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Christianity Today, July, 2008 |

Overturning the Money Tables

Rusty Leonard is a financial manager who wants to change how you give and invest.

Rob Moll | posted 7/11/2008 09:28AM

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Leonard gave up his professional prospects to start a confrontational ministry and an investment firm managing 1/14 the size of his former accounts. "From a professional perspective," he says, "I went from the very peak to the pit. I don't think I realized how far down I was going."

Leonard loves what he does. "I like managing accounts for people who want to give," though he's ambivalent about the role he feels he's been called to. "I don't want to be known as the lone sentry on the wall," as one magazine called him.

He now has more accounts that give away their profits. "I'm running the race to make sure we can keep this account large enough so that they can pull the money out that they need to fund their ministry," says Leonard. "I love running money for that purpose."

Rob Moll is a CT editor at large.

Related Elsewhere:

MinistryWatch, Stewardship Partners, and Biblically Responsible Investing Institute have more about their missions on their websites.

Our recent articles on money and business include:

Philanthro-Pinch | Economic downturn sparks worries over giving. (July 11, 2008)

Cornerstone Falters | Real estate investments bankrupt Presbyterian-affiliated group. (July 10, 2008)

Blessed Insurance | Many pastors lack access to adequate health benefits. (July 7, 2008)

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July 2008, Vol. 52, No. 7

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Geof	Posted: July 16, 2008 11:38 PM

As a field worker in Cambodia, I am equally distressed and frustrated at how large ministeries use their money and power in poor countries. There need to be more voices rising up and challenging mega ministeries to keep them honest and effective in all aspects of their ministeries. Just because God has blessed and grown a ministry does not mean that all of their decisions are right and that they are above reproach.

wesh	Posted: July 14, 2008 5:49 PM

I am totally supportive of what Leonard is trying to do. I am what my fosterson discribes as "the Tax Guy" so I get an inside glimps of what many non profits do. While there are many wonderful organization out there, pride, power and financial self interest are cornerstones of too many "charitable' organizations. A couple months ago, the Wall Street Journal had a front page article on non profit hospitals. To say that it made me emotionally distraught is an understatement. Robes of charity adorn many demons of greed. It's not what we say, but what we do that defines what we really are.

suzanne

Posted: July 14, 2008 10:53 AM

Mr. Leonard thank you for your invaluable work and God bless you for taking on a challenging arena. I was dissappointed that so may Christians were critical of Grassley's efforts to expose irresponsible ministries. I applaud you both. In my area a church's financial abuses with the family living in high style and funneling money to family members was front page news for several weeks. It broke my heart to know many non-believers would be influenced by this scandal which is a disgrace to the name of Christ. I was also shocked that the majority of the church members were in denial and continued to support the pastor. I have found it to be a stumbling block in witnessing to family members, they think Christians are no different, or even worse than the usual scoundrels that manipulate and take advantage of people. I will happily use the resources this article has provided. Thanks

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