Cash, Check, or Charge?

Some things must be said. While many dance ministers are wonderful stewards with finances, many need to be reminded that business is business. It is a common scene for dance ministry vendors to set up booths at conferences or offer products online for purchase. Having a wide variety of options available is wonderful; however, we must not mistake our obligations to those who labor for the Kingdom.

As we are developing our movement ministries, we often desire to purchase garments, flags, banners, music, etc, that will enhance our ministries. There is a lesson in this for both the seller and the buyer. Ministry vendors often release products before complete payment is received. A promise to pay may be made, or an invoice may be sent. Some dancers receive products, and for whatever reason, go for long periods of time without submitting the funds, or neglect to pay at all. We must be good stewards.

Vendors not extending credit to individuals must be willing to hold the product until complete payment is received. If this is not done, in essence, sellers are "lending" something that very well may not be returned. When dancers receive products without payment, time will reveal whether the items in question were purchased or stolen.

If the vendor cannot afford to give products away as gifts, arragements to receive cash payments or certified funds may be a necessary option. Unfortunately, some dancers may write checks that bounce (GASP!). Dancers who cannot afford an item may opt to make payments and receive the goods when the purchase is complete. At this point, the vendor should not delay to send the goods purchased. Let us continue to be about our Father's business!

Ecclesiastes 5:5 (NKJV)
Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.

Matthew 6:12 (NKJV)
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Romans 13:7 (NKJV)
Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 (NKJV)
For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.