The use of church funds

      We all know that religious groups today have used their collections to fund everything from pizza parties, senior trips to building gymnasiums and having day care centers. The question is, are there binding examples that will limit the use of church funds, and help use know what they are to be used for?                                                                                 

Let me just say that if there are no binding examples in scripture, then we must just as well discard the Bible, for the flood-gate would open up. This is no more true than when it comes to the church funds that are collected. And since many do not respect approved examples as a means to establishing authority, you have religious groups doing anything they want with their funds. This is the reason why people make light of this whole discussion.

We can quickly set some boundaries if we have a scripture that will come right out and limit the use of church funds. There is and it is found in I Timothy 5:16. Read this text carefully. You will notice that Christians were given a responsibility to take care of a financial need that the church was not responsible for thus making a distinction between the work of an individual and the work of the church. Failure to see this, we cause one to miss the binding examples surrounding church funds.

Local church take up a collection each Sunday (I Cor. 16:1-2), for the work of the church. What are those works? Evangelism (Eph. 3:10); Edification (Eph. 4:120 and helping needy saints (II Cor. 8:1-4).  Within these three areas we have examples of churches sending to brethren in need. We have examples of preachers being supported directly, to preach (II Cor. 11:8). Notice that we do not have examples of churches sending money to another church to support preachers. Is that significant? Yes. The pattern of sending directly to the one preaching hold the local church accountable to making sure they support faithful men. If church “A” sent funds to church “B”, and the support a false teacher, how does church “A” know it?  We need to see the wisdom of God in providing us with approved examples as a means of establishing Biblical authority.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Chuck

Why are examples binding? 

 Establishing Biblical authority for everything we do is vital for every Christian (Col. 3:17; I Pet. 4:11). However, how people go about establishing that authority has caused much disagreement in the religious realm.  Some have argued that examples are not a reliable tool in proving that God expects and demands His people do them today. Let’s consider this matter.

The first thing we need to understand is that we are talking about approved examples. When you find followers of Christ doing things that they were punished for, obviously we are NOT to follow their example (Acts 5:1-4; I Cor. 5:1-3, etc.). We also need to see that approved examples are governed by general and specific authority. By that I mean, when we read about Christians gathering in an “upper room” to worship (Acts 20:8), we are not limited to meeting in an upper room only, because there are examples of people meeting in different places (Rom. 16:3-5, etc.). Therefore, there was the specific command to worship (Jn. 4:24), but where you do it is open, thus, it is general.

I imagine one of the easiest ways to show that approved examples are binding today is due to the fact that we are told they are. Paul, in addressing the saints in Philippi, stated, “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil. 4:9). Nothing is more powerful than being told to follow the example of Jesus Christ (I Pet. 2:21).  There is authority in imitating, which again, is why Paul said to “imitate me” (I Cor. 4:16).

The difficulty in learning about the binding of examples, is knowing what was done lawfully as a custom that isn’t binding today. After all, we know that when Christians took the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7), that it wasn’t a custom. We know there was commands to gather together regularly to remember the death of Christ (Matt. 26:26-28; I Cor. 11:23-26). So, knowing that Paul waited in Troas, 7 days (Acts 20:6), before heading back out. This way he could assemble with the saints on the first day of the week. We know we do not have authority to take the Lord’s Supper on any other day of the week.

When the above point is made, those is disagreement will then say, how come you do not greet one another with a holy kiss (Rom. 16:16)? If we state that it was the greeting custom of that day, they want to know how you know what examples are custom and what examples are binding today? The answer again goes back to understanding general and specific authority. If we had an example of Christians assembling on a different day of the week in a different place and time, then obviously the first day of the week would not be binding.  How did people greet one another in New Testament times? We might say, with a holy kiss? Yes. But was the emphasis on the “holy” or the “kiss”? Our greetings must be genuine. Did Judas greet Jesus with a “holy” kiss, when he betrayed the Lord? Of course not. 

The word greet means to welcome or salute. This is exactly how you could greet brethren even in a letter, which Paul often did (I Cor. 16:19; Phil. 4:21; Titus 3:15, etc.). Keep in mind that all examples that are binding today have a specific significance attached to it.  With Jesus resurrecting on the first day of the week, with the Holy Spirit coming upon the apostles and preaching the first time since Christ’s ascension, on the first day of the week, points to the significance of the example of the Christians taking the Lord’s Supper on that day. So, when you focus on the holy “kiss”, there isn’t any such significance attacked to the kiss in itself.  It is the holy greeting we need to focus on.

In our next article we will examine the work of the church in the area of binding examples. 

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The washing of feet

      John 13:14-15 reads, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” Does this passage command us to wash one another’s feet today?  Let’s take a closer look.

In the above text, this was the night of Christ betrayal. After supper being ended with His disciples, Christ got up and began to wash their feet. Why did He do this? Obviously, the Lord was going to teach His followers a lesson on humility and the need to put others ahead of themselves. So, yes, there are times one might literally wash the feet of a guest that has come in with dirty and weary feet.

But is this a command for all people? To show that Jesus was teaching a principle and not a literal act for all times, consider Luke 7:36-50. This is where Jesus was invited to a home and when the sinful woman came in a washed Christ’s feet with her tears, He perceived the bad attitude of the man who invited Him. Christ said these words, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for My feet, but she washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.” (vs. 44).

Now, consider what Jesus said in John 13, and here in Luke 7. Was Jesus playing the hypocrite? Why didn’t Jesus get up, ask for water and then wash the feet of the one who invited Him into his home? The fact is, it wasn’t the Lord’s place to do that. Foot washing isn’t a command. It is a custom of that day that provided an opportunity for people to show humility. The man in Luke 7, was arrogant and was selfish in his thinking.

Even though we don’t have the custom of washing the feet of our guests today, that doesn’t mean that opportunities to show humility have disappeared. On the contrary, there are many ways saints can show selflessness. One can sacrifice time, money and energy to show honor to another, as we are commanded (Rom. 12:10).    

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Who should take advantage of prayer? 

 We ought to say, “Everybody should take advantage of the opportunity to pray to the heavenly Father.”  However, many do not, and there are those who may be guilty of offering worthless words to our God.  Let’s look specifically at those who need to take advantage of prayer.

The lost

You might think that these are the very people that would be the last to pray. Truth be known, every saved person was looking for the truth, seeking divine help. As Jesus put it, if you seek you will find (Matt. 7:7). Petitioning to the Father for help in finding answers is why He is there. He will help those who are looking, since He does not want any to perish (II Pet. 3:9). Cornelius was lost, but the fact that he was saved from his sins shows there is no doubt his prayers to God helped him find the way (Acts 10:2, 4, 11:14-16).

The humble

There is no question that people need help in this world. But pride prevents many from seeking assistance (I Jn. 2:16). Those who recognize the greatness of the Lord, will humbly go to God in prayer (Lk. 18:13). This isn’t being done in an arrogant, demanding way. To do it in that way will profit nothing. One can hardly consider self as being righteous by being haughty. And we know it is the prayer of the righteous that accomplishes much (Jas. 5:16).

 The thankful

When one counts their blessings, they know who it is that is responsible for them, and the grateful want to express it (I Thess. 5:18). Whether it is for finding the truth, have a hope of heaven, or even for good health, our God deserves to be thanked often (Col. 3:15). When it comes to prayers, no one ought to be at a loss for things to say, especially when one thinks about all their blessings.

The worshipper

Al saints worship God (Jn. 4:24). You can sing praises to our great God, but you can also praise Him in prayer. Telling the Father how great He is, is something Christians want to do (Acts 4:24-30). When you read through the book of Psalms, you learn the many ways you can acknowledge God’s greatness. As the omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent being, we should never run out of words to glorify the God almighty.

The dependent

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, the Lord wanted them to ask the Father to help them frequently (Matt. 6:9-13). With His children always needing daily bread and deliverance from constant temptations, going to God in prayer is just part of our lives. Those who think they can get by without help will pray less… or not at all. But for those totally dependent upon the Father…they will pray without ceasing (I Thess. 5:17).

The penitent

When a Christian realizes they’ve sinned, they are full of so much sorrow, they know that it must lead to repentance (II Cor. 7:9). God is faithful and just to forgive those who ask for forgiveness (I Jn. 1:9).  Without the avenue of prayer, we would be in a terrible state. The question is: Do you take advantage of the privilege of prayer? If not, you should!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Chuck

Men are without excuse

After reading the first article and realizing how common those attitudes are, it might sound like men can blame their lust on women. This is incorrect – the Bible is clear that lusting upon a woman is a sin (Matt. 5:28). Boy and men face a great challenge in controlling their thoughts, and the attire of women does not excuse them. This temptation, like all temptations, can be resisted though to avoid sin (James 1:14-15).

The lust of the flesh is EVERYWHERE! Many non-Christians pay no attention to what they wear in public. Since sex sells, it is found across billboards, commercials, TV programs, movies and books. Pornography is a multimillion dollar industry. The internet is filled with filth. Amid all this, men must actively control their thoughts. Yes, you can encourage the women you are around dress modestly, but the broader public will not. So what can you do?

1. Do not become comfortable around it.
2. Do not encourage your wife or children to feel comfortable around it.
3. Do not sit and watch it. Change the channel, turn it off or walk away.
4. Do not stare and lust.
5. Do not make light of it and say, “ I am a man, it’s normal.”
6. Do not think it will not lead to other sins.
7. Do not think it is doing no harm when no one knows what you are doing.

Consider what Paul wrote: “Finally brethren, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things,” (Phil. 4:8). David was described as a man after God’s own heart and yet he succumbed to these temptations. Beware and stay strong for the devil wants to devour you (I Pet. 5:8).

                                                                                      Chuck