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Admittedly some students are poor; many are depending on scholarships or are working their way through college. Yet each can give something. A sense of financial involvement is important even if it's only "the widow's mite"--small but sacrificial (Luke 21:1-4). The poorest American student is better off than most students in other countries.

Sometimes what is really financial irresponsibility passes under the name of "operating by faith." In a number of chapters the financial needs are never systematically put before the group, and yet the money is expected to come in automatically. In many cases this method has meant a year ending with unpaid bills which fall upon the shoulders of a few. Such a misunderstanding of faith does not honor God, nor does it teach the students in the chapter what it is to give systematically and sacrificially to a work in which they participate and from which they benefit.

It's not unspiritual to think and plan ahead of time. The apostle Paul teaches this principle: "On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and save, as he may prosper, so that contributions need not be made when I come" (1 Corinthians 16:2).

A chapter budget is essential to this kind of generous, joyful, expectant giving. It's basically a thoughtful plan for spending. Don't fall into the trap of month-to-month survival, begging for funds on the spur of the moment whenever a particular need arises. A chapter doing this will spend its money mainly for its own immediate needs with little thought to such important items as giving to student work overseas or providing scholarships for members to go to summer camps.

What should go into a chapter's budget? For ideas, see the sidebar "What's in a Chapter Budget?"

Encouraging generous giving
Providing money for the budget is primarily the responsibility of the chapter members who participate in the group's activities and understand its spiritual principles. Visitors, seekers, non-believers and even fringe members should not be pressured into giving. In fact, chapter finances should probably not be highlighted at your first meeting or at meetings specifically designed to attract students who may not yet be believers.

When you do present your chapter budget to the group, take great care to explain each item. Many chapters find it helpful to copy and distribute the budget, together with notes explaining the various items, so that every member will have a record of the budget for prayer and consideration. Posting it as a linked page on your chapter web site (and keeping it up to date) will also allow people to see how chapter finances are doing.

There are a number of ways to bring in funds. The treasurer can take initiative to gather ideas, think them through carefully and present them to the group.

Some chapters use a "partners" card which is distributed along with the budget. Members consider carefully their financial situations and indicate the amount they believe God wants them to pledge. This route gives the chapter leadership team an idea of what to expect for income throughout the year.

Other groups do not feel they should use such commitments. Members are expected to consider carefully their part in chapter finances and give whatever and whenever they see fit. Sometimes a box or plate is placed in a convenient place and students' attention is drawn to it. This route may have the disadvantages of making frequent announcements necessary and of putting finances prominently before visitors.

Whatever procedure is used, students can give gifts directly to the treasurer or put them in an inconspicuous box at meetings. The treasurer is then responsible to give periodic reports on receipts and expenditures (see the sidebar "More Than a Human Cash Register" below).

The real bottom line
How important is this whole area of chapter finances? Good stewardship under God is something which needs to be learned and practiced by the whole chapter as well as by individuals. George Mueller once said, "Only fix even the smallest amount you purpose to give of your income, and give this regularly. As God is pleased to increase your light and grace, and is pleased to prosper you more, so give more. If you neglect habitual giving, regular giving, giving from principle and upon Scriptural ground, and leave it only to feeling and impulse, or particularly arousing circumstances, you will certainly be the loser."

Here lies a tremendous challenge and opportunity for chapter leaders to provide spiritual leadership in the area of finances. A clearly-communicated, working chapter budget is a good place to start.