But it is wonderful work. We get to see the Lord's work being played out in the big picture.Our Finance Committee, itself, may not feed the homeless (although our members do when wearing other hats) but our committee "sees" the hundreds of homeless who are helped everyday in the line items of our budget that goes to ministries who feed the homeless. And we "see" the work done in Africa by our missionaries. We "see" the scholarship help to the seminary student. We "see" the Youth go for a missionary trip to Mexico. We "see" the lights coming on for the Wednesday night Bible study. We "see" the air conditioner cool the air for the health and comfort of the worshipers. We "see" the carpet cleaned for the Easter Seals children who use our facility for developmental education. We "see" the roof repairs on the sanctuary over the heads of the funeral mourners. We see the details but we have to look at the big picture.

    We are responsible for the safety of Salem's resources, so that the money, the property, the gifts that members and others give to Salem are used well for the Lord's work. So in consultation with and under the authority of the Church Council, we develop and maintain procedures for the orderly and clearly understandable investment and expenditure of those resources. Some resources are intended to be used for daily needs. Some resources are intended to be invested for tomorrow's needs. But all are dedicated to the Lord's work.

    We praise God for the task before us and we ask the Holy Spirit's wisdom to bless our decisions.