Today, I want to talk about something I believe the church needs to hear more of: the value of diversifying your sources of income. Many in ministry are taught to rely solely on the church for their livelihood. However, I’ve found that balancing ministry with practical, productive work not only provides financial stability but also enhances our ability to give and serve.
Building a Sustainable Financial Foundation
In August, I began rearing a batch of day-old broilers, and today, as they mature, we’re planning to sell them throughout the Christmas season. Imagine the financial impact if every pastor in suburban areas or small towns raised a few broilers like these. Instead of spending on non-essentials, this investment in broilers can yield profit while providing for our needs, including church activities like Thanksgiving.
This approach is one of the simplest ways to ensure that your “seed” actually grows. Investing in small ventures like poultry farming or agriculture allows you to give from a place of abundance, not scarcity.
Side Ventures and Full-Time Ministry: A Practical Approach
Yesterday, I visited my farm where a woman was preparing garri from the cassava gleanings. Someone leased a portion of the land and paid me, providing more funds to reinvest in the farm. This is the principle of keeping your hands busy, constantly working on income-generating activities that complement ministry.
We see in scripture that Isaac sowed in the land, which was an agricultural venture. It wasn’t just a spiritual exercise; it was a real, practical investment. Likewise, pastors and ministers can do more than just rely on offerings and donations. By creating productive side hustles, we can support our families, our ministries, and even extend our help to others.
Rethinking Church Finances: Practical Giving from Productive Investments
Having practical, income-generating investments can be a game-changer for church life. Instead of merely “sowing seeds” without seeing results, let’s invest in tangible ventures that grow and provide a real return. For instance, with our plantain harvest, we produce plantain chips for my school. It’s a small example of how our hands can be busy producing value and sustaining the work we do in ministry.
There’s a need to rethink how the church views productivity and income. If every pastor or church leader had a productive side hustle, the church’s financial strength would be so much greater. It’s about finding ways to contribute, grow, and ultimately have the ability to give back from a place of surplus.
Invest in Productivity, Not Frivolity
When we channel resources into productive ventures, we create a cycle of giving that blesses others and sustains our ministries. Stop doing “fool-time” ministry, where your only focus is on one income source. Instead, go full-time with a mindset of diversified productivity. This keeps our hands full, our finances stable, and our ability to give strong.
