a person mishandles the Lord’s resources, he risks losing his place in the kingdom. He may jeopardize his own faith, but surely he will weaken the faith of generations to come.” - Elder Robert D. Hales How you administer sacred funds have eternal consequences sacred funds have eternal consequences Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Matthew 25:23 Administer Finances In the Lord’s Way Administer Finances In the Lord’s Way Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Trying to do finances your way, will add to your burden, will expose you to temptation, and may eventually lead you to lose all. Following the instructions, and using the tools, provided by the Lord is the EASY way. Learn and follow His Ways and your burden will be light. PREPARING BUDGET REQUEST Bishop/Stake President Organization Representative(s) Clerk/Financial Clerk(s) (1) Checks Activity Calendar for the Following Month (2) Confirms Activity Budget (3) Provides duly signed Payment Approval Form (PAF) to Clerk at Least 2 Weeks Prior to Intended Activity (4) Checks PAF and available budget (5) Provides Consolidated Budget Request and PAF from ALL ward officers to Bishop (6) Approves PAF (7) Withdraw Consolidated Amount of Budget Request or Use AUB for Direct Purchase. (12) Signs form acknowledging receipt of excess cash. Excess Cash returns to the COH or redeposited (if month-end) (8) Receives Cash from Bishop/Clerk (9) Signs PAF as Proof that Requested Amount was Received (10) Utilize the Sacred Cash Fund with Care and Frugality (11) Give ALL Official Receipts to the Ward Financial Clerk(s) and Narrative Report on the Nearest Sunday After the Activity, and Excess Cash to the Bishop (13) Transaction entered in LCR. Scanned and uploaded PAF (duly signed) with attached Supporting Documents (OR, FOR, Bishop’s Guide SRP page 1) in LCR and hard copy securely filed and retained for 10 years + current year. PAYMENT APPROVAL FORM PAYMENT APPROVAL FORM Sign PAF Preparing Payment Approval Form Cash Advance Cash Advance with excess cash Reimbursement ACTIVITY eSign PDF with Electronic Signature Online ACTIVITY