The core values of Your Money Counts are based on the truths contained in the Bible.
The following are the fundamental guiding principles for Your Money Counts that must never be compromised. They must permeate and be applied in every part of the ministry including the materials, the way we relate to one another, and in the way we accomplish our mission. Some of these values are distinctive to us, while others are common to many ministries.
Everything we do should reflect and affirm our Core Values. They should be so clear and widely disseminated that they will attract those called to serve with us.
1. Christ-Centred
The Lordship of Christ
The purpose of Your Money Counts is to help people apply God's financial principles, to draw them into a deeper love relationship with Jesus Christ, and to encourage them to submit to Him as Lord.
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24.
The Lord owns the ministry
Your Money Counts belongs to the Lord, not to the board or those serving in the ministry.
"Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything." 1 Chronicles 29:11, TLB.
We are all servants in the work of His kingdom. We affirm the absolute centrality of Jesus Christ to Your Money Counts (see Colossians 1:17-18).
The Lord directs the ministry
God is the only one who knows the direction Your Money Counts should take. We will not trust in clever leadership, but rather, humbly depend upon Jesus Christ to direct the ministry.
The Lord produces fruit in the ministry
We recognise that true fruitfulness of ministry only flows out of a relationship with Him (John 15:1-5). The more dependent and obedient we are to Christ, the more fruitful the ministry will be.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation and eternal life
In our materials and teachings, we will explain how people can come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord.
Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the true and the life. No one comes to Father except through me.' John 14:6.
2. Holy Spirit led
In the same way that Jesus depended on the Holy Spirit to reveal the will of the Father, we too are completely dependent on Him to reveal God’s will for Your Money Counts and for each of us as individuals.
For accurately understanding and applying God’s Word
"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I [Jesus] said to you." John 14:26 (World English Bible).
For holiness and integrity in our personal lives
"And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes…" Ezekiel 36:27, KJV.
Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16, NIVUK.
For spiritual power and direction
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8, NIVUK.
For what to say and how to pray
"…do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit." Mark 13:11, NIVUK.
For producing spiritual fruit
Only the Holy Spirit can reveal the truth of God’s Word, protect us from deception, and ensure that Your Money Counts will build on the foundation of Christ's work that will last (1 Corinthians 3:10-14).
3. Bible-based
Message and methods
Everything Your Money Counts teaches and does must be based on the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The materials and organisation, including its policies, strategies and activities, must be rooted in the truths of God’s Word, despite any external pressures to compromise.
Biblically accurate
In our teaching, we can only be as clear as the Bible is clear - nothing less, nothing more, and nothing else. 2 Timothy 2:15, NASB tells us: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
Obedience required
If we are not obeying God’s Word, we will be unable to accurately understand and apply it and unable to teach others (James 1:22-25).
Model what we teach
We must be faithful to obey and practice God’s Word, to be able to speak with integrity, knowing we ultimately reproduce who we are, not what we teach.
"A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:40.
God's Word changes lives
When we share God's Word, we can be sure that the Lord will use it to change lives.
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12, NLT.
"So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11.
4. Prayer-driven
Prayer is essential
Seeking the Lord's direction, provision, and protection through prayer must be a constant focus for us individually and throughout the entire ministry. Prayer is critical to understanding and doing the will of God (James 1:5; Luke 11:11-13).
Jesus is our example
Prayer was a significant part of Jesus’ life and a frequent theme in His teaching. He prayed regularly, extensively, earnestly, and did so to fellowship with the Father, receive daily direction for ministry, intercede for others, as well as receive strength to persevere through suffering. Jesus taught His disciples how to pray and modeled for them a life devoted to prayer.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35, NIVUK.
"This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'" Matthew 6:9-13, NIVUK.
We are encouraged to pray
Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, NIVUK.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2, NIVUK.
Pray as a spiritual weapon for a spiritual battle
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God… And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep praying for all the Lord's people. Ephesians 6:12-18, NIVUK.
Pray for needed workers
[Jesus] told them, ‘the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.' Luke 10:2, NIVUK.
Pray for provision of resources
You do not have, because you do not ask God. James 4:2.
Also see: Matthew 7:7-8 and Philippians 4:6.
Pray for open doors for our message in the entire world
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Colossians 4:3-4 NIVUK.
Pray for leaders, cities and nations
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority... 1 Timothy 2:1-4, NIVUK.
Also see: Jeremiah 29:7 and Ezekiel 22:30.
Pray for repentance and righteousness so God will heal nations
"If my people, who are called my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14, NIVUK.
Pray for others
The Lord delights when we pray for others. This is not something we do to meet the needs of our ministry; rather, it is others focused and an essential part of who we are at Your Money Counts. We should seek to discover what others most need from God, and then faithfully pray for them - often, immediately. When we are sensitive to follow God’s leading to pray, He encourages others and answers those prayers by changing lives and circumstances.
Ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers... Ephesians 1:15-17, BSB.
Also see: 1 Samuel 12:23 and James 5:16.
5. Discipleship focused
Jesus commanded us to make disciples
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20, NIVUK.
'Disciple' simply means a 'learner' or an 'obeyer'. The Great Commission is to make disciples, which was Jesus’ personal priority. His last instruction mirrored His greatest time investment - making disciples by teaching them how to obey everything He commanded. At the end of His earthly ministry, He measured success by disciples who obeyed: “I have revealed you to those whom you gave out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.” John 17:6, NIVUK.
Jesus knew that making disciples was critical if generations were to follow.
Paul's example - make disciples
Paul often spent extended time in one place. He not only taught people, he lived with them. He always had someone with him everywhere he went or stayed. His purpose was to disciple them, because he knew that, in the same manner in which he discipled them, they in turn would disciple others.
Discipling obedience
Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. Romans 1:5, NIVUK.
Making disciples involves more than just teaching, but teaching to obey. The essence of discipleship is modeling obedience to Christ by the Holy Spirit in everyday life. It is the living out in real life of what obedience looks like, both financially, and in every area of life. It’s what Jesus and Paul did. This is love for Christ. The only way we can truly see everyone, everywhere, faithfully living by God's financial principles in every area of life is to disciple them in obedience.
"If you love me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15, NIRV.
Jesus modeled obedience
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:8, NIVUK.