I have been thinking a lot about the financial outlook for Sound Life Church and the members who have been hit so hard by the economic downturn. There are a few sites out there to help people connect to job opportunities, but what about the affect these uncertain times have on our attitudes as Christians?

While pondering I ran across an article from a church leadership coach named Dan Reiland. I’ve read a lot of Dan’s stuff and really appreciate the way he thinks. I would like to condense some things he wrote and apply them to attitudes we need both as people and a congregation.

Our attitude toward money is really at the heart of how well we do as a church and individually. I don’t believe in “prosperity theology”. I’m happy for Christians who are blessed with financial wealth, but I don’t believe that God promises wealth. Many Christians are faithful and God-honoring people who have lived their lives with modest financial resources.

As I said earlier, there are different attitudes toward money. These seven are from Dan Reiland (with my slight editing). See if you can identify where you think you are.

An Attitude of Frugality: Being frugal with money is a good thing. In fact, it’s a very good thing. There is a point, however, at which frugality can be taken too far. When frugality is seen as a virtue, it tends to be exalted. It is then developed beyond a healthy perspective, which often stems from a lack of trust in what God can do. We sometimes think we can’t afford it and think “We’ll have to settle for something less.” The truth is, you can have anything you want, you just can’t have everything you want. Don’t misunderstand, I’m not recommending unnecessary debt or reckless spending, but lack of trust in God’s provision will affect how we function spiritually

An Attitude of Poverty: The belief that you are poor and therefore you always are. There is a spiritual stronghold present. Believe that prayer can break this stronghold and God’s recourses can begin to flow.

An Attitude of Generosity: This is a great attitude to have. It’s an attitude of sowing seeds and believing God’s promises. Churches like this attract, grow and develop generous people. People like this bless people and the community. Often this speaks louder than the message we preach to the unchurched. Being a generous church doesn’t necessarily mean you are a wealthy church. Generous churches are typically upbeat, positive, full of grace, quick to give to others in need, and, of course, recipients for a blessing from God. Remember, this is not a “deal” made with God. The idea is not that you give so you get rich. It’s more of a door for God’s blessing as He chooses. Malachi 3:10 reminds us of this truth. “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’”

An Attitude of Fear: Fear can grip even the best of us. This economy is filled with unknowns, turns and flips. People tend to overreact by spending next to nothing in an attempt to hoard, or, in an act of futility, spending all they have and more. Fear paralyzes. It can place a grip on us in such a way that we lose perspective and no longer think correctly. When fear hits a church, the leaders pull back and refuse to take a risk, even a carefully thought-through and prayed-about risk. You can’t move forward without risk. Fear wastes potential and trust in God will continually erode in a spirit of fear.

An Attitude of Faith: People and churches of great faith come in all shapes and sizes. Most have very little money, but launch out believing God for what seems nearly impossible by most. The churches that possess great faith are churches of great prayer. Their prayer usually leads to a compelling vision. When it comes to church leadership, faith is always connected to vision, and money, in turn, follows vision. People catch that faith. They get excited about the God-breathed vision and want to give financially. People want to be a part of something bigger than who they are alone, especially something God has set into motion.

An Attitude of Business: Efficient, thorough, pass their audits, and run things by the budget. It’s a good thing to be conscientious about God’s money. But no matter how much we believe that “businesslike” is good, the truth is that a church is not a business. The bottom line is not about a profit, and that is a huge difference. We always want to be wise and, as Scripture says, even shrewd. But ministry is ministry and, on occasion, rules and budgets must temporarily be broken because God has “interrupted” the fiscal calendar with an unplanned idea.

An Attitude of Gratefulness: Grateful people and churches are very connected to the fact that God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. These people and churches understand that He is the owner of everything, and we are to be stewards of those gifts. Those with an attitude of gratitude hold loosely to what they possess and are ready and eager to give outside the four walls of their own ministry as God directs. They have the attitude that continually declares “we get to,” not, “we have to.”

So which of these seven attitudes most accurately describes you? Which do you want? What do you need to do to close the gap if there is one? The good news is that you can have the attitude you want!