Money, Money, Money

As an international church in Lima, Peru, we have members from all over South America, North America, Europe, and Asia. Last Sunday we saw further evidence of the internationality of our church, as we received tithes and offerings in four different currencies: Peruvian soles, US dollars, British pounds, and Euros, too!

Receiving tithes and offerings in multiple currencies is a blessing, and this also presents us with an education opportunity.

For instance, we have learned that when going to exchange money into local currency, the best exchange rates tend to be with the authorized money changers on the streets of Lima. The currency exchange kiosks at the airport tend to charge the highest fees and commissions, and tend to offer the least generous exchange rates, and the local banks here are not much better. The authorized money changers on the streets, at least in Lima, offer the best exchange rates for US dollars, British pounds, and Euros.

This issue is very important to bear in mind, particularly if you are part of an international church or ministry that is involved with multiple currencies. Do not automatically assume that a bank or an airport exchange kiosk will offer you the best exchange rate. In fact, they probably will not. You may have more success on the street, if such money changers exist wherever it is that you are doing church or ministry.

As part of our responsibility to be faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us, it is important for us to always be cognizant of where we can get the best return rate on God's money when we are exchanging His currencies.